There are tons of methods you could use, but today I came up with two ways of combining Magic Cookie Bars (aka Seven Layer Bars) with brownies. First, the lazy version of Magic Cookie Brownies. They're brownies topped with a flat layer of graham crackers, condensed milk, chips and nuts.
And second, the more time consuming brownie composed of a graham cracker crust, topped with brownies, more crust and a final layer of condensed milk, chips and nuts.
I was convinced the complex one would taste better, and maybe it does have more going on, but the "lazy" version is actually really good even though it barely qualifies as a recipe. Just line an 8 or 9 inch pan with nonstick foil and bake a batch of brownies. Freeze the pan of brownies solid, then layer on graham crackers, condensed milk, chips and nuts and bake at 350 for 25 minutes.
The not-so-lazy version is below. It's better only in that there's more buttery flavor (due to the butter in the crust) and the top is chewier.
A few notes. freezing the brownies keeps them from over-baking during that second bake. The top will bake more quickly than the bottom which is what you want. Also, thinking the condensed milk would brown in the oven and taste more like dulce de leche, I microwaved it for a while (stirring often) until it had thickened somewhat and was closer to dulce de leche. It made the top chewier and gave it slightly browner edges, but that was about all.
Recipe
Magic Cookie Brownies
Ingredients
Graham Crust
- 7 rectangles 14 squares graham crackers
- 5 tablespoons firmly packed brown sugar
- 5 tablespoons unsalted butter melted
- Pinch of salt omit if using salted butter
Brownie Batter
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- ½ cup plus 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- ⅓ cup Dutch process cocoa powder or natural
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 large cold egg
- ¾ teaspoon vanilla
- ¼ teaspoon baking powder
- 6 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- ¼ cup extra dark chocolate morsels/chips
Topping
- 1 can 14 oz condensed milk
- 1 cup assorted morsels butterscotch & extra dark
- ½ cup toasted and chopped nuts
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line an 8 inch square metal pan with nonstick foil.
- In a food processor, process the graham crackers into crumbs. Add the sugar and pulse to mix, then add the butter and salt and pulse. Measure out about ⅔ cup of crumb mixture and set aside. Press the remaining crumbs into the pan. Put the pan in the freezer while you make the brownie batter.
- Prepare the brownie batter. Melt the butter in a medium size saucepan. Stir in the sugar and the cocoa powder. Reduce heat to low and stir gently for about 30 seconds to warm the sugar. Turn off the heat and let the sugar mixture sit for 5 minutes. Stir in the vanilla and salt. Add the cold egg, whisking or stirring just until mixed, then stir in the baking powder and the flour. Let the batter cool somewhat so as not to melt the chocolate chips, then stir them into the batter. Pour into the pan and bake for 20 minutes or until brownies appear set and a toothpick inserted comes out with moist crumbs (not batter). Let cool completely in the pan. When completely cool, press a piece of foil over the brownies and freeze for two hours or until solid.
- Prepare topping. (this step is optional) Pour the condensed milk into a large microwave-safe bowl and cover with plastic wrap, leaving a little bit uncovered for steam to escape. Microwave for 6 minutes at 50% power, stirring after two minutes, then stirring after every 30 second to 1 minute interval or just before mixture bubbles over the side of the bowl. Keep a close eye on it or it will all bowl over. Or skip this step altogether and just use room temperature, un-microwaved condensed milk.
- Remove the frozen brownie from the freezer. Sprinkler reserved graham mixture over top and press it to make a tight, thin layer. Meanwhile, mix together the chips and nuts.
- Pour the condensed milk over the crumb layer. Sprinkle morsel/nut mixture evenly over the condensed milk and press down slightly.
- Bake in a preheated 350 oven for 25 minutes or until condensed milk is brown and bubbly around edges. Let cool completely, then chill until very cold and firm. Lift from the pan and cut into squares or bars.
- Lazy Version: Bake an 8 inch or 9 inch square pan of your favorite brownie recipe. Make sure the pan is lined with foil! Put the brownies in the freezer until they are frozen solid. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Drizzle a thin layer of condensed milk over the frozen brownies. Lay graham crackers flat across the brownies. Drizzle remainder of the can (you can use all or slightly less if you want) over the graham crackers, then sprinkle with 1 cup of assorted chips and about half cup of nuts. Bake for 25 minutes or until hot and bubbly. Cool, chill, cut.
Nikki says
Do the brownies not get dry from being baked twice??
Anna says
Adare, thanks so much for the second opinion on the lazy version. I think I actually prefer the lazy version as well.
Adare says
I made the lazy version for a get together this week and everyone loved it! I added a little toasted, shredded coconut and extra, lotsa nuts. So easy to make and really tasty.
Michelle says
Wow! What a clever idea - I love both magic cookie bars and brownies, but never would've thought to combine them. I'm sure both versions are delicious 🙂
Mackenzie@The Caramel Cookie says
I think these look great! I'm all for the lazy version too!
Sue says
Those are beautiful photos! The bars are cut so perfectly. No doubt they taste great too. So many good things!
Julie @ Sugarfoot Eats says
I love making these around the holidays too!!!