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About This Recipe
Magic bars have always been my FAVORITE holiday treat. I am not kidding! The second December 1st hit, I would beg my mom to make them and would always reach for them first over all our other Christmas goodies.
The second I started brainstorming recipes to go into my newest SWEETS cookbook: Cookies, Brownies, Blondies, and Bars, I just KNEW I had to create a healthier version of these to put in there since these bars are usually pretty calorie dense, and not exactly the healthiest for you…. 🤭
So I wanted to create a healthier version that still had all the delicious flavor and texture profiles, just a lot lighter. And I must say friends, mission accomplished!
These Healthier 7 Layer Magic Bars have the same melt in your mouth graham cracker crust, crunchy chopped pecans, shredded coconut, gooey sweetened condensed milk and butterscotch chips. Believe me, I sacrificed NOTHING to bring these babies come to life!
And if you love these lightened up bars, don’t miss my Sugar Cookie Bars or Cranberry Bliss Bars!
Why You’ll Love These Healthier 7 Layer Magic Bars
- They are so rich and indulgent that everyone will SWOON over them.
- So many fun flavors and textures in one bar—sweet, salty, crunchy, and gooey!
- Tremendously lightened up from their original version. Enjoy without guilt!
- Not a soul on this planet would know that they’re a healthier version of this classic treat. They’re THAT good.
- One of the easiest desserts ever to make! You are sure to impress. 😉
- Graham crackers – I used cinnamon because the cinnamon flavor is perfect for these bars! You can also use graham cracker crumbs here in the same amount gram for gram. Use gluten-free if needed.
- Egg whites – These will help the graham cracker crumbs to form the crust. Also keeps these bars lighter in place of butter.
- Shredded coconut – I used unsweetened because these bars are sweet enough on their own but sweetened works too!
- Mini chocolate chips
- Butterscotch chips
- Pecans
- Sweetened condensed milk – I used a fat free version to keep these bars a little lighter but regular is of course fine too!
- Greek yogurt – we’ll mix this with the greek yogurt to help the condensed milk spread further (while using less of it). You can also omit it and be fine.
How To Make
The full printable recipe is below, but let me walk you through the process so you know what to expect when you’re making it!
1. Preheat the oven to 325°F. Line an 8×8” baking dish with parchment paper and/or spray with non-stick cooking spray. Add graham crackers to a food processor or blender and pulse until you have fine crumbs. Add the crumbs to a medium bowl with the egg whites and stir together. Press crust into the bottom of your prepared baking dish.
2. Sprinkle the coconut, mini chocolate chips, pecans, and butterscotch chips over the graham cracker crust in the order listed.
3. In a small bowl, stir together the sweetened condensed milk, yogurt, and sweetener. Evenly drizzle the milk mixture over the toppings.
4. Bake for 18-20 minutes. Let cool to room temperature. Then, chill for at least 3 hours before removing and cutting into squares.
Store these magic bars in an airtight container in the fridge for up to two weeks. You can also store at room temperature in an airtight container for up to a week.
These bars also freeze great! To freeze, let bars set in the fridge first. Then, cut into individual bars. Wrap them in parchment paper, saran wrap, or aluminum foil. Finally, store them in an airtight Ziplock bag and put in the freezer. They will stay fresh for 3-4 months.
Tips For Easy Slicing!
- Line the pan with parchment. This way you can lift the bars from the pan and slice them with a sharp knife on a cutting board or hard surface.
- Refrigerate the bars for a few hours or overnight. These bars are best after chilling and setting in the fridge for a few hours. They are also tremendously easier to slice when chilled!
What are the seven layers in a magic bar?
A Seven Layer Magic Bar consists of graham crackers, butter (we replaced with egg whites to keep things lighter), sweetened condensed milk, semi-sweet chocolate chips, butterscotch chips, pecans (although technically, you can swap in any other chopped nut), and shredded coconut.
Can I replace the sweetened condensed milk with a different ingredient?
I would not recommend it for this recipe. It’s an essential to binding the other ingredients together. It also caramelizes in the oven, giving a sweet depth to each bite similar to dulce de leche. It just will not taste the same if you don’t use it!
Where do you find fat free sweetened condensed milk?
I have found it at every grocery store I’ve been to in the baking aisle. They also Fat Free Sweetened Condensed Milk on Amazon if you can’t find it in your local store.
Did you make this? If you snap a photo, please be sure leave a review, tag me on Instagram or TikTok at @LaurenFitFoodie or hashtag #LaurenFitFoodie so I can see your creations!
Seven Layer Magic Bars (Lightened up)
Ingredients
- 9 full sheets cinnamon graham crackers (this is one full pack)
- 1/3 cup egg whites (80g)
- 1/4 cup unsweetened shredded coconut (30g)
- 3 Tbsp mini chocolate chips (45g)
- 1/4 cup chopped pecans (30g)
- 2 Tbsp butterscotch morsels (30g)
- 1/2 cup fat-free sweetened condensed milk (164g)
- 1/4 cup plain nonfat Greek yogurt (60g) can omit
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Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Line a 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper.
- Add the graham crackers to a food processor or blender and pulse until you have fine crumbs. Transfer the crumbs to a bowl with the egg whites and stir together. Then transfer to the prepared baking dish and press down evenly (I used a piece of parchment sprayed with cooking spray to do this).
- Sprinkle the coconut, mini chocolate chips, pecans, and butterscotch chips over the graham cracker crust.
- In a small bowl, stir together the sweetened condensed milk and yogurt. Evenly drizzle the milk mixture over the toppings.
- Bake for 18-20 minutes.
- Let bars cool in the pan for 10-15 minutes. If you wish to eat warm, cut into bars. If you prefer them cold, go ahead and store them in the fridge, covered, and cut into bars when you are ready to eat. They will be easier to cut the longer they have set!
Notes
Nutrition Information
Nutrition is hand-calculated and accurate. No autocalulations! However, note that values can vary based on the brands you use and if you substitute ingredients.
