These Magic Bar Macaroons have all of the flavors of one of my favorite cookie bars, Magic Bars, in macaroon form! Chocolate chips, butterscotch, and walnuts make these naturally gluten-free cookies even more delicious.
Every year since I can remember, my mom and I would make batch after batch of Magic Cookie Bars in the weeks leading up to Christmas. A bunch would be given away in cookie tins to teachers, friends, and family, while another oversized stash would get put into the garage freezer to be saved for Christmas day.
The batch that got put in the freezer never lasted all the way until Christmas due to us all sneaking out to have a Magic Cookie Bar (or three) anytime we could sneak into garage to snag them. Magic Cookie Bars are just too darn addicting – if you’ve had them, you know what I mean.
If you haven’t, let me enlighten you. A graham cracker crust is topped with sweetened condensed milk, chocolate chips, butterscotch chips, coconut, and walnuts. It gets all gooey and the sweetened condensed milk caramelizes everything. You may know them as Seven Layer Bars!
I surprisingly don’t have the recipe for magic cookie bars, but the recipe is all over the Internet. My mom and I make the classic Eagle Brand recipe, but we swap 1 cup butterscotch chips for 1 cup of the chocolate chips. So good!
Because I know I love all of the flavors in a magic cookie bar so much, I figured those flavors would be amazing applied to a different dessert. These Magic Bar Macaroons prove my case – they have all the flavor I love about magic cookie bars, combined with the sweet and chewy coconut macaroon. The recipe is very straightforward and the macaroons come together quickly in just one bowl.
The recipe does call for a chilling time of 30 minutes. I recommend chilling the batter because it makes it easier to roll the macaroons into balls without making a sticky mess, but you can skip this step if you’re using a cookie scoop or short on time.
To add a little extra chocolate and glamour to my magic bar macaroons, I dipped the bottoms of the cookies in chocolate and added a chocolate drizzle over the top. You can do either the dip or the drizzle if you don’t want to go to the trouble of both and still get that extra chocolatey goodness.
These are quick, easy, and absolutely delicious. Give some out to friends and family this holiday season, but be sure to save a few for yourself! :) Enjoy.
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Remember to #bakerita if you try the recipe!
- 2½ cups (10 oz) sweetened shredded coconut
- 3 large egg whites
- ¼ cup (3.5 oz) sugar
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- ⅓ cup mini chocolate chips
- ¼ cup butterscotch chips
- ¼ cup walnuts, chopped
- Whisk together the egg whites, sugar, salt, and vanilla extract until fully combined and slightly foamy. Stir the coconut into the egg mixture until combined. Add the chocolate chips, butterscotch chips, and walnuts and stir to combine. Wrap the bowl in plastic wrap and refrigerate until the mixture is thick, about 30 minutes.
- Heat the oven to 375°F. Line 2 large baking sheets with parchment paper. Using wet hands (or a cookie scoop), roll 1 tablespoon of the mixture at a time into balls and lay them on the prepared baking sheets, spaced about 1 inch apart.
- Bake the macaroons until light golden brown, 13 to 15 minutes, switching and rotating the baking sheets halfway through baking. Let the macaroons cool completely on the baking sheets, about 1 hour.
- After the macaroons have cooled completely, melt the semisweet chocolate in the microwave, stirring often, 1 to 3 minutes. Dip each macaroon into the melted chocolate to coat the bottom, letting the excess drip back into the bowl, then lay it on a clean sheet of parchment paper. Let cool at room temperature until the chocolate is set, about 30 minutes. If desired, use the excess chocolate to drizzle over the macaroons. Enjoy!
Mary Frances says
Oh my, such beautiful pictures! My mouth is watering looking at them. Love the idea of chocolate drizzle.
annie@ciaochowbambina says
Macaroon has always been one of my and my mom’s favorite cookies! You’ve definitely taken it to a whole new level! Love it!
Medha (Whisk and Shout) says
These look amazing! So delicious- little coconut balls of butterscotch, walnut and chocolate deliciousness :) Pinning!
Ashley says
Oh my gosh what a cool idea to turn magic bars into macaroons! I love it!
Sarah | Broma Bakery says
But like I’m pretty upset I didn’t come up with this myself. You are a genius, girl!!
Linda | The Baker Who Kerns says
I don’t know how I’ve never heard of Magic Cookie Bars! Love the idea of making them into lovely macaroons! That inside must be so chewy and delicious!
Blair @ The Seasoned Mom says
I’m scrolling through your blog and seriously drooling over every.single.recipe. Your photos are gorgeous and your sweet treats are calling my name! I can’t wait to see what you come up with next!
Rachel says
Thank you so much, Blair! :) You’re too sweet!
Vicky & Ruth- May I Have That Recipe says
Wow! This look amazing and a perfect treat to make during holiday season!
Sarah @Whole and Heavenly Oven says
Okay, how genius are these macaroons?? So much more fun (and adorable!) than the actual bar version of magic bars!
Nicole @ Young, Broke and Hungry says
These little guys are perfect for the Hanukkah dinner celebration I’m going to on Sunday night.
Annie says
Oh my gooooooshhhh!! This looks incredible! This is like the ultimate dessert, it has everything! I have got to make them! And BEAUTIFUL photos!! :)
marcie says
Magic cookie bars were my favorite growing up — my mom made them every Christmas. I love that you made cookies inspired by magic bars, and I can never turn down a macaroon! These look amazing, Rachel!
Rachel says
Sounds like our Christmas traditions came together for these cookies!! :) Thanks, Marcie!
Thalia @ butter and brioche says
LOVE these macaroons! They look so festive and ideal for Christmas too. And I bet they taste equally as delicious!
Kayle (The Cooking Actress) says
People do not play around with macaroons enough! I love the magic bar hybrid, sooo good!
Rachelle @ Beer Girl Cooks says
Um, yes?!?! Magic bar macaroons sound fantastic! Butterscotch or chocolate chips (or both!) sound perfect! P.S. They are so pretty too!
Rachel says
Thank you, thank you!! :)
Ashley | The Recipe Rebel says
Um, what?! These are the best macaroons I’ve seen!
Kristi @ My SF Kitchen says
These cookies look so amazing! My friend and I are having a baking session this weekend, and these are definitely going on the list :D
Anu-My Ginger Garlic Kitchen says
Wow! This macaroons look heavenly. Love how chewy and classic they are. Such and divine treat to make during holiday season! YUM!
Gofran says
Made this tonight – it was SO good! I will definitely make this again! Thanks for the great recipe!!