Cranberry White Chocolate Magic Bars

Cranberry White Chocolate Magic Bars

Magic bars are one of the most popular Holiday baking recipes out there. I remember making them even as a very young child. Its popularity owes much to its ease of preparation which essentially just layers the ingredients before baking.This is a baking recipe even for those who do not bake.

I've seen many variations of this recipe over the years using different nuts and dried fruits too but I really like the contrast of the tart cranberries with the sweet white chocolate...and it looks a bit more festive too.

Cranberry White Chocolate Magic Bars

Recipe by Barry C. Parsons

Cranberry White Chocolate Magic Bars - a differently delicious take on one of the easiest and quickest bar cookies ever invented. The tart pop of the cranberries works well with the sweet white chocolate and the crunch of the toasty almonds. A perfect Holiday baking recipe.

Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 50 minutes
Total time: 1 hour
Yield: 24 cookie bars

Ingredients

• 2 cups graham cracker crumbs
• 3 tbsp white sugar
• 1/2 cup melted butter
• 1 1/4 cups white chocolate chips
• 1 1/2 cups fresh cranberries
• 1 3/4 cups (14 oz can) sweetened condensed milk
• 2 cups roughly chopped almonds

Directions

1. First choose the size of pan you prefer. The bars in the photo are baked in a 9x9 pan because I like them thicker but if you prefer these can be baked in a 9x13 pan for thinner bars. Lightly grease the pan and line it with parchment paper.
2. Mix together the graham crumbs, sugar and butter and press firmly into the bottom of the prepared pan.
3. Sprinkle the white chocolate chips evenly over the base.
4. Sprinkle the cranberries evenly over the chocolate chips.
5. Pour the sweetened condensed milk over the cranberries and white chocolate.
6. Finally sprinkle on the nuts and press down lightly.
7. The 9x9 pan will bake for 45-50 minutes and the 9x13 pan for 30-35 minutes at 350 degrees F.
8. Cool completely in the pan before cutting in bars or squares.
9. These freeze exceptionally well when stored in airtight containers.