White Chocolate Cranberry Macadamia Magic Bars are a delicious blend of salty and sweet. Made with just 6 ingredients, they’re perfectly gooey and make the best addition to your holiday cookie plate!
Magic Bars. Have you had them?? They’re fun little layered dessert bars that are basically… well… magical! And this cranberry white chocolate version is no exception. Based on the classic white chocolate macadamia flavor combo, there’s something about the “magic bar” twist that takes them to the next level.
From the sugar cookie crust to the dried cranberries to the macadamia nuts to the white chocolate drizzle… one bite and you’ll wonder where they’ve been all your life. Two bites and you’ll be in heaven!
And best of all, you’re going to LOVE how easy they are to make. Made with just 6 ingredients, they come together in minutes and bake to ooey gooey perfection. No stress. No fuss. And they make the PERFECT addition to any holiday cookie plate!
what you’ll need for this recipe
Sugar cookie dough – I used refrigerated sugar cookie dough as the base of these magic bars. Traditional magic bars have a graham cracker base, but I found that the sugar cookie flavor works better with the other ingredients in this recipe. You can also use homemade sugar cookie dough in place of store bought!
White chocolate chips – I used white chocolate chips as an ingredient in the bars and melted, as a drizzle. You can also substitute white chocolate candy coating (Candiquik) if you prefer.
Macadamia nuts – I added chopped macadamia nuts for flavor and crunch. You a feel free to use unsalted macadamia nuts, found in the baking aisle, or salted nuts if you prefer the salty + sweet combo.
Dried cranberries – I used dried cranberries to give these bars a deliciously sweet and tart flavor. Feel free to use Craisins or any brand of dried cranberries.
Shredded coconut – Sweetened shredded coconut adds another layer of flavor and texture to these bars. If you want the texture without the extra sweetness, feel free to use unsweetened.
Sweetened condensed milk – Finally, sweetened condensed milk creates the deliciously gooey texture we LOVE about magic bars! It can be found in the baking aisle at your local grocery store.
how to make these magic bars
Make the base. Press the sugar cookie dough firmly into a greased 8×8 inch pan.
Top with the fillings. Top with 3/4 cup white chocolate chips, macadamia nuts, dried cranberries, and shredded coconut. Drizzle with sweetened condensed milk.
Bake. Bake at 350°F for 25-28 minutes.
Drizzle. Melt the remaining 1/4 cup white chocolate chips and drizzle over the cooled bars.
Storage Tips
These bars should be stored in an airtight container either at room temperature or in the refrigerator. The main difference? The bars will stay fresher longer in the refrigerator, and will also have a slightly different flavor and texture. Experiment with both to see which way you prefer!
Recipe Variations
- Substitute dried cherries or another type of dried fruit you prefer
- Use milk chocolate or bittersweet chocolate chips in place of white chocolate
- Substitute almonds, pecans, walnuts, or pistachios for the macadamia nuts
- Make a traditional graham cracker crust in place of sugar cookie dough
- Substitute chocolate or chocolate chip cookie dough in place of sugar cookie dough
- Use homemade sugar cookie dough
- Add a sprinkle of sea salt to the tops of the bars for added salty + sweet flavor
more ways to use sugar cookie dough
Looking for more recipes that use sugar cookie dough?These are some of our favorites!
- Holiday Sugar Cookie Brittle
- Cherry Pie Cookie Cups
- Peach Cobbler Cookie Cups
- Grape Fruit Pizza
- Banana Split Fruit Pizza
- S’mores Cookie Cups
White Chocolate Cranberry Macadamia Magic Bars
White Chocolate Cranberry Macadamia Magic Bars are a delicious blend of salty and sweet. Made with just 6 ingredients, they're perfectly gooey and make the best addition to your holiday cookie plate!
Ingredients
- 1/2 of a 30 ounce tube refrigerated sugar cookie dough
- 1 cup white chocolate chips, divided
- 1/2 cup chopped macadamia nuts
- 1/2 cup dried cranberries
- 1/2 cup shredded coconut
- 1/2 can (2/3 cup) sweetened condensed milk
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Press sugar cookie dough into greased 8x8 inch pan.
- Top with 3/4 cup white chocolate chips, macadamia nuts, dried cranberries, and shredded coconut.
- Drizzle with sweetened condensed milk.
- Bake for 25-28 minutes. Remove from oven and set aside to cool.
- Melt remaining 1/4 cup white chocolate chips/ drizzle over cooled bars.
Notes
Recipe Variations
- Substitute dried cherries or another type of dried fruit you prefer
- Use milk chocolate or bittersweet chocolate chips in place of white chocolate
- Substitute almonds, pecans, walnuts, or pistachios for the macadamia nuts
- Make a traditional graham cracker crust in place of sugar cookie dough
- Substitute chocolate or chocolate chip cookie dough in place of sugar cookie dough
- Use homemade sugar cookie dough
- Add a sprinkle of sea salt to the tops of the bars for added salty + sweet flavor
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 12 Serving Size: 1 gramsAmount Per Serving: Calories: 312Total Fat: 17gSaturated Fat: 6gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 10gCholesterol: 7mgSodium: 142mgCarbohydrates: 39gFiber: 2gSugar: 28gProtein: 3g
Jess says
6 ingredients? This may just be my holiday “go to” recipe. They look amazing!
Cathy Trochelman says
Thanks, friend! They literally couldn’t be easier!
Patricia Mapley says
These look amazingly festive and I love cranberries any way shape or form! I will be giving this a try!!
Cathy Trochelman says
I hope you enjoy them, Patricia!
Jocelyn (Grandbaby Cakes) says
These bars are absolutely perfect!
Janet O. says
Does the sweetened condensed milk turn white once its baked or did you drizzle icing over them after?
Cathy Trochelman says
Hi Janet! Thanks for catching! I updated the recipe…you drizzle white chocolate over the cooled bars. 🙂
Des @ Lifes Ambrosia says
These are so perfect and festive! Love it for the holidays!
Dorothy @ Crazy for Crust says
Honestly sometimes kids just have to do it themselves and it won’t go away ‘cuz it’s personality. I wish I could meet that girl, she and Jordan would fall in love!!
Heather | All Roads Lead to the Kitchen says
Using sugar cookie dough as the base is brilliant! I love that these can be whipped up quickly – so perfect during the busy holiday season.
Sandi (@fearless_dining) says
These bars look really hard to resist. Love the cookie dough time saver.
Jenny | Honey and Birch says
Terrible twos can always be cured by magic bars. 😉
Cookin Canuck says
I remember that “do everything myself” stage with my kids – a test of patience, for sure! These bars certainly do look magic – perfect for the holidays.
Maryanne | the little epicurean says
I’m sure this magic bars set everything back to normal! I remember that phase with my nieces and nephews. Luckily it’s only a phase 🙂
Marilyn says
Looks really delicious and love to try it but I don’t think I can get the cookie dough. ????
Another suggestion would be great for the base.
Love your recipes.
Cathy Trochelman says
Thanks, Marilyn! Any basic sugar cookie dough recipe would work well. You could also try crushed cookies (sugar, vanilla wafers, etc) mixed with melted butter. Hope this helps!
Ellie says
These look amazing…I can’t wait to try them. I’m all about simple and yummy! I was wondering if you think the recipe could be doubled and use a 9×13 pan? If so, how long do you think I should cook them for? Thanks in advance!
Cathy Trochelman says
Yes! The recipe can definitely be doubled. I would check them after 30 minutes and possibly add a little more time. You should be able to tell when they’re set. I’d love to hear how they turn out!