Idiot-proof doesn't come close to describing these bars. I mean, you don't even need a bowl to make them! It's a simple case of layering 5 ingredients and banging the tray in the oven. No stirring, no mixing, and no effort. But I don't promise that waiting for them to bake won't take effort because it will. It will in fact be torture. Now I hear you asking, 'But Kate, why are they magic?!' Well, because you just layer the ingredients in the baking tin, and while they are in the oven, they magically split into a crumbly biscuit layer, a sticky caramelised toffee layer and a nutty, chocolatey layer on top.
What I love the most about these magic bars, besides the fact that they're ridiculously easy and decadent, is that they're just as versatile. Don't like coconut? Swop it out for oats, or puffed rice or granola. Add more nuts, take out the chocolate, sprinkle in smarties or chocolate malty balls, the sky is the limit!
Magic 5 ingredient chocolate bars
No mixing, no washing up, simply layer the ingredients in a baking pan and the bars magically come together during baking.
(makes 24)
125g butter or margarine, melted
150g chocolate or digestive biscuits, crushed
1 tin (395g) sweetened condensed milk
1 cup chocolate chips or chopped chocolate
2 ½ cups chopped nuts, coconut or oats (or a combination of all)
Preheat oven to 180°C. Grease and line a 20 x 20cm non-stick baking pan.
Pour the melted butter into the tray and sprinkle the biscuit crumbs over evenly.
Pour the condensed milk over. Layer the remaining ingredients on top one at a time and press down firmly with the back of a spoon. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until light brown. Loosen from the sides while still warm and cool on a wire rack. Cut into bars.
Hi Katelyn - I tried these out but they didn't turn out well. Followed the recipe exactly, and baked for 35 minutes. Except I mixed the coconut and oats and nuts all together, and then put it on top. The top was light brown, but they came out very soft and runny, also the top layer hadn't incorporated so when I turned it over to turn it out, about 1/3 of the oats/coconut was still dry and just fell off. Tastes divine but not happy that it didn't all come together. Do you think I need to bake longer maybe? - Thx, Sandra
ReplyDeleteTry pouring the condensed milk on last to hold the toppings on. I make something similar and the milk goes on top in my recipe.
DeleteHi Sandra
ReplyDeleteOh, what a pity! It sounds like they needed to be baked a little longer - the condensed milk caramelizes and turns to toffee which holds the bar together. Also, did you press the oats/coconut/nut mixture down firmly into the condensed milk? And you used a 20 x 20cm baking tin? Let me know so I can help make sure that next time you get the deliciousness that these bars are supposed to be! They're seriously addictive!