Thursday 22 May 2014

Peanut Butter Magic Bars and Giveaway Winner

peanut butter flavour bars with coconut
I’ve been trying to find the definition of a magic bar – and not had much success. But whatever its origins, this Peanut Butter Magic Bar variety is sure to be a hit with anyone who loves the nutty stuff.

They are super easy to make – if you can melt some butter, then you will find these a cinch. You basically layer all the ingredients together, bake and voila! The ingredients consist of a crunch cereal bottom, nuts, sweets, chips, coconut and condensed milk. The condensed milk does the job of keeping everything stuck together after it’s baked and ensures for a rich, sweet taste. I would say, when cutting these up into squares, bars whatever, keep them small as they are so decadent.



I went for a peanut butter variety as I love the stuff and I had recently come across some Reese’s Pieces in a shop, and I had some peanut butter chips at hand. These ingredients can be bought online in the UK if you can’t get hold of them in shops near you. Or, alternatively you could swap the ingredients up – chocolate chips instead of peanut butter ones. Mini  Smarties, or similar instead of Reese’s Pieces.



I used chopped peanuts, but you could use hazelnuts, pecans whatever nut takes your fancy. But a layer of coconut seems to be pretty much standard in magic bars, so don’t change that up, or the condensed milk.
And for the base I used crushed up cinnamon graham type cereal, for another dimension of flavour, but Golden Grahams, or other cereal would work just as well.

Here’s how easy they are:

Yield: 9”x13” pan of magic

Ingredients:
150 grams crushed cereal, such as Cinnamon Grahams
115 grams, unsalted butter, melted
125 grams, chopped peanuts (salted or unsalted)
175 grams, peanut butter chips (or similar)
50 grams Reese’s Pieces (or similar)
150 grams, desiccated coconut
1 397 grams, can sweetened condensed milk

Method:
Pre-heat the oven to 180C. Line a 9”x13” pan with greaseproof paper or foil and grease lightly.



In a bowl stir together the crushed cereal and melted butter. Tip this into the prepared pan and spread evenly, so it coats the bottom of the pan.



Sprinkle the nuts evenly over the cereal. Then the chips, Reeses’s Pieces and then the coconut. Finish by pouring the condensed milk evenly over the ingredients.



Place into the oven and cook for 20 to 25 minutes or until lightly brown on top. Keep an eye on it, as it can turn dark brown quickly (mine’s did!).

Remove from the oven and allow to cool completely before carefully removing from the pan using the foil or paper to lift.



Cut into rectangles or squares and your magic bars are ready.

Easy, peanutty, sweet and moist. These bars are certainly magic! Enjoy…




I am entering these Magic Bars into Sarah at Maison Cupcakes challenge 'Dead Easy Desserts' as they are so quick to make! this month it's hosted by Tina at The Spicy Pear.



And as I made these for my lovely colleagues at work, I am entering them into this month's Treat Petite challenge, hosted this month by Kat at The Baking Explorer. The theme is World Baking Day - Who Will You Bake For? 

Also, congratulations to Keith from Mid Glamorgan who won the Gillian Kyle Tunnocks Toe Bag. The bag should be with you soon!

11 comments:

  1. The only thing I could possibly argue against in these is the size of the squares - I have such a sweet tooth and so little willpower that I'm sure I could easily demolish a rather large piece They sound too gorgeous not to =)

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    1. Yes, a bigger square would be rather good Laura!

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  2. Congratulations to Keith!

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  3. oooh yummy, this does look so good and i may have to make one x

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  4. Did someone say peanut butter? yes please :)

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  5. I love Penut Butter and these sound utterly delicious!!

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  6. These look SO yummy!! On my recipe list without a doubt :)

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  7. Oooh yum I love Reeces Pieces!

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  8. I'm starting to think we're the same person....guess what I baked with this week?

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  9. They look ridiculously delicious! Might have to try with the boys this week!

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  10. These magic bars look so good and must taste even better! I love peanut butter and would most likely finish the entire batch in one sitting. Thank you for entering this to Dead Easy Desserts.

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