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The easiest 8 ingredients Salted Pretzel Magic Bars. These are some of the best cookie bars…rich and decadent, heavy on the chocolate, and oh so gooey! Made with pretzels, vanilla, sweet, sweetened condensed milk, coconut, chocolate chips, and peanuts for a cookie bar that’s addictingly delicious. Every bite is slightly crisp on top but soft and gooey in the center with just a bite of pretzel crunch. So DELICIOUS. Absolutely nothing not to love about these salty, sweet Magic Bars. Bonus? These bars are easy to make, use simple ingredients, and take only minutes to prep. They’re deliciously easy, they’re magical!
Happy Friday! Happy Snow Day! It’s been snowing hardcore here since Wednesday, so happy snow week/weekend for us. Perfect baking weather.
Right off the bat, I’m just going to say, these bars are really, really, hard not to love.
So let’s just jump right into them.
As I said above, they have that salty-sweet combination that truly keeps everyone coming back for seconds…and thirds. And on top of their deliciousness, they couldn’t be easier to make.
Soo, you see? They’re magic! In all seriousness though, they really are pretty amazing. Do you remember the Magic Bars your mom or grandma used to make? Well, these are those bars, only better.
Here’s the quick story
I’ve been wanting to share my mom’s Magic Bar recipe for the longest time, but just never found the perfect time. When we had a giant snow day this past week, the only thing I felt like doing was baking. I remembered back to these bars, and just like that, I found the perfect time to bake up mom’s Magic Bars.
Except, when I looked back at her recipe, I realized that the bars she makes are made with graham crackers. Don’t get me wrong, I love graham crackers, but I love them in a S’more, or maybe dipped in cold milk (does anyone else do this?). Not in my chocolate bars. And that’s when I had the idea for pretzels. It’s not rocket science or genius by any means, but it sure made these Magic Bars just a touch more delicious than all the rest out there.
Bold statement, but in my eyes, it’s true.
Here are the details.
The things about magic bars? They’re EASY. Which is one part of the “magic”.
Just mix a bunch of pretzel crumbs with melted butter, then press that mix into a baking dish. Now layer on the sweetened condensed milk (this is the key ingredient that really holds everything together). Then add the coconut, so many chocolate chips, and salty peanuts…and bake.
Twenty minutes later you’ll have the sweetest, prettiest Salted Pretzel Magic Bars. Simple as that.
Since these bars are very, very gooey when they come out of the oven, it’s best to really let them cool before cutting them. Usually, I’m all about cutting into bars warms, but with these, you’ve got to let them set up before you cut…unless you want to eat your bars with a fork. In which case, by all means, enjoy these warm out of the oven.
Yummmm.
Otherwise, let them cool. If you want to add a little extra touch, you can drizzle the top of the bars with melted chocolate. It’s not needed, but I love the look of the chocolate drizzle and we all know you can never have too much chocolate.
And if you’re into it, a little sprinkle of sea salt on top really seals the deal!
And that’s it. Do you see?
So simple, they’re magic. But what else makes them magic…they’re chocolatey, salty, sweet, gooey, and have just the tiniest bit of CRUNCH. Basically, they’re everything you could want out of a dessert bar.
I love to double the recipe, then cut up the second batch and send them off with my brothers to gift to everyone they snowboard with. Red especially loves bringing his friends HBH treats and these are always the biggest hit.
As I said, they’re pretty hard not to love.
Soo with that, how about some Friday night baking? These are easy enough to have mixed up and baked in less than an hour. And my guess is that you already have all the ingredients on hand. Bake that double batch and save the second batch for Sunday’s game. They’ll make the perfect Super Bowl dessert!
Looking for more quick desserts? Here are a few to try:
Lunchroom Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars
Lastly, if you make these salted pretzel magic bars, be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love to hear from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!
Salted Pretzel Magic Bars
Servings: 22 bars
Calories Per Serving: 341 kcal
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups pretzel crumbs, plus extra pretzels for topping
- 1/2 cup butter, melted
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 (14 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
- 2 1/2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1 1/2 cups sweetened or unsweetened coconut flakes
- 1 cup roasted peanuts (or any other toasted nut)
- melted chocolate, for drizzling (optional)
- flaky sea salt
Instructions
- 1. Preheat the oven to 350° F. Line a 9×13 inch baking dish with parchment. 2. In a bowl, combine the pretzel crumbs, butter, and vanilla. Press the mix into the prepared baking dish. Gently pour the condensed milk over the pretzels in an even layer. Sprinkle the coconut flakes evenly over the condensed milk, then add 2 cups chocolate chips in an even layer and then layer on the nuts. Sprinkle over the remaining 1/2 cup chocolate chips. Add a handful of pretzels, if desired. Press down with a fork to help submerge everything. 3. Bake the bars for 25 minutes. If desired, drizzle over a little melted chocolate. Sprinkle with flaky sea salt (if desired). Let cool before slicing.
Made these twice in two days, they are that good. And I used cashews for peanuts both times, BUT the real trick is adding marshmallows on top of it all. I didn’t think they could get better, but something about the marshmallows and the coconut just works for me. Had to share!!!!
Hey Joely,
I am delighted you enjoyed the recipe, thanks so much for giving it a try! xTieghan
These are fabulous! So quick and easy to make, and were a big hit at the super bowl party we attended!
Hey Jane,
I am delighted you enjoyed the recipe, thanks so much for giving it a try! xTieghan
These are everything! Sweet, salty and perfect. They were a big hit and made for a nice ‘breakfast snack’ the next day. Coconut is healthy right? ? Thanks for the great recipe.
Hey Ashlee,
I am delighted you enjoyed the recipe, thanks so much for giving it a try! xTieghan
So good! Made these for my roommates for the Super Bowl and the pan was gone before the end of the game!
Hey Ellissa,
I am delighted you enjoyed the recipe, thanks so much for giving it a try! xTieghan
These bars were DELICIOUS!! Easy to make and such a fantastic taste! Had a bite when they cam out of the oven, but they are actually even better when they cool off!
Hey Marybeth,
I am delighted you enjoyed the recipe, thanks so much for giving it a try! xTieghan
So I made these bars yesterday as part of our Super Bowl spread, and the flavors were absolutely delicious but they were a crumbly mess! Did I do something wrong? I did give them an opportunity to cool completely, but the pretzel/buttery crust seemed to all fall apart. I tucked them in the freezer for now and plan to enjoy them again a little later!
Hey Margaret,
Thanks for giving the recipe a try, so sorry these were crumbly for you. Was there anything you may have adjusted? This would help me to better answer your question! xTieghan
So so so easy to make! and so delicious!
Just curious if you know if these freeze ok?! It’s a lot for one person ?
Thanks!!
Hey Manda,
I am so glad the recipe was enjoyed, thanks so much for giving it a try! Have a great week! xTieghan
These bars where absolutely delicious! They where a hit! Highly recommend and easy to make !
Hey Kelly,
I am so glad the recipe was enjoyed, thanks so much for giving it a try! Have a great week! xTieghan
Made these and shared with a few friends. Everyone looooved them. Couldn’t stop raving about how delicious they were. I’ll definitely be making them again.
Hey Meg,
I am so glad the recipe was enjoyed, thanks so much for giving it a try! Have a great week! xTieghan
Loved these but there are some serious typos with the recipe. Namely the amount of pretzels for the crust and condensed milk. Something has got to give either double the amount for both or reduce the pan size to an 8×8 or 9×9. Otherwise a great take on hello dollies.
Hey there,
So sorry you had issues with the recipe, there are no typos, let me know how I can help! xTieghan
These are my favorite version of magic bars yet! Love the salty crunch of the pretzels! I used crushed praline pecans as my nuts on top. Hubs and I both ate in love with these and will definitely be making them over and over!
Hey Rebekah,
I am so glad the recipe was enjoyed, thanks so much for giving it a try! Have a great week! xTieghan
I made these tonight but subbed oatmeal for the coconut because my grocery order didn’t have my coconut. So sad! They were easy to make and look so pretty. They did turn out pretty dry and we couldn’t taste much of the sweetened condensed milk goodness so I am wondering if the oatmeal really soaked that up. I am planning to make them again with the coconut like the recipe calls for but wouldn’t make them again with the oatmeal sub.
Hey Kate,
So sorry about this, I haven’t tested these with oats so I am unsure of what the results would be. I would try with coconut next time:) xTieghan
These were delicious!!! They will absolutely be a staple dessert in my house from now on
Hey Kim,
Thanks so much for making the recipe, I am so glad it was enjoyed! Have a great week! xTieghan
We replaced peanuts with walnuts and it is SO good!!
Hey Sierra,
Thanks so much for making the recipe, I am so glad it was enjoyed! Have a great week! xTieghan
These need to be placed in the fridge in order to set up and be a bar, and not a soggy mess. They were ok. If I make them again, I will make a few changes. Good starter recipe
Hey Kerri,
Sorry these didn’t turn out the way you would have liked. Let me know if I can help in anyway! xTieghan