Magic cookie bars just got a makeover!

Classic magic cookie bars, also known as 7-layer bars, are typically made with milk chocolate chips, nuts like pecans or walnuts, and shredded coconut. However, I wanted to create my own version with flavors from my Cuban culture.

“Magic” doesn’t even begin to explain how amazing these are. The first time I made them, the pan was devoured before I even took the photos…which is why I had to make them again.

Let me show you how I make these guava magic cookie bars!

5 stars
5 Star Review

“These cookie bars are my secret weapon. They make perfect holiday cookies and they blow people away EVERY time. Thank you!”

—Nora
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Growing up in a Cuban family, guava was everywhere… in Cuban pastries, cake bars (masareal), you name it. These cookie bars are my way of turning that nostalgic guava flavor into something fun!

My version of these magic cookie bars starts with a Maria cookie crust instead of graham crackers… buttery, golden, and just a little sweet.

From there, it’s all about layers: cubes of guava paste, white chocolate chips, crunchy sliced almonds, and a generous handful of toasted coconut flakes. Then comes the drizzle of sweetened condensed milk that ties everything together like magic.

They’re gooey in the center, crisp on the edges, and every bite is a little bit chewy, a little bit melty, and a whole lot of guava-and-white-chocolate goodness.

♥️ My family absolutely loves guava – Duh! Once we made these magic cookie bars, we made my guava jam thumbprint cookies too, because you can never have too much guava!

These bars hold up well. You don’t have to refrigerate them, but I like to stash a few in the fridge so they stay a little firmer.

These cookie bars make such a great dessert for potlucks, holiday gatherings, or even office parties. I love serving them with a Cuban espresso or packing them up in cute little boxes for gifts.

I just know you will LOVE them!

4.45 from 18 reviews

White Chocolate Guava Magic Cookie Bars

Jamie Silva
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
Yield: 24 bars
Magic cookie bars made with Maria cookies, sweetened condensed milk, guava paste, white chocolate chips, sliced almonds, and toasted coconut. The Maria cookie crust gives them a buttery, lightly sweet base, while the guava adds a tangy flavor in every bite. Gooey in the center with crisp, golden edges. They’re rich, chewy, and seriously addictive.
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Ingredients
 

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 350ºF. Line a baking pan with parchment paper hanging over the sides of a 9×13 pan. This will help with removing the bars from the pan after baking.
  • In a food processor, blend the Maria cookies until they are finely crushed. Transfer them to a bowl and mix them with butter until the mixture looks like wet sand.
  • Transfer the Maria cookie and butter mixture to the pan and pat it down to the bottom of the pan using the bottom of a cup to form the crust.
  • Pour sweetened condensed milk evenly over the crust making sure every inch of the crust is covered.
  • Add the cubed guava paste and sprinkle the white chocolate chips, sliced almonds, and coconut flakes evenly, in that order, over the sweetened condensed milk.
  • Carefully, press down on the ingredients firmly in the pan so they can all bind together when baking.
  • Bake for 25 to 30 minutes or until lightly browned. Cool the bars completely before slicing and serving. Enjoy!

Notes

These bars will last 3 days at room temperature, about 1 week in the fridge in an airtight container, or in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Serving: 1bar, Calories: 180kcal, Carbohydrates: 17.5g, Protein: 3.1g, Fat: 11.5g, Saturated Fat: 6.5g, Cholesterol: 17mg, Sodium: 38mg, Potassium: 149mg, Fiber: 1.3g, Sugar: 14.6g, Calcium: 60mg, Iron: 0.9mg
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American, Cuban
Keyword: dessert recipes, guava dessert, magic cookie bar recipe, magic cookie bars, magic cookie bars recipe, white chocolate dessert
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