Monday, May 9, 2011

Paula Deen's Magic Bars



I remember my aunt making magic bars for the
first time.  I thought they were truly magical.
There are a lot of variations on magic bars
out there and when Lynn at 
announced she was hosting a party featuring
Paula Deen's recipes, I knew I wanted
to try Paula's version of Magic Bars.

I grew up watching 
Julie Child
and
The Galloping Gourmet
long before the wonders of The Food Network.
My sister Jean and I would cook in the kitchen and
pretend we were Julia Child (trying to imitate her 
accent) and instructing an imaginary television audience.

(photo courtesy of Photobucket.com)

Then Food Network with all of its incredible stars
came along and I loved, loved, loved it!  I couldn't get
enough of it.  One day my sister-in-law Vicki asked if
I had tried Paula Deen's recipe for fudge using Velveeta.
I hadn't even heard of Paula Deen.  Well, once I checked
out Paula, I was in love.


(photo courtesy of Photobucket.com)

Who wouldn't be charmed by this enchanting lady?

My favorite part of Paula's fabulous show is when 
she takes a bite of what she makes and she rolls her eyes!
What an endearing southern woman!

Here's to Paula Deen - a modern day rags to riches story.


Instead of graham cracker crumbs, Paula starts her Magic Bars
out with chocolate chip cookies.


Then she tops then with chocolate chips, butterscotch chips,
toffee pieces and pecans.



The finale is sweetened condensed milk, as usual.



I tweaked her recipe just a little to have a thicker bar.
Hope you try this and enjoy it as much as we did.


Magic Chocolate Chip Bars
1 lb. frozen of fresh cookie dough
(I used 12 frozen Otis Spunkmeyers, she calls for
a package of refrigerated dough.)
1 C. semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 C. butterscotch chips
1 C. toffee bits
1 C. chopped pecans
1 can sweetened condensed milk

Preheat oven to 350.

Lightly spray a 9x13 inch pan with Pam (she called for
a 10x15, but I wanted mine thicker).  Lightly flour your hands
then press the thawed
cookie dough into bottom of pan, completely covering the
pan.  Bake for 8 minutes.  Remove from oven and sprinkle
with all of the chips and bits and nuts.  Pour the sweetened
condensed milk over the top.

Return to oven and bake for an additional 20-25 minutes
or until lightly browned.  Let cool completely before
cutting into bars.

These are really hard to resist.  They are perfect
for my one daughter as she is not a fan of coconut.

Click here for a printable recipe.



I enjoyed the addition of the butterscotch chips as I 
love that flavor.

and 
wallow
in more Paula Deen goodies
on May 17th.

I found the recipe in Paula Deen's Best Desserts
Magazine and since
Kitchen Bouquet is having her Great Cooking
Magazine Challenge, I thought I'd join her party too.
Come over and see the fun recipes people made from 
their collection of cooking magazines.

(I need to cook more out of 
my magazines don't you?)

I will be posting this with
Jacqueline
Jacqueline

Chocolat - French for Chocolate. I adored chocolate from a young age when I had to sneak in the cupboard to find where my mother had hidden the Nestle's Chocolate Chips. Having read about the famous chocolat shoppes in Paris, when I finally got there I was determined to try a chocolate from every Paris shoppe. I invite you to share my adventures in creating, in travel, and in life.

35 comments:

  1. I didn't think it could be possible to improve on these bars, but the use of chocolate chip cookie dough as the base is brilliant. I just gained 15 pounds...the yummy way.

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  2. I know, leave it to Paula to add more "butter" or fat any way she can.

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  3. Rich and decadent, just my style of cookie!!! xo,

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  4. I want to go stay in Paula's guest house. However, I might never leave. These look AMAZING. Must share on my FB page!

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  5. Oh, those bars look sinfully delicious and I'd love to have one of them now. I love Paula Deen and she autographed one of her great cook books for me. She is a hoot and has great recipes!

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  6. Y'All sure made some great looking cookies Jacqueline:@) I'm sure the "magic" part is how quickly they disappear! Linky will be up this Friday, 5/13, thanks so much for playing along:@)

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  7. O my goodness! Queen Jaqueline, when I saw these magic bars my heart stopped beating!! I am gonna make them right now! They look absolutely divine! And it's soooo true, magic bars are Magic! :-)

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  8. Paula's put a tasty twist on this long time favorite!

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  9. Paula Deen is one of my favorite chefs! I have heard of these bars but never tried them, hopefully that'll change soon because they look good!

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  10. Omgosh even looking at the pictures makes my teeth hurt! Man, I want some of these right now. *droooool*

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  11. I'm salivating! I'm sure these taste even better than they look - which is amazing.

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  12. These do sound wonderful and so full of calories and fat..my favorite food! LOL

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  13. I have such a sweet tooth and I think these would take care of it just fine! I love Paula, everything about her is so sweet! Thanks for the recipe!

    XO,
    Janie

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  14. OMG These bars look absolutely amazing! gloria

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  15. Add me to the list of Paula fans! Although her treats are yummy, I'm amazed the woman is still in good health if she actually eats like that regularly.

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  16. A great recipe to have in your repertoire! Thanks for joining in on the Great Cooking Magazine challenge :-)

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  17. You've got my mouth watering...those bars look delicious. I love slices with crunchy nut textures and chocolate!!

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  18. Bonjour Jacqueline
    It's time to have lunch
    your images makes me feel hungry
    Miam!
    Thank you
    Frieda

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  19. YOWSER!...boy-O-boy could I eat about 1/2 dozen!yum!

    I do love Paula Deen.
    Hey I cooked her,blueberry muffins from her book,"It Ain't all about the cookin'",the muffins and her memoir was so good.
    Come on over and check it out!
    ~JO
    LazyonLoblolly

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  20. Jacqueline- your blog is so inspiring! I feel as if im in my favorite boutique and don't want to leave. Im trying these bars "your" way tonight for my girls... (altho we all are fans of Paula too)! Who doesn't use real butter? :)
    I'll be visiting your beautiful blog again soon.

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  21. I gain weight just reading Paula's recipes and looking at these photos...oh yum. Now i'm hooked!

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  22. "Delicious"!!! I love Paula, she's so much fun with her bubbly personality. She can make anyone smile. I saw her on Jay Leno a few years back and the two of them were cooking and "It was SO MUCH FUN to watch them", they got super silly...LOVE her accent too. My Mom and I used to watch "The Galloping Gourmet" every day and Mom tried lots of his recipes.
    Thank you for sharing ALL your goodies with us. I LOVE your taste in food...
    Hugs,
    Donna

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  23. I MUST try this version with the choc. chip cookie dough! Out of this world!

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  24. Love Paula! I do have to say though that I believe I just gained about 13 lbs reading this. Thanks so much for sharing!

    xo
    Pat

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  25. Love Paula! I do have to say though that I believe I just gained about 13 lbs reading this. Thanks so much for sharing!

    xo
    Pat

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  26. These look so amazing. I love that they start off with chocolate chip cookies. What a hoot! I just love Paula. :-)

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  27. I love Paula too - she seems like such a down to earth and genuine person.

    I remember watching Julia and Graham too - on PBS, and only on the weekends (might have been on during the week while I was at school). I'm so glad we have 24/7 food channels now.

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  28. I'm a big Paula Deen fan too and love her recipes and her Savannah Style. The magic bars look so yummy. I haven't tried those as I used to make the old one with the coconut, but I'll try this one the next time. Well, I'm going back over to Happier Than a Pig in Mud to "wallow" in some more goodies.
    Have a great weekend,
    Babs

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  29. You had me at "Paula Deen." I love that woman.

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  30. I LOVE magic bars and I have never seen this version but I know I have to try it! ;)

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  31. Oh my, these looks and sound so good. You can never go wrong with any thing Paula! Can't wait to make these!

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  32. Yum. I want one ...or two..right now! :)

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  33. Oh boy do these look good! Anything of Paula Deen's is usually amazing anyways but YUM! Also wanted to say hi, I'm your newest follower. I'd love for you to check me out sometime.

    http://pinchofthisthatandtheother.blogspot.com/

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  34. I love, love, love Magic Bars! Oh the Galloping Gourmet! I'd love to see an episode now, I know it would be good for a laugh or two.

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