Easy Magic Easter Layer Bars Recipe
Okay, peeps, gather ’round! I’m about to let you in on a little secret – a dessert that’s so easy, it’s practically criminal, and so delicious, it’s guaranteed to disappear faster than you can say “Easter bunny.” We’re talking Easy Magic Easter Layer Bars Recipe – the kind of treat that makes you look like you spent hours slaving in the kitchen, even though you really just tossed a bunch of stuff in a pan and hoped for the best (spoiler alert: it always works!). Trust me on this one, even if you can barely boil water, you can nail these bars.
My husband, bless his heart, thinks I’m a baking genius because of these things. Little does he know, it’s less genius and more “dump everything and bake.” Seriously, one time, he brought a bunch of his buddies over after a softball game, totally unannounced (men!), and I whipped these up in, like, 20 minutes flat. They were gone before the pizza even arrived. Now, whenever he wants to butter me up (pun intended!), he asks for “those amazing Easter bars” – and I just wink and pretend it’s a super complicated recipe only I know how to make. 😉 My kids love smashing the crushed cookies to make the base, it is such a fun treat for the whole family.
Why You’ll Love This Easy Magic Easter Layer Bars Recipe
- Effortless Deliciousness: Seriously, it’s the laziest baker’s dream. Dump, layer, bake. Done.
- Kid-Friendly Fun: Get the little ones involved in layering and sprinkling! It’s way more fun than folding laundry, trust me.
- Crowd-Pleaser: These bars are always a hit at parties, potlucks, or just a Tuesday night when you need a sugar fix.
- Ridiculously Adaptable: Don’t have coconut? Skip it! Want more chocolate? Go wild! It’s basically foolproof.
- Therapeutic: There’s something super satisfying about layering all those yummy ingredients. It’s like adult coloring, but with sprinkles.
How to Make It
Okay, so first, you’re gonna crush those graham crackers. I usually just throw them in a big zip-top bag and whack them with a rolling pin until they’re crumbs. You can use a food processor if you’re fancy, but who has time for that? Then, mix the crumbs with some melted butter and press it into the bottom of a baking pan. I use a 9×13, but honestly, anything close will work. Don’t stress too much about it being perfect.
Next comes the fun part – layering! Sprinkle the chocolate chips, butterscotch chips (because butterscotch makes everything better), coconut (if you’re into that kind of thing – I usually am), chopped pecans (or whatever nuts you like), and then pour the sweetened condensed milk all over everything. Make sure you get it evenly distributed!
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Finally, top it all off with those pastel Easter M&Ms or sprinkles. Pop it in the oven, bake until golden brown and bubbly. Let it cool completely (I know, it’s torture), then cut into squares. Try not to eat the whole pan in one sitting, even though it’s tempting!
Ingredient Notes
- Graham Crackers: The base of our delicious adventure. Don’t overthink it – any brand works. If you’re feeling wild, try using chocolate graham crackers for an extra layer of flavor.
- Melted Butter: Gotta bind those crumbs together, baby! I usually just microwave it because I’m impatient, but you can melt it on the stovetop if you’re feeling fancy.
- Chocolate Chips: Semi-sweet is my go-to, but milk chocolate or dark chocolate would also be amazing. Or, you know, use all three!
- Butterscotch Chips: Don’t skip these! They add a caramelly, butterscotch-y goodness that you won’t regret. I’ve tried subbing peanut butter chips before, and it was good, but not as good.
- Shredded Coconut: Okay, I know some people hate coconut, so if you’re one of those people, just leave it out. But if you’re a coconut lover like me, don’t skimp!
- Chopped Pecans: Any kind of nuts will work here – walnuts, almonds, even macadamia nuts would be delicious. If you’re allergic to nuts, just leave them out!
- Sweetened Condensed Milk: This is the magic ingredient that holds everything together. Don’t try to substitute it with anything else – it won’t work! Trust me, I’ve tried.
- Easter M&Ms or Sprinkles: Because it’s Easter, duh! Get creative with your toppings – pastel sprinkles, mini marshmallows, whatever makes you happy.
Recipe Steps:
- Crush graham crackers into fine crumbs.
- Mix graham cracker crumbs with melted butter.
- Press the mixture into the bottom of a baking pan.
- Sprinkle chocolate chips, butterscotch chips, coconut, and chopped pecans evenly over the crust.
- Pour sweetened condensed milk evenly over the layered ingredients.
- Top with Easter M&Ms or sprinkles.
- Bake until golden brown and bubbly.
- Cool completely before cutting into squares.
What to Serve It With
Honestly? Nothing. These bars are perfect on their own. But if you’re feeling fancy, you could serve them with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream. Or, you know, just eat them straight out of the pan. No judgment here.
Tips & Mistakes
- Don’t overbake them! They should be golden brown around the edges and slightly bubbly in the middle. If you bake them too long, they’ll be hard and dry.
- Let them cool completely before cutting. I know it’s tempting to dig in while they’re still warm, but trust me, they’ll be a gooey mess.
- Use a sharp knife to cut them. This will help you get clean, even squares.
- Don’t be afraid to experiment with different toppings! The possibilities are endless.
Storage Tips
Store these bars in an airtight container at room temperature. They’ll stay fresh for about a week (if they last that long!). And yes, you can totally eat them cold, straight from the fridge. I may or may not have done that for breakfast on multiple occasions. Don’t judge.
Variations and Substitutions
- Gluten-Free: Use gluten-free graham crackers. Easy peasy!
- Vegan: This one’s a little trickier, but you can find vegan graham crackers, chocolate chips, and butterscotch chips. Use coconut condensed milk instead of sweetened condensed milk.
- Different Nuts: Use whatever nuts you like – walnuts, almonds, macadamia nuts, etc.
- Different Chips: Use white chocolate chips, peanut butter chips, or even chopped-up candy bars.
- No Coconut: Just leave it out!
- Forgot the Butterscotch Chips: Okay, I’ve done this before. Just add some extra chocolate chips or a drizzle of caramel sauce. It’ll still be delicious.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Easy Magic Easter Layer Bars Recipe
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1.5 cups graham cracker crumbs
- 0.5 cup unsalted butter melted
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1 cup white chocolate chips
- 0.5 cup sweetened shredded coconut
- 1 cup chopped walnuts or pecans
- 14 oz sweetened condensed milk 1 can
- 1 cup mini candy-coated chocolates like M&Ms, for decoration
Instructions
Preparation Steps
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9x13 inch baking pan with parchment paper.
- Mix the graham cracker crumbs and melted butter in a bowl and press the mixture firmly into the prepared baking pan.
- Layer the semi-sweet chocolate chips, white chocolate chips, coconut, and chopped walnuts evenly over the graham cracker base.
- Pour the sweetened condensed milk evenly over the top of the layered ingredients.
- Bake in the preheated oven for about 25-30 minutes, or until the edges start to turn golden brown.
- Remove from the oven and immediately sprinkle mini candy-coated chocolates on top. Let them cool completely in the pan.
- Once cool, lift the bars from the pan using the parchment paper. Cut into squares and serve.
Notes
If you try this recipe, please leave a comment and rating below. I love to hear from you and always appreciate your feedback!
