Description

These Cherry Coconut Magic Bars are a delightful layered dessert featuring a buttery graham cracker crust, sweetened condensed milk, semi-sweet chocolate chips, shredded coconut, and chopped maraschino cherries. Baked to golden perfection and optionally topped with drizzles of melted chocolate or extra coconut, these bars offer a perfect balance of sweetness and texture, making them ideal for parties or satisfying your sweet tooth at home.

Ingredients

Scale

Crust

2 cups graham cracker crumbs
½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted

Filling & Toppings

1 (14 oz) can sweetened condensed milk
1½ cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
1½ cups sweetened shredded coconut
¾ cup chopped maraschino cherries, drained and patted dry
Optional: extra shredded coconut for topping
Optional: melted chocolate for drizzling
Optional: white chocolate chips

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Instructions

Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper or lightly spray it with nonstick spray to prevent sticking.
Prepare the Crust: In a medium bowl, combine the graham cracker crumbs and melted butter. Mix them together until the mixture resembles wet sand. Press this mixture evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking pan to form a firm crust layer.
Add Sweetened Condensed Milk: Pour the entire can of sweetened condensed milk evenly over the crust, ensuring full coverage to bind the ingredients.
Layer Chocolate Chips, Coconut, and Cherries: Sprinkle the semi-sweet chocolate chips evenly over the condensed milk layer. Next, add a uniform layer of shredded coconut on top. Finally, evenly distribute the chopped maraschino cherries over the coconut layer.
Bake the Bars: Place the baking pan in the preheated oven and bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the edges turn golden brown and the center is set but still slightly soft.
Cool and Chill: Remove the bars from the oven and allow them to cool completely in the pan. For best slicing results and firmer texture, refrigerate the bars for 1 to 2 hours before cutting.
Slice and Serve: Using a sharp knife, carefully cut the cooled bars into 24 squares. Wipe the knife clean between cuts for clean edges. Optionally, drizzle with melted chocolate or sprinkle extra shredded coconut or white chocolate chips before serving.

Notes

Make sure to drain and pat dry the maraschino cherries to avoid excess moisture in the bars.
Use parchment paper to ensure easy removal of the bars from the pan.
Refrigerating before slicing helps achieve cleaner cuts and a firmer texture.
Optional toppings like melted chocolate or extra coconut add a decorative and flavorful touch.
Store bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.