Magic Bars for Peanut Lovers
Magic Bars are a classic dessert that never goes out of style, and this version is especially great for peanut lovers. Loaded with peanuts, peanut butter baking chips, Reese’s PIECES, and chocolate cups, these bars bring big flavor with very little effort. They come together quickly with simple layers and bake into a rich, sweet treat that’s perfect for sharing.
Whether you grew up calling them magic bars or seven-layer bars, this peanut-packed variation is the kind of dessert that shows up at potlucks, holidays, and family gatherings for a reason. No fancy techniques, no special equipment – just pantry staples along with delicious chocolate candy layered into something comforting, familiar, and crowd-friendly.
This is an adaptation of the classic magic bar recipe, which is made with graham crackers, condensed milk, semisweet chocolate chips, and shredded coconut. The bottom of these magic cookie bars has a buttery graham cracker layer topped with sweetened condensed milk, which “magically” comes together to make a cookie base. Topped with peanuts and Reese’s candy, what’s not to love?
Ingredients
For this version, you need the following:
- 2 ⅔ cups graham cracker crumbs
- 1 cup melted butter
- 14 ounces sweetened condensed milk
- 1½ cups chopped peanuts
- 1 cup Reese’s peanut butter chips
- 8.5-ounce package Reese’s Baking Cups and Reese’s PIECES Candy
How To Make Magic Bars
- Preheat oven to 350° Fahrenheit. Spray a 9×13-inch baking pan with nonstick cooking spray. Set the pan aside.
- Stir graham cracker pieces and butter together in a medium-sized bowl. Press buttered graham cracker pieces onto the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
- Pour sweetened condensed milk over the top of the graham cracker base.
- Sprinkle top with chopped peanuts, peanut butter chips, and Reese’s candy.
- Bake magic bars in the preheated oven for 25-27 minutes or until the edges are golden brown and bubbly.
- Remove from oven and cut into bars.
Store the bars in an airtight container at room temperature. They are best if consumed within 5 days.
If you enjoy easy, layered desserts like these peanut-loaded Magic Bars, there are plenty more sweet treats to explore on Southern Kissed. Cookie Bars are another great option when you want a dessert that slices and serves easily, while Easy Chocolate Lasagna is a no-bake favorite that’s perfect for feeding a crowd. And if you love classic Southern-style desserts, Ooey Gooey Butter Cake delivers that familiar comfort in every bite.
Magic Bars
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat oven to 350° Fahrenheit. Spray a 9×13-inch baking pan with nonstick cooking spray. Set the pan aside.
- Stir graham cracker pieces and butter together in a medium-size bowl. Press buttered graham cracker pieces onto the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
- Pour sweetened condensed milk over the top of the graham cracker base.
- Sprinkle top with chopped peanuts, peanut butter chips, and Reese's candy.
- Bake magic bars in the preheated oven for 25-27 minutes or until the edges are golden and bubbly.
- Remove from oven and cut into bars.
Nutrition
Video
Notes
Tried this recipe?
Let us know how it was!Recipe Notes
- While these bars were made in a pan using aluminum foil, I don’t recommend it. If you need to line your pan, I recommend using parchment paper. I think that a good layer of nonstick cooking spray should be sufficient.
- You can crush graham crackers in the package or use a food processor to crush them. You will need 4 small packs of graham crackers or 2 large packs for this recipe.
- You can easily melt butter in the microwave. Be sure to cover it so that it does not splatter. Microwave in 30-second increments.
- If you can’t find peanut butter baking chips, feel free to use 1 cup of chocolate chips.
Last Bite
These peanut-packed Magic Bars are the kind of dessert that rarely lasts long once they’re set out. Leave a comment below and tell me when you’d serve them — holidays, potlucks, or just because.
