• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Best Cookie Recipes
  • Cookie Recipes
  • Baking Tips
  • Classic Cookies
  • Meet Rebecca
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Cookie Recipes
  • Baking Tips
  • Classic Cookies
  • Meet Rebecca
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
  • search icon
    Homepage link
    • Cookie Recipes
    • Baking Tips
    • Classic Cookies
    • Meet Rebecca
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
  • ×
    Home / Bar Cookie

    Christmas Magic Bars - 7 Layer Bars Holiday Recipe

    Published on December 1, 2022 by Rebecca Johnston | 14 Comments

    Share
    Pin
    Post
    Share
    5 from 12 votes
    Jump to Recipe

    There is just something magical in making Christmas Magic Bars. It could be the name or it could be all the wonderful layers of ingredients combined to make a delicious cookie bar perfect for the holidays.

    Christmas Magic Bars

    You've likely made or even enjoyed a bite of the Traditional Magic Cookie Bars recipe found on a can of Eagle Brand Sweetened Condensed Milk. I like to call them Hello Dolly Bars and they are of course a FAVORITE cookie recipe.

    Freaky Friday Banner

    I'm excited to share Christmas Magic Bars with you a recipe from Life Currents. This recipe is fantastic, with chocolate, peppermint, nuts and more you are sure to be in the Christmas Spirit with just one bite.

    Freaky Friday is a blog hop where we make recipes from fellow blogger friends! And is hosted by Michaela from An Affair From The Heart who put it all together. Please make sure to check out the other fantastic blog hop recipes linked in the bottom of this post.

    Christmas Magic Bars

    It's Freaky Friday on the Blog, which means a group of fellow bloggers and I all choose a recipe from each other to make and share. Debi from Life Currents shares wonderful recipes that are mostly vegetarian. So make sure to take a peek. I'll share more about Debi below.

    Shopping List for Peppermint Magic Bars

    Crust. The crust is made from chocolate cookie crumbs. Think Oreo's but any chocolate cookies crushed will work great! Mixed with Butter and Peppermint Extract for a truly fantastic base to this recipe.

    Layers. Chocolate Chips (Semi Sweet), Almond Slivers, Peppermint Bark Chunks, Coconut and of course Sweetened Condensed Milk.

    Topping. Crushed Peppermints. It's an added touch that is fantastic!

    Christmas Hello Dolly Bars

    Kitchen Supplies Needed

    I like to use a 9x13 glass dish for baking seven layer bars or a ¼ sheet baking sheet.

    How to make Christmas Magic Bars

    Preheat the oven to 350 F Degrees. Spray baking dish with cooking spray and set aside. Use a 9x13 baking dish or ¼ baking sheet.

    Gather all the ingredients needed so you don't leave anything out and make sure to grab a medium size mixing bowl to make the cookie crust in. Some of my favorite mixing bowls are Corel Glass Mixing Bowls. I love all the difference sizes.

    Cookie Crumb Crust

    Add melted butter and peppermint extract to chocolate cookie crumbs. You can even substitute chocolate graham cracker crumbs if you wish. Mix these ingredients all together before pressing into bottom of prepared baking dish.

    Use the back of a fork to press cookie crumbs forming a crust in bottom of the pan.

    Chocolate Cookie Crust

    I know what you are thinking. This can't be enough for a good crust. Trust me here. I feel your pain. But this is the perfect amount for this recipe.

    You don't need a thick layer and in fact the thin layer really is best here.

    Layering Magic

    The fun part begins by adding the layering ingredients. Start with a layer of Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips. A great substitution would be dark chocolate chips or even white chocolate chips.

    Chocolate Chips on Magic Bars

    Top the layer of chocolate chips with some Peppermint Bark Chunks. I found these from Ghirardelli. They are a smooth white chocolate chunk loaded with peppermint. Delicious.

    White Chocolate Chunks on Magic Bars

    Next comes sweetened coconut flakes and slivered almonds. Pour sweetened condensed milk all over the top. It's next to impossible to spread it evenly at this point so make sure as you drizzle you are filling in all the nooks and crannies as evenly as possible.

    Coconut layer for Magic Bars

    Layer magic cookie bars evenly so that when cut into bars each bar cookie is loaded with all the yummy flavors.

    Bake Christmas Magic Bars under edges are golden and bubbly. Remove from oven and allow to fully cool. Don't try to cut these bad boys too soon. It's a hot delicious mess and next to impossible to remove the bars.

    Peppermint Magic Bars for Christmas

    As the bars cool they will harden ever so slightly which makes it possible to lift out and actually hold like a bar cookie when eating. Garnish bars with crushed peppermint candy for an added bonus touch.

    Storage

    Cookie bars should be stored in an airtight container. I typically leave them in the baking dish and cover with plastic wrap and foil. Cookies will last about a week but always best if enjoyed within 2-3 days

    Cookie Exchange or Holiday Party Ideas

    I love a good Cookie Exchange and these Christmas Magic Bars are always a hit. It's the time of year when sharing Christmas cookies is not only acceptable, it's encouraged! So make up a batch and bring to your work Christmas Party this Christmas season.

    A Cookie Exchange is where a group gathers all bringing cookies to exchange with one another. There are a variety of rules that each party host sets but essentially you bring a large amount of cookies and you swap cookies with others at the party.

    You come home with a variety of Christmas Cookies or Bars or Treats which are PERFECT to making Holiday Cookie Trays to deliver to friends and family. Of course you can enjoy some of the cookies yourself too.

    Peppermint Magic Bars

    Substitution Ideas or Additions for Christmas Magic Cookie Bars

    Chocolate Chips. Try a layer Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips or Dark Chocolate Chips. Even try White Chocolate Chips for fun too.

    Cookie Crust. Oreo Cookie crumbs are ideal for the Oreo crust. Any chocolate cookie can be crushed into cookie crumbs and used. Graham Crackers can also be found in Chocolate flavor and used for this recipe too.

    Additions. Christmas M&M candies are also a fun addition with the red and green M&M's. Or add a few Oreo Cookies pieces on top as well. Holiday Sprinkles could also be fun and great idea too.

    Garnish. The recipe calls for crushed candy peppermint. I love to add a white chocolate drizzle to the cooled bars before adding the peppermint. It helps keep the peppermint pieces in place too and it's delicious.

    Family’s Favorites

    7-layer bars can be made in so many ways. We also love this Magic Cookie Bar recipe made with cranberries and chocolate from Devour Dinner. It has a buttery graham cracker crust for an easy holiday dessert and perfect treat you will love.

    Peppermint Magic Bars

    Freaky Friday Christmas Cookie Exchange

    Let me tell you more about Debi from Life Currents. Debi has a love of life and food and shares all of them on her website. One of her favorite recipes is a Mermaid Cheesecake that I know my little grand daughter would adore.

    She is a great resource for preserving foods, and staying healthy. She knows a thing or two about preparing fish as well. Her blog is mainly about food but she does occasionally throw in additional topics that are near and dear to her.

    I hope you will hop on over to Life Currents and check out Debi's recipes. I know you will find a recipe or two that catches your eye.

    See all of our 2022 Freaky Friday Holiday Cookie Exchange Recipes

    Hosted by - An Affair from the Heart
    1. An Affair from the Heart - Scotcheroo Pinwheels
    2. Best Cookie Recipes - Christmas Magic Bars
    3. Family Around the Table - Snickerdoodle Bars
    4. Feast + West - Lemon Drop Cookies
    5. The Foodie Affair - Christmas Oreo Balls
    6. Fresh April Flours - Hot Cocoa Cookies
    7. Hostess at Heart - Chocolate Bark
    8. Kathryn's Kitchen Blog - Cookies and Cream Cookie Recipe
    9. Life Currents - Almond Meltaways Cookies
    10. The Speckled Palate - Snowball Cookies
    11. Sue Bee Homemaker - Italian Lemon Ricotta Cookies 
    12. Take Two Tapas - Avalanche Cookies 
    13. The Wimpy Vegetarian - Easy Christmas Butter Cookies
    Christmas Magic Bars
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Rate this Recipe
    5 from 12 votes

    Christmas Magic Bars

    Seven layer bars loaded with Peppermint on a chocolate crust. Christmas Magic Bars are a festive fun dessert bar recipe perfect for the holidays.
    Prep Time10 minutes mins
    Cook Time25 minutes mins
    Total Time35 minutes mins
    Prevent your screen from going dark
    Servings: 24

    Ingredients

    • ½ Butter
    • 1 ½ Cup Crushed Chocolate Cookies
    • 1 Cup Chocolate Chips
    • ½ Cup Peppermint Bark Chunks
    • ½ Cup Slivered Almonds
    • 1 Cup Sweetened Coconut
    • 14 ounces Sweetened Condensed Milk
    • ¼ teaspoon Peppermint Extract
    • ½ Cup Peppermint Candy Crushed

    Instructions

    • Preheat Oven to 350 Degrees
    • Melt butter in a microwave safe dish and combine with Peppermint Extract
    • Combine with crushed chocolate cookies and press into bottom of 9x13 baking dish
    • Pour Sweetened Condensed Milk over crust
    • Top with Chocolate Chips, Peppermint Bark Chunks, Coconut, and Almond Slivers.
    • Bake at 350 degrees for 25-30 minutes. Or until edges are golden brown and center is set.
    • Top with crushed Peppermint Candy
    • Allow to fully cool before cutting into squares.

    Notes

    Substitution Ideas or Additions for Christmas Magic Cookie Bars

    Chocolate Chips. Try a layer Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips or Dark Chocolate Chips. Even try White Chocolate Chips for fun too.
    Cookie Crust. Oreo Cookie crumbs are ideal for the Oreo crust. Any chocolate cookie can be crushed into cookie crumbs and used. Graham Crackers can also be found in Chocolate flavor and used for this recipe too.
    Additions. Christmas M&M candies are also a fun addition with the red and green M&M's. Or add a few Oreo Cookies pieces on top as well. Holiday Sprinkles could also be fun and great idea too.
    Garnish. The recipe calls for crushed candy peppermint. I love to add a white chocolate drizzle to the cooled bars before adding the peppermint. It helps keep the peppermint pieces in place too and it's delicious.
    Tried this recipe?Mention @bestcookierecipes or tag #bestcookierecipes!
    Show Nutrition Information Hide Nutrition Information
    Calories: 232kcal | Carbohydrates: 34g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 0.04g | Cholesterol: 3mg | Sodium: 136mg | Potassium: 109mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 24g | Vitamin A: 45IU | Vitamin C: 0.1mg | Calcium: 78mg | Iron: 2mg

    Nutrition Disclaimer

    All nutrition values are approximate and calculated by a plugin and are provided as a courtesy. Adding or subtracting ingredients will change the nutritional value.

    Share
    Pin
    Post
    Share
    « Christmas Sugar Cookie Pie Bars Recipe
    Pistachio Pudding Cookies with White Chocolate Chips Recipe »

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Michaela

      December 02, 2022 at 7:10 am

      5 stars
      I adore magic bars and this recipe is positively PERFECT for Christmastime!

      Reply
      • Rebecca Johnston

        December 03, 2022 at 9:01 pm

        I agree! Such a fun recipe for the holidays

        Reply
    2. Sandra

      December 02, 2022 at 9:45 am

      5 stars
      Aren't these beauties! What a great pick for FF cookie exchange. Peppermint is my favorite holiday flavor. I NEED to bake this one asap!

      Reply
    3. Debi

      December 04, 2022 at 7:34 am

      5 stars
      This was a really fun cookie recipe to develop. Peppermint is so near and dear to my heart. I'm so glad you loved these bars as much as I do.

      Reply
    4. Erin

      December 04, 2022 at 10:04 am

      5 stars
      OMG. Magic bars are always so good, and I love the holiday twist on this version. What a delicious combination!

      Reply
    5. Susan

      December 04, 2022 at 2:00 pm

      5 stars
      I've never even heard of Magic Bars, and I have been clearly missing out! These sound and look amazing!!!

      Reply
    6. Kathryn

      December 04, 2022 at 2:37 pm

      5 stars
      These bars are loaded with so many amazing and delicious flavors! I especially love the peppermint pieces on top. Perfect holiday treat!

      Reply
    7. Julie

      December 04, 2022 at 6:23 pm

      5 stars
      I can see why they call these bars magic. I just love all of those amazing layers of flavor. I'll be taking these beauties to work with the recipe because everyone is going to be asking for it.

      Reply
    8. Sue Ringsdorf

      December 04, 2022 at 7:27 pm

      5 stars
      These bars are truly MAGIC! My family gobbled them up and I'll be making them again soon!

      Reply
    9. Jennifer

      December 06, 2022 at 8:24 am

      5 stars
      My best friend from middle school introduced me to these bars and she always called them "Holly Dollies." When I make this recipe this weekend for my tennis party I am going to call them Holly Jolly Bars since they are perfect for this holiday season!

      Reply
    10. Ellen

      December 08, 2022 at 7:38 am

      5 stars
      My family is in love with this peppermint version of one of our favorite bar treats! Couldn't be better!

      Reply
    11. Lynn @ Fresh April Flours

      December 09, 2022 at 3:41 pm

      5 stars
      I love all the things happening in these bars! SO FUN!

      Reply
    12. Susannah

      December 09, 2022 at 8:46 pm

      5 stars
      These are PURE MAGIC! I loved the festive additions!

      Reply
      • Rebecca Johnston

        December 23, 2022 at 7:35 pm

        Thanks Susannah! So happy to hear you loved them!

        Reply

    Submit a Comment Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    Devour Dinner Head Shot

    Making YOUR Day More Delicious!

    Find the Joy in baking and making memories with delicious cookie recipes.  Hi!  I'm Rebecca and I hope you will explore this site and find some of the BEST Cookie Recipes you've ever tried, all in one place!

    More about me →

    Latest

    • Close up image of a hand holding a Peach Pie Bar.
      Peach Pie Bars
    • Fig Jam Cookies
      Fig Jam Cookies
    • Peanut Butter Stuffed Chocolate Cookies
      Peanut Butter Stuffed Chocolate Cookies
    • Subway Chocolate Chip Cookies Footlong
      Subway Footlong Cookie Copycat Recipe

    Popular Categories

    • Classic Cookies
    • Drop Cookies
    • Cake Mix Cookies
    • No Bake Cookies

    Visit Our Sister Site!

    Devour Dinner Head Shot

    Making YOUR Day More Delicious!

    Find the Joy in baking and making memories with delicious cookie recipes.  Hi!  I'm Rebecca and I hope you will explore this site and find some of the BEST Cookie Recipes you've ever tried, all in one place!

    More about me →

    Latest

    • Strawberry White Chocolate Macadamia Nut Cookies
      Strawberry Macadamia Nut Cookies with White Chocolate Chips
    • Pencil Cookies made with Wafer Sugar cookies
      Pencil Wafer Cookies
    • Chocolate Chip Walnut cookies
      Chocolate Chip Walnut Cookies
    • Edible Snickerdoodle Cookie Dough
      Edible Snickerdoodle Cookie Dough

    Popular Categories

    • Classic Cookies
    • Drop Cookies
    • Cake Mix Cookies
    • No Bake Cookies

    Visit Our Sister Site!

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • About
    • Privacy Policy
    • Disclosure Policy
    • Contact

    Connect

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube

    Join My FREE Newsletter

    Success! You have signed up for our email list.

    Copyright © 2024. All Rights Reserved. Devour Dinner