Gluten Free Magic Bars

These Gluten Free Magic Bars use homemade or store bought gf graham crackers and all the traditional goodies you want!

stack of two magic bars on top of each other.

UPDATE: Gluten Free Magic Bars were originally published on April 6, 2021 and have been updated with plenty of new information and a video.

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For the longest time, I never thought I'd be able to eat another magic bar, aka seven layer bar. But with my homemade gluten free graham crackers, I'm lucky to be able to make these again. And I might even say that these are better than I remember them ever being! Maybe it's the Easter M&M's, but I don't really care because I'll keep making them again and again.

What are Magic Bars?

If you're not as old as me, you may not have a clue what magic bars are. I grew up with these wonderful little treats that were originally developed by Eagle Brand, the company who created sweetened condensed milk. They also go by other names, Magic Cookie Bars or Seven Layer Bars to name a few. The reason these are called "magic" is because you layer everything into a pan, pour sweetened condensed milk over the top, and bake. When they come out of the oven, the sweetened condensed milk has baked into each layer, creating a bar that holds together and tastes amazing!

ingredients needed for magic bars

Gluten free graham cracker crumbs - you can get my homemade gf graham crackers in the oven in literally 10 minutes tops. But there are store bought ones for those who don't want to make them (I like Schar brand {affiliate link} the best).
Butter - melted butter gets added to the graham cracker crumbs as the base.
Toppings - there are so many options to choose from, you could technically make different magic bars every day for a year! Chocolate chips, nuts, butterscotch chips, coconut, M&M's, you name it.
Sweetened Condensed Milk - the star ingredient, the "glue" that holds it all together. I could literally drink this stuff. Anything it touches, it turns to gold.
Flake salt. There's a whole lotta sweet going on in these bars, so a little sprinkling of salt helps balance out the sweetness. I like to use flake salt because I have it on hand and I like the big bursts of salt.

here's how easy it is to make them

Mix graham cracker crumbs with melted butter and press into the bottom of an 8 by 11-inch baking pan. Add any chocolate chips, white chocolate chips, and/or butterscotch chips on top of crust. Pour sweetened condensed milk over chips as evenly as possible.

chopped pecans sprinkled on top of sweetened milk.

unsweetened flaked coconut on top of pecans.

Add nuts, followed by coconut and M&M's. Use your hands or the bottom of a measuring cup to press down lightly on the top layer to compact all the layers together. Bake at 350 degrees F for 35-40 minutes or until set. Cool, chill, and cut into bars.

Quick Tip #1

There seems to be great debate over when to add the liquid "gold," before or after putting on the toppings. I like to add it right in between all the toppings. Add all the chips and then the milk, followed by the nuts, coconut, and anything else (M&M's). That way there's "glue" right smack dab in the middle, so everything has a great chance of sticking together. Press everything down using the bottom of a small measuring cup or glass.

Quick Tip #2

While the tradition is to use a 9 by 13-inch pan, I make mine in an 8 by 11-inch pan. This is so the bars will be a little thicker and I can then cut them smaller. All those toppings need a good sturdy base to hold them all together. Making the bars just a little bit thicker is like proper bar "engineering." 😁

Magic Bars FAQs

Why are they called magic bars?

Because they're so easy to make and "magically" form bars after each component is layered in the pan and baked.

What are the 7 layers in magic bars?

The original components of a 7 layer (magic) bar were graham cracker crumbs, butter, sweetened condensed milk, chocolate chips, butterscotch chips, nuts, and coconut. You can stick with these same ingredients or switch them up to suit your needs.

How are magic bars stored?

Magic bars stored at room temperature in an airtight container will be slightly softer and are best eaten within 3-4 days. When stored in the refrigerator, bars will be firmer and chewier and will last up to a week.

More gluten free bar recipes

up close overhead shot of one gluten free magic bar.

We can now make gluten free magic cookie bars with ease. They're just as sweet and sticky (and delicious!) as we remember!