Cranberry Magic Bars
User Reviews
4.5
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Prep Time
5 mins
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Cook Time
20 mins
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Cooling Time
1 hr 35 mins
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Total Time
2 hrs
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Servings
12
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Calories
227 kcal
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Course
Baked Goods
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Cuisine
American
Cranberry Magic Bars
Description
Cranberry Magic Bars start with a buttery graham cracker crumb crust spread thinly in an 8-by-8 inch pan. The layered topping features white chocolate chips, semi-sweet chocolate chips, chopped walnuts, orange-flavored dried cranberries, and sweetened shredded coconut, which together create a medley of flavors and textures. A drizzle of sweetened condensed milk pours over these ingredients, acting as a rich binder during the 20-minute baking until lightly golden edges develop and the center is nearly set, keeping an eye on the coconut to avoid burning. The result is a bar that balances sweetness and chewiness with crunch from nuts and crunchiness from crumbs beneath. These bars can be stored airtight at room temperature or frozen for longer keeping, making them practical for making ahead or gift-giving.
Ingredients
- ¼ cup butter melted (I use unsalted, but salted tames some of the sweetness)
- graham cracker crumbs scant 3/4 cup
- ¾ cup white chocolate chips
- ¼ cup chocolate chips semi-sweet
- ¼ cup walnuts chopped
- 1 cup dried cranberries I use orange-flavored dried cranberries
- 1 cup coconut flakes measured loosely and not packed, sweetened shredded
- about two-thirds can 14-ounce sweetened condensed milk (eyeball it)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350F. Line an 8-by-8-inch baking pan with aluminum foil, spray with cooking spray; set aside.
- To a large, microwave-safe bowl add the butter and heat on high power to melt, about 1 minute.
- Add the graham crackers crumbs and toss lightly with a fork to coat crumbs evenly.
- Turn mixture out into prepared pan, forming an even, smooth, flat crust layer by tapping crumbs into place with a spatula or your fingertips. The amount of crust is skimpy and barely covers the pan, but it’s okay.
- Evenly sprinkle with the white chocolate chips, chocolate chips, walnuts, cranberries, and coconut (in that order).
- Evenly drizzle sweetened condensed milk over the top.
- Bake for about 20 minutes, or until lightly golden brown around edges and the center is mostly set. Keep an extremely close eye on bars in the final minutes of baking because coconut can go from raw-looking to burnt in one minute. I’ve baked the bars in different ovens and have baked for as long as 27 minutes and as short as 20 minutes; watch your bars and not the clock.
- Place pan on a wire rack and allow bars to cool in pan for at least 2 hours, or overnight, before slicing and serving. Bars firm up as they cool.
- Adapted from Seven Layer Bars
Notes
- Store bars airtight at room temperature for up to one week or freeze for up to six months for longer storage.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 12Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 227 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 1 | |
| Calories | 227kcal | 11% |
| Carbohydrates | 29g | 10% |
| Protein | 2g | 4% |
| Fat | 13g | 20% |
| Saturated Fat | 7g | 35% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 5g | 29% |
| Cholesterol | 13mg | 4% |
| Sodium | 88mg | 4% |
| Fiber | 2g | 8% |
| Sugar | 23g | 46% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
4.5
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