I first learned to make Magic Bars in 9th grade home economics class, which not only shows how easy they are, but also that they have been around almost forever. Everyone, it seems, makes them, and variations abound. They are also referred to as 7-Layer bars (butter, graham cracker crumbs, chocolate chips, butterscotch chips, coconut, nuts, sweetened condensed milk – 7 actual ingredients layered and baked), and other names. Since I always purchase way too much Halloween candy, and was trying to find ways to use it up rather than eat it and gain a few pounds, I thought maybe the fun-size candy bars could be chopped up and used in Magic Bars instead of the chocolate and butterscotch chips and nuts. I had to open dozens of tiny candy bars (ugh!, but easier cutting the ends off the wrappers with scissors, or even easier if you can get kids to do it), and coarsely chop them in the food processor, but the result was delicious, and worth sharing with those of you who happen to have too much Halloween candy leftover as I did. Many Layer Magic Bars were a hit with family and friends.

Unfortunately, you’ll have to eat the Kit Kats, since the wafer inside ends up tasting like cardboard when baked, but almost any other chocolate candy is yummy in these bars. Nobody in my family ever eats the Milky Way bars, Three Musketeers, or M & Ms, so I always have plenty of them to use in these bars. This year, I also used Twix, Krackle, Snickers, and Almond Joy, as well as Nestle Crunch, Reese’s, Cookies & Cream, and Milk Duds. You can use a mixture, or be a purist and use only one kind – it’s up to you. No matter what, they will be wonderful.

32 Bars
1/2 cup melted butter
1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs

3 cups candy bars, coarsely chopped (no Kit Kats)
1 cup flaked coconut
6 fun size packages M & M’s candies
1 14 oz. can sweetened condensed milk

1. Preheat oven to 350º.
2. Pour the melted butter into a glass 9" x 13" baking dish.
3. Measure the graham cracker crumbs into the dish and mix well with the butter. Press down evenly.
4. Sprinkle the chopped candy bars evenly over the graham cracker crumbs; press them down a little.
5. Sprinkle the coconut over all, then the M & M’s.
6. Drizzle the sweetened condensed milk evenly over all.
7. Bake 25 to 30 minutes or until lightly browned.
8. Remove from the oven, set on a cooling rack, and let cool thoroughly before cutting into 32 squares.

Amount Per Serving
Calories 108 Calories from Fat 51
Percent Total Calories From: Fat 48% Protein 6% Carb. 46%

Nutrient Amount per Serving
Total Fat 6 g
Saturated Fat 3 g
Cholesterol 12 mg
Sodium 84 mg
Total Carbohydrate 12 g
Dietary Fiber 0 g
Sugars 1 g
Protein 2 g

Vitamin A 3% Vitamin C 1% Calcium 0% Iron 1%