Magic cookie bars are an old fashioned classic recipe that we have recreated into a healthy sugar-free plant-based dessert. Layers of coconut, nuts, and chocolate chips make them magically delicious. We also pay tribute to Mister Rogers today to celebrate his upcoming birthday on March 20th.
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Ingredients
Crust
1 cup (120g) almond flour
1 cup (80g) rolled oats, ground into a flour
1/2 cup (112g) pitted dates
1 teaspoon Braggs liquid aminos
Filling
1/3 cup (26g) rolled oats
1/3 cup (75g) pitted dates
1 cup (236ml) water
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Toppings
1/2 cup (47g) shredded unsweetened coconut
1/2 cup (85g) vegan chocolate chips
1 cup (150g) chopped pecansÂ
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C).
- Blend crust ingredients in a blender or food processor until mixture almost sticks together when pressed together.Â
- Press crust into the bottom of a parchment lined 9" x 9" brownie pan.
- Blend the filling ingredients in a blender until dates are completely pulverized.
- Pour filling over the crust.
- Sprinkle the toppings one at a time over the filling and lightly press the toppings down with a fork so that a little of the filling comes through.
- Bake for 35 minutes.
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39 comments
Hi Jill! The Magic Cookie Bars look delicious and seem very easy to make. Could I substitute pitted prunes for the dates? Which would be less carbs because I’m on a low carb diet.
Thanks,
Sheryl
Absolutely
What can I substitute for chocolate chips?
You could use cocoa nibs but I would use a bit less because they are pretty potent.
I’m allergic to chocolate. What can I use as a substitute?
You can leave them out and the bars will still be tasty. I don’t really know of a non-chocolate substitute for chocolate chips that is healthy
Have you tried carob Caroboo is a nice brand to try
These turned out amazing! I knew I had to make them when the video came out and they were exactly what I had imagined. The only changes I made were I added a little salt to the crust with a few tablespoons of water to help it stick together and I used 1/2 cup of chopped walnuts instead of pecans because that it what I had. I will be making these regularly.
Oh my goodness! So good! I do remember these bars, so sweet. (Made them and loved them.) So I really had my doubts when I was watching! Lol. But I still rushed to try, ’cause I always have hope!
You made a grown up version! (Can taste the ingredients instead of just sweetness!)
Great job!!
I’m so happy you enjoyed it =)
My son and I made these this afternoon. They are delicious and easy! Thank you for another great recipe!
I already have oat flour and would prefer to use it rather than make it from rolled oats. That said, how much flour should I use in place of the oats? 80g?
Yes, 80g oat flour
Carob chips can sub for the chocolate chips 🙂
Absolutely
Made these the other day. Delicious!!! Will make again for sure on Passover!
What can I sub for the aminos?
You can leave them out
This is a great recipe, Jill. I will definitely make this recipe again. Thank you so much.
Absolutely dynamite! My husband and I had them after dinner. 2 servings.!! 🤦. Tried to hide them from him but he found them. 😂
Just made the magic cookie bars and they were so easy to make and they are delicious 😋
The only complaint I have about these is…..I CANNOT STOP EATING THEM!
My grandson is allergic to nuts, what could I sub for the almond flour?
There are also pecans on the top. With there being so many nuts in this recipe it is difficult to replace them without the bar just being barky and bland, sorry
Can you tell us what the nutrition information on these would be? Fat/carbs/protein etc. thank you!
Sorry, we don’t do the nutritional breakdowns of our recipes yet.
What could I substitute for the oats? I’d like to make them for Passover. Do you think Quinoa flour & potato starch or tapioca starch would work somehow? Love your show!
I haven’t really tried any substitutes, sorry
These are delicious! I am making them for the fourth time already and I did 1.5 x the measurements for a 9x 13 pan! The cooking time is the same. Thank you so much for this recipe!
Looks really nice and easy recipe I would like to try BUT I’m not a chocolate lover, can I substitute the chocolate with pieces of fruit ie ‘Blueberries’ or maybe dried fruit like ‘Sultanas’,
Absolutely. If you use the blueberries, it might take a little extra baking time.
Thanks, will be trying out tomorrow!
How do you store them?
In and airtight container in the fridge.
Just made these this afternoon. My husband and I each had two for dessert! Very very yummy! Thanks for another great recipe.
I think this recipe could be altered to make a lemon bar. Maybe add lemon juice and zest to the filling and leave out the chocolate chips.
I made these and they’re sooo good! Even my partner who has a super sweet tooth loves them and is always pestering me to make them! Well done Jill!
This recipe looks really good. But I have a question. Having CKD limits how much dates I can consume. Like your delicious zucchini coffee cake, I’m wondering if I can substitute figs for the dates?
Yes, I think that would work
Oh my…I just made and ate this! I used 1/8 cup chopped up 100% cocoa wafers instead of the vegan chocolate chips. The bitterness of the chocolate and the sweetness of the dates hit this one out of the park. I am making this for my next friend get-together. YUM. Thank you Jill!