Unleash the magic of Halloween with these absolutely irresistible Candy Corn Magic Bars! Designed to be the star attraction at your next festive gathering, these bars boast an incredible seven layers of pure autumnal delight. Imagine a rich Oreo crust, topped with a harmonious blend of sweet coconut, crunchy peanuts, creamy white chocolate chips, buttery butterscotch chips, a generous drizzle of luscious sweetened condensed milk, and finished with vibrant, chewy candy corn pieces. With such an enchanting combination, these bars are destined to disappear in a flash!

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Get Ready for Halloween: My Love Affair with the Spookiest Season and Irresistible Candy Corn Magic Bars

With Halloween just around the corner, I felt it was the perfect time to share my profound affection for this enchanting holiday. I’m not just a fan; I genuinely LOVE Halloween, placing it right up there with Christmas as my absolute favorite time of year. There’s an undeniable charm to everything Halloween encompasses: the creativity of costumes, the sheer joy of candy, the playful spookiness of creatures, the excitement of trick-or-treating, and, of course, the cozy tradition of Halloween movies.

However, when I say “scary movies,” I’m referring to the delightful, cutesy kind – think classics like Hocus Pocus, the heartwarming It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown, and the wonderfully whimsical The Nightmare Before Christmas. My heart simply can’t handle the truly horrifying films that leave you with sweaty palms, screaming at the screen, hiding under blankets, and compulsively checking closets every night. No, I gladly leave those adrenaline-pumping experiences to the brave souls among us. Even in my thirties, I still find myself plagued by nightmares after watching anything too intense. I once tried watching The Walking Dead, only to dream of zombies invading my home and chasing my family and me. Never again! Honestly, if a zombie apocalypse ever struck, I’d probably be the first one to go. #buhbye

Interestingly, there was a time in my childhood when I was quite the daredevil when it came to scary movies. I must have thought I was fearless back then, laughing in the face of terror, LOL. My sister and I would regularly stay up late into the night, eagerly tuning in to Tales from the Crypt – it was our absolute favorite show. We’d make regular trips to the video store (remember those glorious days?) to rent titles like Cujo, Child’s Play (Chucky), and A Nightmare on Elm Street. Thanks, Dad, for fueling our childhood frights! It was “our thing,” and we loved every chilling moment of it. But as an adult, my tolerance for horror has plummeted. Call me a wuss, but I’d much rather spend my evening laughing hysterically than being utterly terrified. I vividly recall seeing Hostel in the theater a few years back and almost walking out because it was so horrifying and grotesque. Movies these days truly aren’t what they used to be, or perhaps, I’m just not who I used to be.

Cherished Memories: The Magic of Childhood Halloween Nights

Beyond the movies, I also harbor incredibly fond memories of trick-or-treating with my dad and sister. Our tradition involved walking around the entire neighborhood block, our bags growing heavier and heavier with each candy-filled stop. We’d make a strategic pit stop back home to offload our overflowing loot, then head back out to hit a few more streets before finally calling it a night. The grand finale was always my mom’s delicious beef stew. She would always stay behind to hand out candy to the neighborhood kids, ensuring that a warm, comforting meal – be it beef stew or something equally hearty – was waiting for us upon our return. Halloween nights were often quite cold, sometimes even rainy, but a little chill or drizzle was never going to stop us from our annual candy quest!

The post-trick-or-treat ritual was just as exciting. My sister and I would meticulously sort our candy and any money we received (yes, we actually got money back then!). We’d promptly discard the handful of plain popcorn the elderly lady down the street would inevitably throw into our bags each year – a tradition we found amusing even then. All the Mary Janes went straight to my mom; they were her absolute favorite. I would eagerly claim all the Snickers bars, while my sister delighted in all the sour candies. It was a perfect win-win-win situation for everyone involved. I truly miss those simpler days, but I’m incredibly thankful to now have children of my own, allowing me to witness the pure joy in their eyes as they sort their own candy hauls. And, not to mention, the occasional Snickers bars I discreetly “borrow” from their bags once they’re fast asleep. Shhh, you know you do it too!

Ah, memories. Don’t you just cherish them? We’ve now started our own beautiful Halloween traditions with our wonderful neighbors. We all take the kids trick-or-treating together, creating a vibrant caravan of costumed fun. Afterwards, we head back to one of our houses to enjoy a festive potluck. The spread usually includes Tom’s delicious chicken and wild rice soup, Avanti’s famous gondolas, my hearty chorizo chili, and for the adults, some playful jello shots. That’s just how we roll! Last year, it was so incredibly cold that we ingeniously set up a “bunker” in the garage, complete with an indoor fireplace. We are serious about our “Lakewood” parties and don’t mess around when it comes to celebrating! 😉 It also warms my heart immensely that my sister comes down each year to join us, taking the children trick-or-treating alongside me. A little bit of nostalgia, especially shared with loved ones, is truly good for the soul.

The Great Candy Corn Debate: A Culinary Revelation

Now, let’s talk about candy corn. It’s one of those iconic Halloween candies that truly divides opinions. You either vehemently love it, or you absolutely despise it, right? Actually, that statement isn’t entirely true for me. I don’t passionately love it, nor do I actively hate it. I’m comfortably in the middle. While I don’t typically reach for a handful of plain candy corn to snack on by itself, I’ve discovered its absolute deliciousness when it’s thoughtfully paired with other ingredients. For instance, it’s phenomenal in a popcorn mix (this is actually my all-time favorite, and I make it every year with the kids while watching our beloved Halloween movies), it adds a delightful chewiness to fudge, and it shines brilliantly in these very Candy Corn Magic Bars.

Of course, in my culinary bubble, I initially thought I was the first brilliant mind to ever conceive of such a combination. A quick Google search, however, quickly humbled me and proved me delightfully wrong. Figures. In the vast and innovative world of food, it often feels like someone is always one delicious step ahead of you! Nevertheless, these Candy Corn Magic Bars have become a beloved staple in my Halloween repertoire, and for good reason.

Crafting the Perfect Halloween Treat: Behind the Layers of Magic Bars

What truly makes these Candy Corn Magic Bars so exceptional, and what I particularly adore about them, is their incredible versatility and the journey of their creation. My initial thought was to incorporate pecans into the mix, but then my mind drifted to my favorite popcorn mix from “The Plain Chicken” blog, which famously uses salted peanuts. The salty crunch of the peanuts provided a perfect counterpoint to the sweetness of the other ingredients, a decision I definitely don’t regret. Then came the chocolate chips. I considered using a festive blend of orange and black chocolate chips, but upon reflection, I decided against any dark brown coloring that might detract from the vibrant Halloween aesthetic I envisioned. So, I meticulously picked out all the orange chips and paired them with classic white chocolate chips, creating a brighter, more playful appearance. But I didn’t stop there with the chips! I also layered in rich butterscotch chips, adding another dimension of sweet, creamy flavor. Next, came a generous sprinkle of shredded sweetened coconut, contributing a lovely texture and tropical hint. Finally, the entire glorious creation was smothered in sweetened condensed milk – truly the liquid gold of the dessert gods. That stuff is just ridiculously good, transforming everything it touches.

A little trick I learned with the candy corn: some pieces, especially those closer to the edges, tend to melt a bit in the oven. To mitigate this, I recommend baking the bars for the initial 25 minutes, then, during the last 5 minutes of baking, sprinkling on the candy corn and gently pressing them into the warm bars before popping them back into the oven for just a final 5 minutes. This method helps preserve their shape and distinct chewiness. The candy corn pieces on the very edge might still soften slightly, but the ones in the middle will remain perfectly intact, adding that signature Halloween touch.

You guys, these Candy Corn Magic Bars are SO, SO incredibly good. They are dangerously delicious, in fact! So good that after enjoying just one (for quality control purposes, of course!), I promptly sent the entire pan to my husband’s work. Why? Because I know myself too well – if they stayed in my kitchen, I would undoubtedly devour the entire pan in a single day, and my butt and thighs definitely do not need that kind of delicious indulgence. Believe me, the sacrifice was necessary for my waistline! So, without further ado, I present to you the recipe for these utterly captivating and undeniably delicious Candy Corn Magic Bars. Get ready to bake some Halloween magic!

Candy Corn Magic Bars

Prep 15 mins

Cook 30 mins

Total 45 mins

Author Strawberry Blondie Kitchen

Yield 12

Candy Corn Magic bars are a real Halloween treat and will be a hit at your next party! They feature 7 layers of oreo crust, coconut, peanuts, white chocolate chips, butterscotch chips, sweetened condensed milk and candy corn pieces. With a combination like that, how could you go wrong?

Ingredients

1 package Golden Oreos (approximately 24 cookies)
6 tablespoons butter, melted
1/2 cup salted peanuts, chopped
1/4 cup orange chocolate chips (or regular chocolate chips, sorted)
1/4 cup white chocolate chips
1/2 cup butterscotch chips
3/4 cup shredded sweetened coconut
9 ounces sweetened condensed milk (about 2/3 cup)
1 cup candy corn

Instructions

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius). Line an 8×8 inch (20×20 cm) baking pan with aluminum foil, ensuring it overhangs slightly on the sides for easy removal, and spray it generously with cooking spray.
In a food processor, finely process 24 Golden Oreos until they form fine crumbs. Once crumbly, slowly pour in the melted butter while the processor is running until well combined.
Press the Oreo crumb mixture firmly and evenly into the bottom of your prepared baking pan. Bake for 5 minutes, or until the crust is lightly golden brown and fragrant.
Carefully remove the pan from the oven. On top of the warm Oreo crust, evenly layer the orange and white chocolate chips.
Next, sprinkle the shredded coconut, butterscotch chips, and chopped peanuts over the chocolate chips layer.
Pour the sweetened condensed milk over all the layered ingredients, making sure to spread it evenly to coat everything.
Return the pan to the oven and bake for 25 minutes, or until the edges are golden and the center is set.
Remove the pan from the oven. Evenly sprinkle the candy corn pieces over the top of the hot bars and gently press them into the surface. Bake for an additional 5 minutes to slightly soften the candy corn.
Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack before lifting them out using the foil overhang. Once cool, cut them into 12 even bars.

Notes

*Some candy corn pieces, particularly those on the edges of the pan, may melt a little during the final baking stage. This is normal and adds to the gooey texture!

Courses Dessert

Cuisine Halloween

I’ve got one more exciting Halloween recipe coming up for you next week, so definitely stay tuned! It’s for a classic Halloween treat that is so incredibly easy to make at home, you’ll wonder why you ever bothered buying those pre-packaged three-packs from the store!

Enjoy these delightful Candy Corn Magic Bars, and if you make this recipe, please share a photo on social media and tag it with #strawberryblondiekitchen. I absolutely love to see your wonderful creations and how you bring these recipes to life!