Healthier Magic Cookie Bars

Magic Cookies are a healthier version of the classic magic cookie bars. They are gluten-free and naturally sweet.

Magic Cookies

Some people call them seven layer bars and some people call them magic cookie bars. I call them magic cookies because I gave them a make over because that’s what I like to do.

Magic cookie bars were  always on our holiday table, full of sugary sweetness, so GOOD and definitely in need of a healthy update. I replaced the sweetened condensed milk, graham cracker crust and semi sweet chocolate chips with better ingredients.  The end result is a moist and tasty magic cookie bar.

Here is What You will Need 

• Medjool dates &  Walnuts are combined to make a crust for the cookies in place of graham crackers
• Shredded unsweetened coconut
• Coconut milk is sweetened with Maple syrup in place of sweetened condensed milk
• Dark Chocolate Chips
• Food Processor makes it easy to combine the dates and walnuts for the crust.
• Parchment Paper to line the pan with so the crust doesn’t stick to the pan.
• 8X8 Baking Pan

How to Make This Recipe

These have to be the easiest cookies to make ever! All that needs to be done is make the crust by blending the dates and walnuts in a food processor.

Press the crust on the bottom of a pan and add the remaining ingredients in layers, then bake the cookies.

Tips

• If the dates are overly  dry soak them in water for 5 to 10 minutes before adding them to the food processor.
• Healthier magic cookies are a little more fragile than the traditional version. They will hold up better when stored in the refrigerator and will last for up to 2 weeks.
• Freeze Healthier Magic Cookie Bars by placing them on a cookie sheet in a single layer and place it in the freezer.  Once they are frozen remove them from the cookie sheet and place them in a freezer  container.  Thaw them in the refrigerator overnight or at room temperature for a few hours, or enjoy them frozen.

Recipe Variations

• Change up the nuts. Replace the walnuts with and equal amount of  pecans, almonds or cashews or use a combination of all three.
• Add a quarter to half cup of dried raisins or cranberries to the layers
• Substitute the coconut milk with your favorite nut milk
• For a vegan version, use vegan chocolate chips

Try These Healthier Treats

• Chocolate Chip Cookies
• Healthier Buckeye Balls
• Peanut Butter Blossom Cookies

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Nutrition information is provided by Nutrifox,  an online calculator and is meant to be used for informational purposes only.  Even though I try to provide accurate information, these figures should still be considered as estimates.