I love the combination of dark chocolate and tangy raspberry. It's my favorite truffle flavor and adding bits of freeze-dried raspberries to smooth fudge makes my heart go pitter-patter. So when it comes time to make magic bars — those classic layered bars of our childhood — I like including some great raspberry flavor, too:
I used homemade raspberry jam in my version, but any high-quality (look for fruit high on the ingredient label) jam will do. I find my jam tends to be on the thick side. If you are in the same boat, try warming it slightly in the microwave or placing your jar of jam in a bowl of very warm water to soften it. Being able to spread it as evenly as possible will help to make sure each bite of these amazing bars is chock full of raspberry flavor.
Now, maybe you are not the big fan of raspberries that I am. You can opt to use different kinds of jam for different flavored bars. Try strawberry for a chocolate-covered magic bar treat. Blueberries and chocolate are also a fun combination. Even pineapple preserves and chocolate will leave you with thoughts of a Hawaiian paradise. Be creative and enjoy the process of putting together a fantastic treat for you and your family!
Raspberry Magic Bars
- 1/2 cup butter, melted
- 1 box yellow cake mix
- 2 cups semisweet chocolate chips, divided
- 2 cups slivered almonds, divided
- 3 1/2 cups shredded coconut
- 1 (14 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
- 1 1/2 cups raspberry jam
Preheat the oven to 350°F. In a medium bowl, stir together the melted butter and cake mix to form coarse crumbs. Press the mixture into a greased 9x13" pan.
On top of this crust, sprinkle 1 1/2 cups of the chocolate chips and 1 1/2 cups of the slivered almonds. Pour the condensed milk evenly over the top. Sprinkle evenly with the coconut. Carefully spoon the jam over the top as evenly as possible. (You may wish to warm it briefly in the microwave to make it easier to spread.) Sprinkle the top of the bars with the remaining chocolate chips and almonds.
Bake the bars for 25-30 minutes or until the edges are lightly browned. Cool the bars completely before cutting them into bars. Store any leftovers covered in the refrigerator.
- Yields: 24 servings
- Preparation Time: 45 minutes