This post may contain affiliate links. See my disclosure policy.
Vegan Magic Cookie Bars (also called 7 Layer Bars) is a decadent dessert that is super easy to make!
Jump to:
Magic Cookie Bars were one of the first things I ever learned to make on my own. Ever. We had a class in high school called "Home Economics" and this gem of a dessert was in the cooking unit.
I took the recipe home with me and made it for my mom - she loved them, too, so I made them quite a bit back then.
They are so addictive, and perfect for those who love tons of texture! Moist and soft with a little gooeyness and crunch. They start with a graham cracker crust, then are layered with sweetened condensed milk, chocolate chips, coconut chips, and nuts.
After going vegan, it's been on my list to figure out how to vegan-ize these dessert bars. And it's actually pretty simple!
Let's do magic.
Ingredients
For measurements, see the recipe card below.
- Melted vegan butter
- Graham crackers: we're crushing these up into crumbs for the crust
- Vegan sweetened condensed milk
- Dairy-free chocolate chips
- Coconut chips or flaked coconut
- Nuts: pecans or walnuts work!
Feel free to customize these vegan magic cookie bars. Don't like or can't eat nuts? Leave them out!
If you cannot find vegan graham crackers (many contain honey) you can use any neutral-tasting cookie. You could also make the almond crust from this recipe if you can't come up with anything else comparable.
To make graham cracker crumbs, simply crush up a bunch of graham crackers! I like to use the food processor to make things easier, but you can also put the crackers in a heavy-duty storage bag and smash them with a rolling pin. Measure after making them into crumbs.
How to Make Vegan Magic Cookie Bars
- Prepare the sweetened condensed milk ahead of time if making it from scratch (see the section below.) Let it fully cool.
- Preheat the oven to 350°F.
- Mix melted butter and graham cracker crumbs together.
- Press evenly into a 9x13 non-stick baking pan to create a graham cracker crust.
- Pour the sweetened condensed coconut milk evenly over the graham cracker crust.
- Add even layers of chocolate chips, coconut chips, and nuts on top. I like to sprinkle the top with extra chocolate chips because I like the way it looks.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes or until the edges of the coconut chips become slightly browned.
- Let cool completely, then cut into bars. The recipe card states this recipe makes 18 bars, but it really depends on how you cut them and how many you need to serve.
Some recipes call for the sweetened condensed milk to be added last. But the way I was taught was to add it right on top of the crust. I love how gooey it gets when the chocolate chips are melted right into it!
Dairy-Free Sweetened Condensed Milk
You have two options for this ingredient and both are coconut-based.
For a homemade version, this is my favorite recipe for vegan sweetened condensed milk. You will essentially let canned coconut milk (the full fat kind) and sugar simmer together until reduced and thickened. Make a double batch for these vegan magic cookie bars.
You can also buy this Sweetened Condensed Coconut Milk by Nature's Charm. One can is about 11 ounces, so use about a can and a half.
(My easy vegan fudge recipe also calls for sweetened condensed milk!)
Making Ahead & Storing
You can absolutely make this vegan magic cookie bar recipe ahead of time! I recommend making them a day in advance so they're at their freshest.
Store any leftover bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
Did you enjoy this recipe? Please leave a comment and a ⭐ star review below!
Recipe
Vegan Magic Cookie Bars (7-Layer Bars)
Ingredients
- ½ cup melted vegan butter
- 2 cups graham cracker crumbs
- 2 batches vegan sweetened condensed milk about 14-16 ounces
- 2 cups vegan chocolate chips
- 1 cup coconut chips or flaked coconut
- 1 cup chopped pecans or walnuts
Instructions
- Prepare the sweetened condensed milk ahead of time. Let cool.
- Preheat the oven to 350°F.
- Mix melted butter and graham cracker crumbs together.
- Press evenly into a 9x13 non-stick baking pan to create a graham cracker crust.
- Pour the sweetened condensed milk over the graham cracker crust.
- Add even layers of chocolate chips, coconut chips, and nuts on top.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes or until slightly browned on top. Let cool, then cut into bars.
- Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
Larissa says
I made these to bring to work, unfortunately they were too mushy. I followed the instructions to a T and made the condensed coconut milk from this site as well. It seemed like a lot of milk even though it had thickened up a bit, but I poured it all in anyway (following the directions). The one thing I did differently is I used a glass baking dish because I didn't have a metal one big enough. I baked for the same amount of time and temp. Not sure if this is why it's so soggy but I was bummed. I'm thinking of folding it in to some vanilla ice cream and eating it that way but there's a lot.
CD says
These were awesome. Everyone at work loved them! I highly recommend putting the nuts on top of the chocolate chips & then top with coconut. The nuts fall off if you put them on top. Also the coconut would get nice & toasted if it was on top.
Karissa says
Great idea 🙂
Paula (and Tim) says
I love love love all your recipes. I'm going to make this - BUT (always a but) my husband is vegan because of his heart health, Heart Association does not want someone like him with his condition to use coconut anything - pure saturated fat (I can hear his arteries closing)... is there any other possible way to make the vegan condensed milk without coconut milk?
Thanks for the response. Sorry for the run on sentence 🙂
Karissa says
Oh no! I haven't tried this personally but it should work - Try 5 cups of oat or soy milk and 3/4 cup of sugar. Simmer until it's reduced to about measure about 2 cups.