Name: Enchanted Magic Cookie Bars: A Delightful Treat for Any Occasion Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 45 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 ½ cups all‑purpose flour; ½ cup granulated sugar; ¼ teaspoon salt; ¾ cup unsalted butter, melted; 8 ounces cream cheese, softened; ½ cup powdered sugar; 2 large eggs; 1 ½ teaspoons pure vanilla extract; ¼ cup heavy cream; ½ cup dark chocolate chips (70% cacao); 2 tablespoons unsalted butter; 1 tablespoon light corn syrup (optional, for shine)

Jump to Recipe

Introduction

Enchanted Magic Cookie Bars are a luscious layered treat that combines a buttery crust, creamy filling, and rich chocolate topping. Perfect for any occasion, these bars delight with their mix of textures and flavors in every bite.

A stack of three dessert bars on a white plate with a white marbled background, each bar showing two main layers: a thick, light golden-brown, chewy base with a slightly rough texture, and a glossy, dark chocolate layer on top that is melting and dripping down the sides; the top layer is decorated with colorful sprinkle shapes in orange, pink, white, yellow, and blue scattered on the surface as well as around the plate, creating a playful and festive look, with soft natural light highlighting the shiny chocolate and the texture of the base, photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

1 ½ cups all‑purpose flour
½ cup granulated sugar
¼ teaspoon salt
¾ cup unsalted butter, melted
8 ounces cream cheese, softened
½ cup powdered sugar
2 large eggs
1 ½ teaspoons pure vanilla extract
¼ cup heavy cream
½ cup dark chocolate chips (70% cacao)
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 tablespoon light corn syrup (optional, for shine)

Instructions

Step 1: Preparing the Crust. In a medium bowl, combine the flour, granulated sugar, and salt. Drizzle the melted butter over the dry ingredients and stir with a fork until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Press the dough evenly into the bottom of a greased 8-inch square baking pan.
Step 2: Baking the Base. In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese until smooth. Gradually add the powdered sugar, beating until light and fluffy. Whisk in the eggs one at a time, followed by the vanilla extract and heavy cream. Pour this mixture over the pressed crust and spread evenly.
Step 3: Assembling and Baking. Chill the assembled crust and filling in the refrigerator for about 20 minutes. Meanwhile, melt the dark chocolate chips and 2 tablespoons unsalted butter together in a microwave-safe bowl, heating in 20-second bursts and stirring between each until smooth. Stir in the optional light corn syrup for extra shine. Pour the chocolate layer over the chilled filling. Bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 25-30 minutes or until the filling is set. Let cool completely before slicing into bars.

Tips & Variations

For a nutty crunch, sprinkle chopped walnuts or pecans over the chocolate layer before baking.
Use white chocolate chips instead of dark chocolate for a sweeter topping.
Ensure cream cheese is fully softened to avoid lumps in the filling.
Chill bars thoroughly before slicing to get clean edges.

Storage

Store the bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Before serving, allow them to come to room temperature for about 15 minutes. You can also freeze the bars for up to 2 months; thaw overnight in the refrigerator before enjoying.

How to Serve

A stack of three thick, soft blondie squares sits centered on a white plate with a white marbled surface beneath. Each blondie layer is light golden with a slightly crumbly texture, dotted with small colorful sprinkles inside. Chocolate sauce drips generously over and between the layers, creating shiny dark brown streams. The top blondie is decorated with tiny white, orange, and blue sprinkles and a few small white marshmallows, adding playful texture. The sprinkles also scatter around the base of the plate. A blurred background shows a woman's hand reaching from behind the stack, ready to grab a blondie. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use low-fat cream cheese for the filling?

While low-fat cream cheese can be used, it may affect the texture and richness of the filling, making it less creamy and dense.

Is it necessary to add corn syrup to the chocolate topping?

No, the corn syrup is optional and helps give the chocolate a glossy finish. You can omit it without impacting the flavor significantly.