Grain-Free Magic Cookie Bars! An easy, PALEO treat made with coconut milk sweetened condensed milk! 

Cookie bar with a bite taken out of it on parchment paper

I can’t believe Christmas is just around the corner! My parents are coming to our house for Christmas this year and I couldn’t be more excited. My toddler is almost 3 and truly believes in Santa.

Last year he didn’t quite get it, so this year it has been so fun to read Christmas books, watch holiday movies, and make treats for our neighbors and friends in anticipation.

It’s awesome how being a parent makes all the little things more fun again!

Here is one last Christmas cookie recipe! My Dad loves Magic Cookie Bars and I want to make them when he comes in town. He actually calls them Hello Dollies. And others call them 7-layer bars!

Whatever you call these, they are delicious. I was inspired by making sweetened condensed coconut milk for my fudge recipe.

Sweetened condensed milk is a crucial ingredient for magic cookie bars and I thought they were a thing of the past now that I eat dairy-free.

I was happy to find sweetened condensed coconut milk works great for these!

For another gluten-free treat try these s’more magic bars. These paleo almond joy and paleo vegan brownies also look delicious!

Aerial view of cookie bars on a white sheet

These bars have a grain-free cookie crust that is softer than the traditional magic cookie bar graham cracker crust.

The layers of chocolate chips, pecans, and coconut all smothered in sweetened milk are a true indulgence!

These are grain, dairy, and refined-sugar-free, making them an indulgence I can actually eat!

Stack of two cookie bars

More Paleo Recipes:

Paleo Pumpkin Magic Cookie Bars from Food Faith Fitness

Gluten-Free Sugar Cookie Bars from Flippin’ Delicious

Paleo Banana Bread

Sideview of cookie bar with a bite taken from it
5 from 22 votes

Grain-Free Magic Cookie Bars {Dairy-Free, Refined-Sugar-Free}

Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 50 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 5 minutes
Servings 18 bars
Grain-Free Magic Cookie Bars! An easy, PALEO treat made with coconut milk sweetened condensed milk!

Ingredients

For the Coconut Sweetened Condensed Milk:

  • 1 can of coconut milk
  • 1/4 cup maple syrup
  • 1/4 tsp salt

For the Cookie Crust:

  • 1/2 cup hazelnut flour almond flour will work too
  • 1/2 cup coconut flour
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/3 cup coconut oil or butter melted
  • 1/4 cup maple syrup
  • 1 egg
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla

For the Bars:

  • 1 1/4 cup chocolate chips
  • 1/2 cup chopped pecans
  • 1/3 cup unsweetened shredded coconut

Instructions 

  • Preheat the oven to 350 F. Lightly grease a 9x9 inch baking pan.
  • Make the coconut milk sweetened condensed milk by placing the coconut milk, maple syrup, and salt in a small saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a simmer and cook for 25-30 minutes, stirring occasionally until the mixture has reduced to 1 cup of liquid. The milk may splatter when it starts to boil, so just stir it and lower the heat slightly. Check how much liquid you have by pouring it into a glass measuring cup.
  • While the coconut milk reduces, make the cookie crust. Place the hazelnut flour, coconut flour, salt, and baking soda in the bowl of a food processor. Pulse to combine. Add the coconut oil, maple syrup, egg and vanilla and process until smooth. Press the dough into the prepared pan in an even layer. Bake for 15 minutes, until set.
  • When the crust is done pre-baking, remove it from the oven and top it with 1 cup of chocolate chips. Press the chocolate chips into the crust slightly. Top with the chopped pecans and shredded coconut. Pour the reduced coconut milk mixture over everything. Sprinkle the remaining 1/4 cup chocolate chips and a little more coconut over the top. Bake for 25 minutes.
  • Allow the bars to cool for at least 1 hour before slicing. Enjoy!

Nutrition

Calories: 192kcal | Carbohydrates: 17g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 12g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Cholesterol: 10mg | Sodium: 84mg | Potassium: 45mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 13g | Vitamin A: 40IU | Vitamin C: 0.2mg | Calcium: 32mg | Iron: 0.6mg
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Hi, I’m Erin!

BS Food Science,

MS Nutrition

I believe you can make amazing, gluten-free food with everyday ingredients that everyone will enjoy. I’m here to share my tried-and-true recipes with you!

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Comments

  1. Did someone tried to replace the egg in the meantime? I‘m afraid of the product waste in case it doesn’t work out with the egg :/

  2. 5 stars
    Delicious! I it took longer for my coconut milk to thicken, I think I had the temp too low. I will reduce the quantity of chocolate chips next time.

  3. What size can of coconut milk do you use? There are two different sizes where I live. Also, can I use coconut cream instead of coconut milk?

  4. 5 stars
    These decadent treats are a favorite for EVERYONE. They are so tasty and I love that they are Paleo friendly. Almost makes it okay for me to eat two, three, and four of them.

  5. Would it be possible to make the sweetened condensed milk a day ahead? I’ve made these before and loved them. It’s just too late in my day to start them right now

  6. 5 stars
    I followed your recipe exactly the way it is. AMAZING!! It only lasted a couple of hours! Making my second batch right now.
    Thank you so much for sharing such a great recipe.

  7. I can’t believe I came across this recipe! I googled grain free cookie base and this was one of the ones that showed up. What I was really looking for was something to use up lots of ingredients I have; more specifically coconut, chocolate chips and walnuts… can you believe?? (Even though yours is pecans I’ll sub in walnuts) I’ve amassed lots of flours and other items to cook grain free but it’s gotten a little out of control so my plan is to organize and use up stuff while finding a few staples that I make consistently to have on hand each week or month. Going to make these now for a work party… fingers crossed!

  8. How do you store these? Im looking for some healthy goodies to ship out to my family across the states and need something that doesn’t have to be refrigerated.

  9. 5 stars
    These are hands down the best paleo treat I have ever tasted! They remind me of a recipe my cousin made when I was a child! Delicious! Thank you so much!

  10. Hi! These squares look delicious! I want to make them up for my Christmas platters, ahead of time … do they freeze well?
    Thanks, Denise

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