Vegan Magic Cookie Bars (Gluten-Free)

These bars are truly magic: 7 layers of deliciousness. This vegan and gluten-free take on the traditional bar has an oat and maple biscuit base, coconut condensed milk, chocolate chips, coconut flakes, nuts and lots of chocolate fudge sauce.

These bars need little introduction as the layers speak for themselves. But, if you have not seen, heard of or tried a magic cookie bar before, then you’re in for a treat. As far as I am aware, they are typically American and also known as 7-layer bars featuring a graham cracker and butter crust, dairy condensed milk, chocolate, butterscotch or fudge, coconut and nuts. As you can guess, they are traditionally not very vegan and gluten-free-friendly, so I wanted to change all that – and make them slightly more wholesome while I am at it.

Enter these Vegan Magic Cookie Bars – and they really are magical. Each bite is a flavour and texture sensation! From the crunchy oaty base to the sticky sweet, condensed milk to the melty chocolate chips and the tropical coconut flakes and sweet nuts, they are so easy to make in a few steps. The magic happens in the oven! As they bake, all the layers merge together slightly to make such a sticky, sweet, nutty delight.

Here’s what we need for the layers:

• Oats: make sure you use gluten-free certified oats where needed. These form the “biscuit” base along with the…
• Maple syrup: or another similar sticky syrup to hold the base together. This forms a lovely biscuity, crunchy and wholesome layer top with the…
• Coconut Condensed Milk: I am a little (read, A LOT) in love with the Coconut Condensed Milk from Natures Charm. It is so sticky and works exactly as regular dairy condensed milk does and is maybe even stickier and better. It does not have an overpowering coconut flavour, instead it’s just so sticky and sweet. It is perfect for binding these bars and allow the next few layers to merge together…
• Chocolate chips: or any chocolate, broken up into small pieces. Make sure it is dairy-free and use your favourite one. Then goes on the…
• Coconut flakes: the large coconut flakes work so well with the smooth chocolate and then top the coconut with…
• Nuts: I love to use pecans or walnuts (and I think they are the most traditional) but you could try using almonds or hazelnuts or try seeds for a nut-free option.

Once all the layers have been piled on top of one another, simply bake until really bubbling and golden at the edges. And now the hard part: waiting for the Vegan Magic Cookie Bars to cool down! This really is worth the wait though for the neatest slices.

Now comes the final layer:

• Chocolate fudge sauce: again, this isn’t really that traditional but it adds sucha fun element to the bars. You could also use a chocolate spread/sauce or a nut butter to drizzle over the top. Again, I used the chocolate fudge sauce from Natures Charm and it is heavenly.

These Vegan Magic Cookie Bars are so fun to make and come together with only a few steps and ingredients. It’s pretty magical with 7-ingredients can do! They are sticky, chewy, slightly crunchy, slightly melting and just so delicious. They are sweet, but not overly sweet and the nuts and coconut balance out the chocolate and condensed milk well. 

It’s hard to believe these decadent bars are primarily wholefoods and are naturally vegan and gluten-free with easy nut-free options, too. If you love these Vegan Magic Cookie Bars and want some more bar recipes to look into, how about my:

• Vegan Protein Rice Crispy Bars
• Chocolate Pecan Fudge Bars
• Chocolate Chip Matcha No-Bake Bars
• Raspberry Oat and Cacao Nib Crumble Bars
• Chocolate and Pistachio Cookie Dough Bars

Vegan Magic Cookie Bars (Gluten-Free)

• Servings: 9-12
• Time: 35 minutes plus cooling
• Difficulty: easy
• Print

These bars are truly magic: 7 layers of deliciousness. This vegan and gluten-free take on the traditional bar has an oat and maple biscuit base, coconut condensed milk, chocolate chips, coconut flakes, nuts and lots of chocolate fudge sauce.

Ingredients

• 300g oats (GF-certified if needed)
• 120ml maple syrup
• 320g Coconut Condensed Milk
• 100g chocolate chips
• 25g coconut flakes
• 100g nuts pecans and walnuts, crushed
• 4 tbsp Chocolate Coconut Fudge Sauce or other chocolate sauce/nut butter

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 160Fan/180*C and line and grease an 8-inch square pan with parchment paper.
2. Add the oats to a blender and process until small and fine. With the blender still going, gradually add in the maple (it will be sticky) and then pour into the tin. You may want to press down firmly with the bottom of a glass to make an even layer.
3. Spread the oat base with all of the coconut condensed milk and then top with even layers of the chocolate chips followed by the coconut flakes and the crushed nuts.
4. Bake for 20-25 minutes until the condensed milk is really blubbing and golden at the edges. Allow to cool fully in the tin and for the neatest slices, set in the fridge overnight and then slice the bars.
5. Drizzle the bars with the Chocolate Coconut Fudge Sauce and store in an airtight container at room temperature for 5-7 days.

I look forward to hearing what you think of these delicious Vegan Magic Cookie Bars so please let me know in the comments below. If you do make them, I would love to see so please tag me, too. I’m @nourishing.amy on Instagram and use the hashtag #nourishingamy. I’m also on Twitter, Facebook and Pinterest  – please say hello!

With magic cookie love x