Introduction

Cherry Coconut Magic Bars are a delightful treat combining layers of buttery graham crackers, sweetened condensed milk, and a mix of cherries, coconut, chocolate, and nuts. They bake up golden and chewy, perfect for sharing or enjoying with a cup of coffee.

A stack of three square dessert bars sits on a white plate, each bar showing three distinct layers: a light golden brown crumbly base, a middle layer that is creamy beige with visible pieces of dark red and purple cherries, and a top crumbly layer sprinkled generously with white shredded coconut and toasted coconut flakes. Around the plate, fresh dark red cherries with stems rest on a white marbled surface, along with scattered coconut shreds. The background is softly blurred, showing more dessert bars and a white bowl. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

½ cup Challenge butter
1 ½ cups graham cracker crumbs
14 ounces sweetened condensed milk (1 can)
1 ½ cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
10 ounces maraschino cherries (1 jar, drained, quartered or halved and patted dry)
1 ½ cups sweetened flaked coconut
1 cup chopped nuts (walnuts or pecans)

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat the oven to 350°F (325°F if using a glass baking dish).
Step 2: Place the butter in a 13 x 9-inch baking dish and put it in the oven while it preheats, allowing the butter to melt.
Step 3: Once the butter has melted, sprinkle the graham cracker crumbs evenly over the butter.
Step 4: Drizzle the sweetened condensed milk evenly over the graham cracker crumbs.
Step 5: Sprinkle the nuts, coconut, chocolate chips, and cherries over the top, alternating and distributing them evenly across the surface.
Step 6: Press the mixture down firmly with a fork to compact the layers.
Step 7: Bake for 20-25 minutes or until the top is lightly browned.
Step 8: Allow the bars to cool completely before cutting into squares.

Tips & Variations

Use pecans instead of walnuts for a slightly sweeter nutty flavor.
Patting the cherries dry prevents the bars from becoming soggy.
For added texture, sprinkle some chopped toffee bits on top before baking.
If you prefer less sweetness, reduce the chocolate chips slightly or use dark chocolate chips.

Storage

Store the magic bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, keep them in the refrigerator for up to one week. Reheat briefly in the microwave if desired to soften before serving.

How to Serve

The image shows a stack of three square cherry and almond bars on a white speckled plate with a slightly raised rim. Each bar has three visible layers: the bottom golden-brown crust, a creamy light beige middle layer with embedded cherries, and a golden toasted almond and coconut flake topping. Several whole shiny red cherries are placed on top and around the stack. In the soft-focus background, there are glasses and a jug of milk on a white marbled surface, along with another plate of similar bars, and some green leaves adding a touch of color. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I substitute fresh fruit for the maraschino cherries?

Fresh cherries can be used but may release more moisture, which could affect the texture. It’s best to pat dry or lightly toss fresh fruit with a little flour to reduce sogginess.

Can I make these bars gluten-free?

Yes, substitute the graham cracker crumbs with gluten-free graham crackers or another gluten-free cookie crumb. Make sure all other ingredients are gluten-free certified.

Cherry Coconut Magic Bars Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.6 from 137 reviews

Cherry Coconut Magic Bars are a delightful layered dessert featuring a buttery graham cracker crust topped with sweetened condensed milk, semi-sweet chocolate chips, maraschino cherries, flaked coconut, and chopped nuts. These no-fuss bars bake to golden perfection with a chewy, crunchy texture and a rich, fruity flavor.

Author: Marco
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20-25 minutes
Total Time: 30-35 minutes
Yield: 16 bars 1x
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale

Base

½ cup Challenge butter
1 ½ cups graham cracker crumbs

Topping Layers

14 ounces sweetened condensed milk (1 can)
1 ½ cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
10 ounces maraschino cherries (1 jar – drained, quartered or halved and patted dry)
1 ½ cups sweetened flaked coconut
1 cup chopped nuts (walnuts or pecans)

Instructions

Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (325°F if using a glass baking dish) to prepare for baking the bars.
Melt Butter: Place the butter in a 13 x 9-inch baking dish and set it in the oven as it preheats to melt the butter evenly.
Make Crust: Sprinkle the graham cracker crumbs evenly over the melted butter, pressing them lightly to create a solid base layer.
Add Condensed Milk: Drizzle the sweetened condensed milk evenly over the graham cracker crumbs to bind the crust and toppings.
Layer Toppings: Alternately sprinkle chopped nuts, sweetened flaked coconut, semi-sweet chocolate chips, and maraschino cherries evenly on top, repeating the sequence to distribute toppings uniformly.
Press Layers: Use a fork to press the layers down firmly, ensuring they stick together during baking.
Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the bars are lightly browned on top.
Cool and Serve: Allow the bars to cool completely before cutting into squares to maintain their shape.
Store: Store the bars in an airtight container to keep them fresh.

Notes

For a glass baking dish, reduce oven temperature to 325°F to prevent over-browning.
Make sure to drain and pat dry the maraschino cherries to avoid excess moisture.
Use toasted nuts for a deeper flavor, if desired.
Pressing the layers firmly helps prevent the bars from crumbling when cut.
These bars can be stored at room temperature for up to 5 days or refrigerated for longer freshness.

Keywords: cherry coconut magic bars, layered bars, sweet dessert bars, chocolate chip bars, nut and coconut bars, easy baked bars