Growing up, my mom used to always make these delicious 7-layer bars using a recipe that one of our neighbors shared with us. They were amazing, filled with condensed milk and gluten-full graham cracker pieces – a child’s dream and a big sugar rush. Recently, I tried RachaelGoodEats (an amazing health and food blogger) recipe for healthy vegan Twix Bars and I was blown away. So, inspired by both of these amazing recipes, I decided to try something new…something I am calling Magic Bars! These bars are deliciously sweet and can be customized in so many ways. I just know you guys are going to love them.
Making these bars is a relatively simple layering process. The bottom two layers take a bit longer to make, and then the last few just involve adding delicious toppings of your choice.
The bottom of the magic bars is a shortbread-like cookie layer made using flour, coconut oil, and a few other simple ingredients. This has to bake for about ten minutes, so I usually make it first.
The next layer of the bars is almost like a caramel copy-cat, and is made on the stovetop using nut butter, maple syrup and some other pantry staples. This layer should cool before being placed on top of the cookie layer.
After you have the bottom of the bars set, you can basically add whatever you want! I like chocolate chips, white chocolate chips, and butterscotch chips, as well as some coconut flakes. If you love walnuts or any other type of nuts, add those too! I also want to experiment with adding crushed pretzels – I love a good crunch!
You will want to bake everything again just to melt the chocolate chips slightly. In addition, the magic bars will need to fully set in the fridge before you cut them – this is crucial so that they stay intact!
These bars addicting, so be careful! They are such a delicious treat to bring to parties and gatherings, and no one will even know they are GF. Let me know if you guys try these and what you think!
Magic Bars
Ingredients
Base
- 1/2 cup white rice flour
- 1/2 cup brown rice flour
- 1/3 cup coconut oil
- 1 tbsp brown sugar
- 4 tbsp warm maple syrup
Caramel Layer
- 1/2 cup nut butter
- 1/4 cup maple syrup
- 1/4 cup butter
- 1 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- sprinkle of sea salt
Additional Layers
- chocolate chips
- butterscotch chips
- coconut flakes
- white chocolate chips
- optional: nuts
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350. Line an 8x8 pan with parchment paper.
- In a bowl, combine the flour, maple syrup, brown sugar and coconut oil for the base layer.
- Place mixture (it might be crumbly) into pan with fingers. Distribute evenly and then bake for 15 minutes or until golden brown.
- While the base is baking, combine the nut butter, vanilla, maple syrup, brown sugar, butter and sea salt in a saucepan over medium to low heat. Mix often until all ingredients are melted and well combined.
- Let both the base and caramel layers cool for about 25 minutes.
- Spread the cooled caramel mixture over the base layer.
- Add coconut flakes, then white chocolate chips, butterscotch, and semi-sweet chocolate chips on top. (Add nuts too if you want!)
- Bake again for about 10 minutes, or until the chocolate starts to melt.
- Let cool, and then place in fridge until fully set.
- Cut & enjoy!
