These Paleo Magic Cookie Bars are just as rich and delicious as the classic seven layer bars you know and love! This gluten-free, vegan, and refined sugar-free version has an almond flour crust and homemade coconut milk caramel.
Let’s talk about my favorite childhood dessert for a minute: Magic Cookie Bars. Also known as Seven Layer Bars or Hello Dolly Bars, these pieces of chewy, chocolatey dessert art are truly delicious and are remembered with great fondness by all who have tried them.
I really don’t know that I’ve ever had someone not love them. The combination of so many delicious things thrown on top of a buttery graham cracker crust and topped with sweetened condensed milk just really can’t end up as anything but insanely delicious.
My mom and I would make batches and batches of these for Christmas every year growing up, and when I was little I would constantly be sneaking outside to grab a bar (or three) out of the freezer in our garage where my mom would attempt to hide them from us.
Magic Cookie Bars always bring back the best memories for me and creating a healthier version of the classic, that tastes just as good, has been on my mind for a good long while now.
These bars aren’t low-calorie and you still need to eat them in moderation, but in this version, the calories come from more natural sources that aren’t loaded with preservatives and empty sugars. My dad, one of the Magic Cookie Bars biggest fans, couldn’t keep his hands off these and said they were even better than the original!
They do require a bit more effort than the originals, because instead of opening a can of sweetened condensed milk, you’ve got to make your own homemade paleo + vegan version by reducing down the coconut milk and coconut sugar, but it’s a process don’t require a lot of thought, just a distant eye and the occasional stir to keep it from burning.
If you ask me, that’s not a lot to do to cut out the major amounts of sugar that would’ve been in that can of sweetened condensed milk. Besides that, everything’s pretty much the same in terms of effort.
The crust here is made out of crushed nuts instead of the crushed graham crackers, and with a little bit of cinnamon stirred into the nut mixture, you won’t even notice the difference! The toppings are super similar, with the exception of butterscotch chips. I couldn’t think of a reasonable substitute, and the original chips weren’t too much of a loss for me. The bars are still plenty sweet and decadent without them!
I’m bringing you this favorite family recipe of mine in partnership with an awesome new show I’ve been watching called Relative Race! Relative Race is a reality tv show competition all about family – four teams compete against each other, racing to a final destination on a 10 day road trip, competing in challenges and discovering unknown family members along the way. They’re competing for $50,000, but I think they all win by discovering new family!
The show reminds me a bit of The Amazing Race, combined with Ancestery.com or one of those sites, which is so fun and interesting. On many of the episodes, the contestants connect with their newfound family members over dinner – food has such an incredibly way of connecting people :)
Episode 8 aired last week and the season finale is on this Sunday at 7PM MT. You check out the show here, and you can watch it on the BYUtv apps on Roku, Android, iOS, Apple TV, etc.
Paleo + Vegan Magic Cookie Bars
I’ve been making this new + improved version of my favorite magic cookie bars for a while now, and they’ve now become a new staple at Christmas! My sister and I fight over who gets to devour them…I’m totally in love with this recipe and truly impressed with how much they taste like the original. It’s become seriously hard to me to resist eating all of these paleo magic cookie bars once I know I’ve got some stashed in the freezer!
I’ll definitely be making these again and again, and I guarantee they won’t last too long around here! Sooo many of you have let me know you’re loving this new version as well since I posted them, and it always puts the biggest smile on my face to know I can help you enjoy magic cookie bars, no matter whether your diet requires no gluten, or no dairy, or no grains. If you want Paleo and vegan in the most decadent way, whip a batch of these up. You won’t regret it! Enjoy :)
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Paleo Magic Cookie Bars (Gluten Free + Vegan)
Ingredients
For the coconut milk caramel
- 1 (15.5 oz) can full fat coconut milk
- ½ cup coconut palm sugar
- 2 tablespoons coconut butter
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
For the bars
- 1 cup (96g) almond flour
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon sea salt
- 3 tablespoons coconut butter melted
- ¾ cup dark chocolate chips
- ½ cup coarsely chopped walnuts
- ¼ cup coarsely chopped almonds
- ½ cup unsweetened flaked coconut
Instructions
For the coconut milk caramel
In a heavy saucepan, heat the coconut milk and sugar over medium heat, stirring often, until coconut milk begins to boil. Lower heat to simmer and reduce by 1/3 to 1/2, stirring often to prevent the sugar from scorching. (If thicker, caramelized sugar begins to form on sides or bottom, use a whisk to reincorporate it.) When it reaches a similar consistency to a thick sweetened condensed milk or a drippy caramel sauce, in around 30 minutes, add 2 tablespoons coconut butter and vanilla. Stir well and remove from heat. You should end up with a little over a cup of caramel-colored, sweetened coconut milk.
For the crust/bars
- Preheat the oven to 350°F and line an 8x8" pan with parchment paper, then lightly grease with coconut oil.
- While the caramel is simmering (be sure to continue stirring every few minutes), mix together the almond flour, cinnamon, salt, and coconut butter. Sprinkle crust mixture into the prepared baking pan. Using your fingers or a spatula, press the mixture down in an even layer, covering the bottom of the baking dish.
- Sprinkle the chocolate chips, chopped nuts, and coconut flakes evenly over the crust. Pour the sweetened coconut milk evenly over everything. Bake for 25-30 minutes, until lightly browned.
- Let chill in the refrigerator for about an hour or until completely chilled and set. Cut into 16 squares with a sharp knife and serve!
Recipe Notes
Recipe adapted from She Cooks, She Cleans
This post is sponsored by Relative Race! Thanks so much for supporting the brands that support Bakerita :)
Want some more magic cookie bar goodness?!
Paleo & Vegan Dark Chocolate Macadamia Nut Magic Cookie Bars
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Gluten Free Chocolate Hazelnut Magic Cookie Bars
How to Philosophize with Cake says
July 6, 2014 at 10:48 amWow! Those look incredible! Can’t believe they are paleo either. Definitely saving this recipe! :D
Zainab @ Blahnik Baker says
July 6, 2014 at 4:47 pmYou know how to make dreams and memories come alive. Thee bars look incredible. Love all the layers and that they are paleo!! Yummmm!!!
Meriem @ Culinary Couture says
July 6, 2014 at 10:26 pmThese are FAB! I love all of your paleo desserts Rachel!
Taylor @ Food Faith Fitness says
July 7, 2014 at 3:38 amSecret: I’ve never had a magic cookie bar. Isn’t that CRAZY?! We didn’t eat them growing up in Canada.
However, I have had them on my “to try and make healthy” list for all the evers. So, I am going to marry these.
Pinned!
Rachel Conners says
July 7, 2014 at 6:38 amThanks for the pin, Taylor! I’d love for your thoughts if you try them!!
Consuelo - Honey & Figs says
July 7, 2014 at 3:51 amI saw these on Instagram when you posted them and, let me tell you that I’m still drooling over them. They look too good to be real! I cannot belive they’re healthy! xx
Nancy says
July 7, 2014 at 4:13 amThanks for sharing our recipe, and I’m glad you enjoyed them. Your photos are beautiful!
Rachel Conners says
July 7, 2014 at 6:37 amThanks for the recipe, Nancy!
[email protected] says
July 7, 2014 at 6:19 amThese bars look so dang tasty, I’m seriously considering making them for a 2nd breakfast this morning. Gorgeous photos, Rachel!
Jules @ WolfItDown says
July 7, 2014 at 6:21 amHoly smoke – these are beautiful, and there is no doubt in my mind that they taste out. of. this. world!
I love the old-fashioned way of baking, especially around christmas times. I remember my grandmother would always have piles of tins in her hall filled to the rim with all types of different biscuits throughout December, and the children were usually to be found not far from there :P
BUT there should be no shame in treating yourself to one of these any time of the year, I’d take mine with a nice cup o’ coffee :D
You’ve got a beautiful blog, and I’m gonna take a little dive into the archive now, I love the photographs as well, stunning! I hope you have a great start to your week :) x
dina says
July 7, 2014 at 6:25 amwhat a great recipe. so healthy!
Alessandra @ the foodie teen says
July 7, 2014 at 12:12 pmWoah, where have these been all my life?! You’re amazing! I LOVE coconut milk caramel, and I love that these are so easy but have 7 components! The name of 7-layer dips and nineteen-layer cookies (made that one up!) always intimidates me, but I love that you can just pour over caramel and shove them in the oven!
Cate @ Chez CateyLou says
July 7, 2014 at 1:41 pmI love magic cookie bars / 7 layer bars! These look just like the real thing, or maybe even better! I love the sound of the nut crust – yum!
Ashley says
July 7, 2014 at 5:07 pmI never knew what seven layer bars were until I was in college! Which is just crazy! These look awesome – you have me craving dessert now!
Amy @ Elephant Eats says
July 8, 2014 at 10:10 amI LOVE magic bars. Love this healthier take on them :)
Kayle (The Cooking Actress) says
July 8, 2014 at 5:46 pmso smart! i love how decadent and sinful these are while still being natural and paleo!
Nora (A Clean Bake) says
July 9, 2014 at 11:41 amOh god stop (don’t stop). These are killing me (they are amazing). No seriously though I don’t know how you achieved this but I can’t believe these are actually grain free. Amazing job!
Chris @ The Café Sucré Farine says
July 9, 2014 at 1:07 pmWow, these look spectacular. I don’t think I’d miss anything from the traditional recipe. An amazing adaptation!
Rachel Conners says
July 11, 2014 at 5:50 pmThanks so much, Chris!
Beth @ bethcakes says
July 9, 2014 at 8:41 pmThese bars look awesome, Rachel! I’ve heard of seven layer bars and Hello Dolly bars, but somehow have never had one. Your healthier version looks so great! And um, coconut milk caramel sounds fantastic. Pinning! :)
Nicole ~ Cooking for Keeps says
July 9, 2014 at 9:07 pmHoly cow, these look ah-mazing!
domfas @ perchancetocook.com says
July 14, 2014 at 9:17 pmThese look amazingly delicious, yum!! What a great idea!
Lisa | Mummy Made.It says
August 4, 2014 at 4:01 pmI only bake desserts with paleo friendly ingredients (aka clean and healthy!) and no one is ever the wiser!! I love tricking people into eating healthier versions of their old favourites
Rachel Conners says
August 4, 2014 at 8:12 pmIsn’t it the best?! Thanks for stopping by Bakerita, Lisa! :)
Hope says
August 6, 2014 at 4:41 pmI just made these today. They literally just came out of the oven. Not sure if they are still suppose to be liquid so should i put them in the fridge or wait a little bit?
Rachel Conners says
August 6, 2014 at 6:09 pmHi Hope! Yes, I would definitely put them in the fridge until they’re completely chilled and set before cutting. Hope you like them!
Dana says
November 12, 2014 at 2:40 pmthese look incredible!! Starbucks just released Hello Dolly bars here in Canada but I can’t try them as I can’t have gluten. And I’m Paleo, so these looks perfect for me. I have never heard of coconut butter though, do you make it yourself? I’ve got a block of coconut cream, and also coconut flakes (the big chunky kind, not the shredded flakes) so perhaps I can process it into a butter texture. If not, is there something else to substitute? I’ll try googling recipes and maybe see if I can find it next time I’m at the store. Haven’t even heard of it before.
thanks so much. I’m sure I’m going to love these! :)
Rachel Conners says
November 12, 2014 at 5:53 pmHi Dana! You can either make or buy your own coconut butter. The coconut flakes you have are perfect, and are exactly what I used to make mine. I have a recipe for toasted coconut butter here, for regular coconut butter just skip the toasting and put the coconut flakes straight into the food processor. You can also buy coconut butter. I find it at health food stores, Artisana is a great brand, but it does tend to be expensive. Thanks so much for stopping by, I hope you love these bars!!
Neli @ Delicious Meets Healthy says
February 7, 2015 at 5:43 pmLove these cookie bars! They sound really delicious and I can’t wait to try them! Would love to also include them in a recipe roundup for Valentine’s Day! May I?
Rachel Conners says
February 7, 2015 at 6:03 pmSure! As long as it links back here, feel free to include the bars in your roundup.
Leslie says
July 15, 2015 at 10:27 amI never post comments but I’ve made these twice now and they are so damn GOOD. I add a layer of a pureed medjool dates and they’re totally addictive
Rachel says
July 15, 2015 at 10:38 amThe date idea sounds delicious – I’ll have to try that!! So glad you like them, Leslie. Thanks for commenting! :)
Adee says
April 24, 2017 at 3:46 pmHi Rachel,
I love love love your recipes! I wanted to say thank you!
Also for this recipe, what are some options that I can use to substitute for the coconut butter?
Best,
Adee
Rachel says
April 25, 2017 at 11:44 amHi Adee, you could use coconut oil instead. Thanks so much for the love, I’m so thrilled you enjoy my recipes! Hope you love this one too :)
Debs says
April 25, 2017 at 1:50 amLove these Rachel!!!! I love making a lighter version of something classic. And these may be the best healthy-ier version of anything I’ve seen. And those photos
Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice says
April 25, 2017 at 4:29 amMagic cookie bars are the best! Can you believe I’ve never made my own?! Yikes, I need to get on that, and soon! I’m wishing I had this ENTIRE batch for breakfast since my stomach is growling! :) Looks delicious, Rachel!
Rachel says
April 25, 2017 at 11:35 amThanks so much Gayle – magic cookie bars are definitely one of the best thing ever!
cakespy says
April 25, 2017 at 5:09 amWhat a clever “cleaned up” interpretation of this classic treat. I am intrigued!
Pamela @BrooklynFarmGirl says
April 25, 2017 at 11:43 amThese cookie bars look delicious and extremely addictive!
Bethany @ Athletic Avocado says
April 25, 2017 at 2:54 pmAhhh I kinda wish I didn’t see this recipe because I’m on Whole30 and I wish I could eat one of these cookie bars! I bet they taste soooo magically delicious ;)
Rachel says
April 25, 2017 at 4:39 pmHi Bethany – ahh so tragic! I’ve got a Whole30 friendly recipe coming tomorrow though ;) thanks so much girl!
Denisa Melinte says
April 30, 2017 at 7:31 amHi! I’m planing on making these this week, and was looking over the ingredients. I’m not sure how much canned coconut milk I need to ise. We use ml and grams where i’m from. I googled 115 onces and the result came back 3400 ml. It seemes a lot. How many cans do I need?
Thanks,
Denisa
Rachel says
May 1, 2017 at 9:43 amHi Denisa, it’s not 115 ounces, but one 15.5 oz can of coconut milk, which would be about 440g. It’s one standard size can here in the US. Does that help? Hope you enjoy the bars!
Simone says
May 1, 2017 at 12:21 pmI have never had a magic cookie bar (I’m from the Netherlands and don’t think they are sold here) but man I want to make these!! Pinning the recipe to make later for sure!
Rachel says
May 1, 2017 at 12:42 pmI hope you love them Simone – they’re one of my favorites, and I hope your first foray into Magic Cookie Bars is a delicious one :) enjoy!
Denisa says
May 5, 2017 at 5:52 amHi! I’m planing on making these this weekend, but have no idea how much cocnut milk I need. I googleled form oz to ml and the result was 3400 ml which seems a lot. Help :-). How much milk do I need?
Rachel says
May 5, 2017 at 1:21 pmHi Denisa – I think you’re misreading! It’s one 15.5 oz can – not 115 oz. I’m going to fix it on the post so no one else makes the mistake. Hope this helps, and hope you love the bars.
Denisa says
May 6, 2017 at 5:05 amThank you! Can’t wait to sink my teeth into them :-)
Elaine says
October 12, 2017 at 3:40 pmRachel as always you rock! I love the adaptation of 7 layer bars! Like you, I grew up making these and our whole family love them. Last year I was determined to make or find a replacement for condensed milk, before I knew you had this recipe of course. I found a sweetened coconut condensed milk from Nature’s Charm. It’s good and does the trick. The ingredients are coconut milk, sugar and salt , that’s it. So if your in a pinch and want to make grainfree 7 layer bars, the Nature’s Charm coconut condensed milk is a great alternative, but I am sure not as good as your homemade version. Thank you for sharing your brilliant recipes!
Rachel says
October 12, 2017 at 4:14 pmThanks so much Elaine! I actually picked up a can of that sweetened coconut condensed milk and have been meaning to try it with these. Thanks for letting me know how it is! Hope you’ll give these a try this year :)
Alyssa says
December 2, 2017 at 1:28 pmI just made these and they are fantastic!! I’ve never had magic bars before and they might be one of the best things I’ve ever eaten. Thanks so much for creating an awesome paleo dessert option!
Rachel says
December 4, 2017 at 9:36 amYay so thrilled to hear you’re loving them! One of my faves, too. Thanks Alyssa!
Jessica says
December 18, 2017 at 4:05 pmCan I use coconut oil instead of coconut butter?
Rachel says
December 18, 2017 at 4:17 pmYes that will work! Enjoy :)
Elsa says
May 31, 2018 at 5:00 pmMade these today but the caramel topping stayed on the surface rather than sinking down as the pictures suggest. Followed directions carefully so not sure why this happened. They taste delicious though.
Rachel says
June 1, 2018 at 8:23 amHi Elsa, I’m guessing what must have happened is the caramel got too thick so it wasn’t thin enough to drip between the nuts/chocolate/coconut. Next time, I’d try cooking for a little less time – it should be the consistency of sweetened condensed milk or a drippy caramel sauce. I’ll update the recipe to make it more clear. Glad you’re still enjoying them though, sorry for the trouble!
Lise-marie says
July 25, 2018 at 12:07 pmHello!
I love your blog and alternative healthy options. Just a quick question. Did you know that raw cacao contains a very high percentage of omega fatty acids. So, while this recipe is amazingly vegan, gluten free and virtually sugar free, it contains rancid fats, because cacao is heat sensitive. Do you have an alternative to add instead of chocolate nibs?
Looking forward to hear from you!
Rachel says
July 30, 2018 at 10:19 amHi Lise-Marie, this recipe doesn’t use cacao nibs, it uses dark chocolate. Feel free to leave out the chocolate if it bothers you. Enjoy!
Shell says
August 19, 2018 at 2:51 pmDo you mean to oil the parchment paper?
Rachel says
August 19, 2018 at 4:05 pmHi Shell, just put a little coconut oil on the parchment paper to help prevent the bars from sticking to the paper. Enjoy!
Tamz says
December 26, 2018 at 5:50 pmThese turned out really well for gluten free and paleo. I used vegan butter in place of the coconut butter. I would make them again.
Rachel says
December 26, 2018 at 5:59 pmSo glad you enjoyed them, Tamz!
Alison says
January 4, 2019 at 3:09 amI would like to make these so my partner can try them. Unfortunately he can’t eat certain nuts (walnuts, hazelnuts, Brazil nuts ok, almonds, cashews and pistachios definitely no!) I was wondering if I could use extra walnuts for the almonds on top and if I could substitute coconut flour for almond flour in the base?? Thank you!
Rachel says
January 4, 2019 at 10:49 amHi Alison, you can definitely sub the nuts that he can eat for whichever ones he can’t in the topping. For the base, coconut flour should work, I’d just use 1/3 of the amount called for (1/3 cup, in this case) OR you can pulse walnuts in a blender/food processor until they make a flour-y texture and use that instead. Enjoy!!