Magic Cheesecake Bars

Get your sweet tooth ready for a decadent cheesecake bar experience. These magic cheesecake bars are the best iteration of any cheesecake dessert with a buttery graham cracker bottom, chocolate chip bits intertwined in rich cheesecake, and topped with toasted coconut and walnuts. The classic magic bar, sometimes called “7-layer bars,” consist of graham crackers, condensed milk, gooey chocolate chips (and butterscotch chips), coconut, and nuts. Here are some things to consider when making this special treat.

Room-temperature ingredients:
To avoid lumps of cream cheese or a broken batter, leave the cream cheese and eggs out at room temperature; about 1 hour in a warmer part of the kitchen should do the trick. Another way to get eggs to room temperature is setting them in warm water for 5 to 10 minutes. When they're no longer a chill to the touch, they’re ready.

The cheesecake base:
If you love a hunky slab of NY-style cheesecake, then this recipe is your jam. The cheesecake base ratio is straightforward: 1 lb. cream cheese, 2 large eggs, and 2/3 c. condensed milk. If you make these and decide you want a thinner cheesecake layer, cut this ratio of ingredients in half.

The chips:
There’s lots of chocolate in this magic bar so don’t fear if they sink to the bottom when baking commences. You’ll get a chocolatey layer between the graham cracker crust and cheesecake layer. If seeing chocolate chips on top makes you happy, add a few to the top in the last few minutes of baking.

Storage:
These magic cheesecake bars will last for up to 3 days in an airtight container in the refrigerator.