Warning: This is not a fat-free recipe. In fact, there is absolutely nothing healthy about these vegan magic cookie bars except, perhaps, the nuts. Though these bars are a little lower in fat than their non-vegan counterparts (and have no cholesterol), this is definitely the most fat-filled, junk foodish recipe that you’ll see on this blog, ever. I just want to make that clear right from the start or else I’ll get letters. I’ll probably still get letters. (You know who you are.)

Have you ever gotten a craving for something and you finally just had to give in? My mother used to make these overly-rich but amazing treats for holidays and special occasions, but in the last few years I never even thought about them, assuming that they were lost to me because they contain a primary ingredient that is so non-vegan that it’s hard to conceive of a workable substitute. But something I saw on another blog or in a magazine must have reminded me of them because suddenly the craving was there and I just couldn’t let it go.

No, strike that. I think I could have let the craving die a natural death, but there was something about the challenge of veganizing a seemingly unveganizable recipe that spurred me on.

Sure, the idea of revisiting an old childhood favorite had its appeal, but I think the explorer in me just wanted to see if it could be done. So I spent literally days coming up with a recipe that I thought might work before putting it to the test, afraid even as I did it that I’d wind up wasting my time and ingredients. But, miracle of miracles, it worked, and they tasted just like how I remember my Mom’s.

What are they like? They’re decadent. They’re melted chocolate, coconut, and nuts on a buttery crust of graham cracker crumbs held together by a creamy layer of…Eagle Brand Sweetened Condensed Milk? Well, they used to be, but not anymore. Believe it or not, my old friend silken tofu worked its magic again!

I suppose these vegan magic cookie bars are not too much of an extravagance if you can keep yourself from eating more than one (in my dreams!) Still, I’ll be reserving these for special occasions. I’m definitely bringing some to my parents’ house for Christmas!

Again: Not a fat-free recipe!

Print 5 from 4 votes Add to Recipe BoxGo to Recipe Box Vegan Magic Cookie Bars I don’t recommend substituting this tofu mixture in every recipe containing sweetened condensed milk, but it does work in this one. The cornstarch helps it thicken as it cooks, so definitely don’t try it in recipes that are not cooked. Prep Time 10 minutes Cook Time 30 minutes Total Time 40 minutes Servings 16 bars Author Susan Voisin Ingredients 1/3 cup extra-firm silken tofu 1/3 cup extra-firm silken tofu

1/3 cup vanilla soymilk 1/3 cup vanilla soymilk

1/3 cup unbleached sugar 1/3 cup unbleached sugar

1 tablespoon cornstarch 1 tablespoon cornstarch

1/4 cup Earth Balance Margarine see note 1/4 cup Earth Balance Margarine see note

3/4 cup graham cracker crumbs check package ingredients carefully–most aren’t vegan 3/4 cup graham cracker crumbs check package ingredients carefully–most aren’t vegan

1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans

2/3 cup flaked coconut 2/3 cup flaked coconut

3/4 cup vegan semi-sweet chocolate chips 3/4 cup vegan semi-sweet chocolate chips Instructions Preheat the oven to 350F and spray a glass 8×8-inch baking dish with non-stick spray. In a blender, puree the tofu, soymilk, cornstarch, and sugar until completely smooth.

Put the margarine into a bowl and melt it in the microwave (or do this on the stove and pour into a bowl). Add the graham cracker crumbs and mix until well-moistened. Pour them into the prepared baking dish and press evenly to cover the bottom of the pan.

Pour the tofu mixture over the crust. Sprinkle with the nuts, coconut, and chocolate chips, and press it all into the dish firmly with a fork.

Bake for about 30 minutes, until lightly browned. Cool completely before cutting into about 16 bars. Devour! Notes If you want to attempt a lower-fat version, try replacing the margarine with 2 tablespoons of aquafaba (liquid from canned chickpeas) or any plant milk. The exact nutrition will vary depending on the type of chocolate chips and other ingredients you use. Nutrition Facts Vegan Magic Cookie Bars Amount Per Serving (1 bar) Calories 160 Calories from Fat 81 % Daily Value* Fat 9g 14% Cholesterol 0mg 0% Sodium 71mg 3% Carbohydrates 17g 6% Fiber 0g 0% Protein 3g 6% * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet. Tried this recipe? Post a photo to Instagram and tag @susanffvk

Some ideas for future testing: Leaving out margarine and making them with this oatmeal crust instead.

Carob chips?

Agave nectar instead of sugar

In my next post I will atone by making something super-healthy. I’m thinking winter squash, greens, and beans. Yum!

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