Magic Bars are a beloved retro treat made famous during the mid-20th century when sweetened condensed milk became a pantry staple. This layered dessert combines a buttery cornflake crust with chocolate chips, flaked coconut, and chopped walnuts, all brought together by a rich layer of Eagle Brand milk. Simple to assemble and delightfully sweet and chewy, these bars are a nostalgic favorite that blend textures and flavors in every bite. They're perfect for potlucks, holiday trays, or anytime you crave an easy dessert with big flavor.
Ingredients
- 1½ cups Corn Flakes (crushed)
- 3 tbsp granulated sugar
- 1 stick margarine (melted (½ cup))
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate morsels
- 1½ cups flaked coconut
- 1 cup walnuts (chopped )
- 14 oz sweetened condensed milk (Eagle Brand)
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare Pan
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Grease a 9×13-inch cake pan or line with parchment paper.
Step 2: Make the Crust
- In a bowl, combine crushed corn flakes, sugar, and melted margarine.
- Mix until well blended, then press the mixture evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan.
Step 3: Layer the Toppings
- Sprinkle chocolate morsels evenly over the crust.
- Add flaked coconut and then chopped walnuts in layers.
Step 4: Add Sweetened Condensed Milk
- Pour the Eagle Brand sweetened condensed milk evenly over the entire pan.
Step 5: Bake and Cool
- Bake at 350°F for 25 minutes or until lightly golden and bubbly.
- Cool completely before cutting into bars.
Tips
- Use butter instead of margarine for a richer flavor.
- Add a pinch of salt to the crust to enhance sweetness.
- Swap walnuts for pecans, almonds, or leave nuts out entirely.
- Add butterscotch chips or white chocolate chips for extra layers.
- Press the cornflake crust firmly to prevent crumbling.
- Chill before slicing for cleaner bars.
- Add a drizzle of melted chocolate on top after baking.
- Mix coconut and nuts lightly before sprinkling for even distribution.
- For a chewier bar, slightly underbake by 2 to 3 minutes.
- Add a layer of crushed graham crackers mixed with the cornflakes for a hybrid crust.
Nutrition
Calories: 264kcalCarbohydrates: 27gProtein: 5gFat: 16gSaturated Fat: 9gPolyunsaturated Fat: 4gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0.01gCholesterol: 9mgSodium: 55mgPotassium: 236mgFiber: 3gSugar: 21gVitamin A: 122IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 87mgIron: 2mg
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