Description
Christmas Magic Bars are a decadent layered dessert featuring a buttery base blended with instant chocolate pudding, studded with chocolate chips, marshmallows, coconut flakes, and colorful holiday M&Ms. These festive bars offer a delightful combination of gooey and crunchy textures, perfect for holiday gatherings or as a sweet treat during the festive season.
Ingredients
Scale
Base Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter
- 2 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 (5.9 oz) package instant chocolate pudding mix
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 4 eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
Toppings
- 1 (14 oz) can sweetened condensed milk
- 1 cup chocolate chips, divided
- 1 cup marshmallows, divided
- 1 cup coconut flakes, divided
- 1 cup holiday M&Ms, divided
- Holiday sprinkles (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper and lightly spray it with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Combine Butter and Sugar Mixture: In a medium microwave-safe bowl, combine the unsalted butter, granulated sugar, instant chocolate pudding mix, and salt.
- Heat to Melt and Mix: Microwave the mixture in 30-second increments, stirring after each, until the butter and sugar are combined and the mixture is grainy but well blended. This typically takes two heating cycles.
- Add Eggs and Vanilla: Incorporate the eggs one at a time into the butter mixture, stirring well after each addition. Then add the vanilla extract. Beat the mixture vigorously with a fork about 60 times until fully combined.
- Incorporate Flour: Stir in the all-purpose flour until the batter is smooth and well blended.
- First Bake: Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake for 25 minutes. The top should be set while the inside remains slightly jiggly.
- Add Half the Toppings: Remove the pan from the oven and evenly sprinkle half of the chocolate chips, marshmallows, coconut flakes, and holiday M&Ms over the baked batter.
- Pour Sweetened Condensed Milk: Drizzle the entire can of sweetened condensed milk evenly over the toppings layer, then gently spread it out to cover evenly.
- Add Remaining Toppings: Sprinkle the remaining chocolate chips, marshmallows, coconut flakes, M&Ms, and optionally, holiday sprinkles on top.
- Second Bake: Return the pan to the oven and bake for an additional 23 to 27 minutes, or until the top is golden and set.
- Cool and Trim: Allow the dessert to cool completely in the pan. Once cooled, optionally trim the edges for a clean look.
- Cut and Serve: Cut into 15 bars and serve. Enjoy your festive Christmas Magic Bars!
Notes
- Using parchment paper makes it easier to remove the bars from the pan for cutting and serving.
- Do not overbake to maintain a gooey texture inside.
- Feel free to substitute holiday M&Ms with crushed peppermint candies for a minty twist.
- Store bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for longer freshness.
- Use unsalted butter to better control the saltiness of the bars.
