Magic Bar Pie

Magic Bar Pie

There’s a bakery chain in the DC area called Firehook. They sell a lot of good stuff, to put it mildly. I used to pop in for soothing cups of tea and baked goods on long cold walks from my condo to grad school. I was not a fan of grad school, and it seems like sugar always helped me out with that.

In those long-ago days, I pretty much always hoped to find a big chocolate chip cookie behind the glass cases at Firehook. They were so good. I still think about those big cookies! But one day, I saw a big bar wrapped in plastic. It was called a seven-layer bar, and I’d never heard of that before. Don’t think I’m oblivious. It was like thirteen years ago!

When I tried the bar, I couldn’t believe all the fun packed into that one square! Coconuts and pecans and chocolate chips, all atop a fantastic graham cracker crust. I later learned that this concoction is also known as a Hello Dolly or a Magic Bar, and you know, I preferred the latter name. Those bars taste like magic!

Magic Bar Pie

There aren’t seven layers, anyway. That’s a total misnomer. What’s magical about the whole idea is that a simple little can of sweetened condensed milk resuts in the gooeist result ever. So I got to thinking about that, and guess what? I figured a pie would be even better. All of that amazing stuff packed into a smaller space, and in pie form? It had to be a good idea!

Magic Bar Pie

And it was. This pie came out as a cross between a pecan pie and a magic bar, and it was so easy to make. Despite the fact that the pie packs a serious sugar punch, I still saw people taking more than one slice. That speaks for itself.

Magic Bar Pie

So if you’re a whiz with magic bars, or even if you’re not, this is a good pie to take to your next whatever. People will be impressed because they’re always impressed when a homemade crust is involved, and you can once again save the day!

Magic Bar Pie

Besides, you have to make this. It’s magic. Don’t mess with magic.

Ingredients:

  • 1/3 cup unsalted butter
  • 1/2 cup milk chocolate chips
  • 1 cup graham cracker crumbs
  • 1/3 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
  • 1 cup pecan halves and pieces
  • 1 cup milk chocolate chips
  • 1 cup sweetened coconut
  • 1 can sweetened condensed milk (I used fat-free)

 

Instructions:

Preheat the oven to 350. Coat a pie plate with cooking spray.

In a microwave-safe bowl, melt the butter and chocolate chips for about one minute. Stir until melted and well combined. Add the graham cracker crumbs and brown sugar, stirring again until the mixture is crumbly. Press the crumbs into the pie pan, moving them up the sides to make a pie crust. Bake for 5-10 minutes until set and then remove from the oven.

Layer the pecans, coconut and chocolate chips into the pie crust, in that order. Pour on the sweetened condensed milk.

Bake for 25-30 minutes until the pie is bubbly and browning at the edges.

Mir

I fulfill many roles in life: wife, mother, teacher, everlasting learner. This site is dedicated to one role that expresses my creativity in ways that I find consistently challenging and rewarding: baker. Inventing new ways to enhance food, especially if that food involves chocolate or peanut butter (or both!), is a passion of mine. I look forward to sharing my ideas with you.

This Post Has 12 Comments

  1. How to Philosophize with Cake

    Holy cow that looks rich! I love magic bars but I imagine they would be even more delicious in pie form. 🙂

    1. Mir

      They’re much thicker in pie form, and I’m a fan of that!

  2. Kristine @ Kristine's Kitchen

    These look totally indulgent and perfect for when a major sweets craving hits! I agree, these need to be called Magic Bars!

    1. Mir

      Sugar is magic, isn’t it? I just wish that sugar craving didn’t hit, oh, every five minutes.

  3. Mary Frances

    Magic bars are the best. Its a proven fact – I get an empty pan every single time! (buuuut we won’t talk about how much was due to my testing 😉 I love that you put it in a pie! That is so smart, Mir! Happy Friday!

    1. Mir

      I love how “testing” becomes eating half of whatever it is I made. All in a good cause, right?
      Happy Friday to you, too!

  4. Pamela @ Brooklyn Farm Girl

    These bars are totally made out of magic.. how delicious! Wishing I had one here!

    1. Mir

      Aww, how sweet! Thanks so much!

  5. Winnie

    O-M-G !!
    These look and sounds heavenly!!
    Definitely a magic treat 🙂

    1. Mir

      Thanks! I think sugar is heaven!

  6. Jocelyn@Brucrewlife

    This looks fantastic!! I wish I could reach through my screen just to take a bite! Who am I kidding? I want the whole pie!! 😉

    1. Mir

      Yeah, I might have eaten a bit too much of it. Oh well!

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