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    Home » Recipes » Recipes

    Tropical Magic Bar Cookies

    Published by Melissa on November 1, 2012 | Updated February 6, 2025 | 30 Comments

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    An easy to put together bar cookie with a tropical twist. A graham cracker crumb crust topped with layers of white chocolate chips, Coconut M&M’s, macadamia nuts, shredded coconut, and a sweet gooey lime filling.

    Tropical Magic Bar Cookies

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    Magic Cookie Bars, 7 Layer Bars, Hello Dolly Bars what ever you like to call them, are a very popular bar cookie. You can even find the recipe on the back of sweetened condensed milk cans and boxes of graham cracker crumbs. I decided to change up this sinfully rich, ooey, gooey treat and give it a tropical flare with a little lime zest, macadamia nuts and Coconut M&Ms.

    Tropical-Magic-Bars-Collage

    I added the zest of two limes to the sweetened condensed milk and the lime flavor is a perfect match for the chocolate, nuts and coconut. I made the bars with coconut oil, but the crust didn’t set up as firmly as if I’d used butter, so I put butter in the recipe below. If you love citrus desserts and magic bars, you’re going to love this version.

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    5 from 1 vote

    Tropical Magic Bar Cookies

    Cook Time25 minutes mins
    Additional Time30 minutes mins
    Total Time55 minutes mins
    Servings: 16 bar cookies
    Author: Barbara Schieving
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    Ingredients 

    • 2 cups graham cracker crumbs
    • ¼ cup sugar
    • ½ cup butter melted
    • 1 can 14 oz. sweetened condensed milk
    • finely grated lime zest from two limes
    • 1 cup diced macadamia nuts
    • ⅔ cup white chocolate chips
    • ⅔ cup Coconut M&M’s
    • 1 ¼ cup sweetened shredded coconut

    Instructions

    • Preheat oven to 350º.
    • In a large bowl combine graham cracker crumbs and sugar. Add butter and toss until combined. Press into the bottom of a 9 x 13 baking pan coated with cooking spray.
    • Bake until firm, approximately 10 minutes. Cool on a wire rack for approximately 20 minutes.
    • In a small bowl, combine sweetened condensed milk and lime zest. Set aside.
    • When crust is cooled, top with macadamia nuts, white chocolate chips and M&Ms. Pour condensed milk over the top, spreading to cover completely. Sprinkle coconut evenly on top of condensed milk.
    • Bake until coconut is toasted, 10 to 15 minutes. Transfer to rack to cool completely before cutting.

    Today’s post is week 6 of my 12 Weeks of Christmas Treats hosted by Brenda, Meal Planning Magic. Be sure and check out all of the fabulous treats the other 12 weeks of Christmas Treats bakers baked up for this week.

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    « Torta di Mele (Apple Cake)
    Skillet Chocolate Chip Cookie »
    about us

    About Melissa & Barbara

    As of June 2022 Melissa Griffiths now is the one adding recipes. So think of it as Barbara Bakes, and Melissa too! Melissa and Barbara have been blogging friends for over 10 years and when Barbara was ready to retire and spend more time with her family, Melissa took over the site. Read more...

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    Comments

      5 from 1 vote (1 rating without comment)

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Kristy @ Sweet Treats & More

      November 07, 2012 at 8:59 pm

      Oh my word, these bars look wonderful!!

      Reply
    2. Maureen | Orgasmic Chef

      November 06, 2012 at 3:36 pm

      I haven’t had one of these since I left the states. No graham crackers here but I’ve learned of a make-do so I’ll give these a try. They look perfectly tropical. It’s summer here so very fitting indeed.

      Reply
    3. cindy

      November 05, 2012 at 10:51 pm

      Love the coconut M&M’s, this has got to be delicious.

      Reply
    4. Kitchen Belleicious

      November 05, 2012 at 6:15 am

      anything with sweetened condensed milk and graham crackers crumbs is top notch in my book! These truly are magical! Haven’t had one in forever, i think its time to change that

      Reply
    5. Katarina

      November 03, 2012 at 8:56 pm

      These look really yummy! I love coconut! Have a great Sunday!

      Reply
    6. teresa

      November 03, 2012 at 8:01 pm

      i want one! these are wonderful, i love the tropical spin!

      Reply
    7. Annamaria @ Bakewell Junction

      November 03, 2012 at 2:53 pm

      The bars look so pretty. Nice addition for a Christmas cookie platter.

      Reply
    8. Susan

      November 03, 2012 at 10:48 am

      These sound fantastic, Barbara! I didn’t even knew they made coconut M&Ms and how I love coconut!

      Reply
    9. Delishhh

      November 03, 2012 at 10:06 am

      Love how you used coconut oil!! What a awesome cookie!

      Reply
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