Ugh, I’m sorry I’m a one-track kinda pony and apparently can’t think of anything creative to make unless it starts and/or ends with “magic bar.” I’mjustobsessedokaaaayyy?
Magic bars are just so easy, yet they look and taste so elaborate and multidimensional… which is essentially how I wish I could be. AKA, “effortless.”
You know those people. Like Lauren Conrad. You love her and admire her but you also kind of hate her in the deep, gross parts of your soul because she’s so PERFECT and life is so UNFAIR and WHY can’t you look so CHIC every day of your freakin’ LIFE?!
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I mean, I would hardly use the term “effortless” to describe me OR my style. Hello, I apply TWO different kinds of deodorant each morning because I’m convinced one brand alone won’t work. And I was under the impression getting a cute, messy pixie would be adorable with lazy bedhead, but alas, it is not the case since I was mistakenly called a “sir” while out in public.
Also, I’m pretty convinced my hair has a mind of its own and it hates me because it NEVER wants to cooperate with hairstyles. EVER. I’m pretty sure this is payback from the years I spent bleaching the living hell out of it, coloring it abnormal colors, not washing it for weeks on end, and the like. Now somehow I’m on my hair’s personal sh*t list which I didn’t even think could be a thing, but it is since my hair hates me and won’t hold a curl, a tease, a blowout, or anything to save my life. My hair is basically useless and thus, the antithesis of “effortless.”
Because to be effortless, you have to have a DIY/lifestyle blog and have pictures of you all over Pinterest, doing cute, innovative things with your hair, like making it into a bow or embellishing your shorts ever-so-sweetly with lace. And you MUST roll out of bed with theeee most impeccable head of slightly tousled beach waves, a “I only look like I’m wearing makeup but this is just my natural, outrageously gorgeous face” face, and a closet that would make any mere mortal like myself choke on her own drool.
You need this certain air about you, a je ne sais quoi, that makes people gravitate toward you and think you’re the coolest cat around. Also, it’s probably better if you never used the phrase “coolest cat around.”
Anyway, what I’m trying to say is, magic bars are that effortlessly chic dessert. Like if Lauren Conrad was a dessert, she wouldn’t be a frou-frou cupcake or a boring ol’ cookie. She’d be a magic bar: simple, yet completely amazing. Sorry I’m comparing you to food Lauren, I love you.
For Easter, I made super chic Carrot Cake Magic Bars which will wow the tousled curls on every one of your fashionable guests’ heads. It’s no wonder this is my FAVORITE thing to make on the blog: it’s SO easy and tastes incredible, and it’s completely versatile from season to season, flavor to flavor. Plus, it’s an excuse to buy the new Carrot Cake M&M’s, which are so chic, I DIE.
- 1 box carrot cake mix
- 1 egg
- ½ cup butter, melted
- 1 cup shredded coconut
- 1 can [about ¾ cup-1 cup] cinnamon pecans (any candied pecan will work)
- 1 cup Kraft caramel bits
- ¾ cup white chocolate chips
- 1 cup Carrot Cake flavored M&M's candies (available at Walmart)
- 1 can sweetened condensed milk
- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F. Line a 13x9 inch pan with foil, extending the sides of the foil over the edge of the pan. Mist foil lightly with cooking spray and set aside.
- In a large bowl, combine the cake mix, egg + butter with a rubber spatula until blended. Press the mixture evenly in the grease pan. Bake for 10 minutes.
- Remove the pan from the oven and immediately top with the coconut, cinnamon pecans, caramel bits, white chips & M&M's candies evenly. Drizzle with the scmilk. Return to the oven and bake for approx. 15-20 minutes or until top is bubbly and lightly golden.
- Cool the bars completely, then cut and serve! Store leftovers airtight, at room temperature, for several days.
I’ve said it before, but I’m not a carrot cake girl by tradition. There’s something about it I just don’t care for. However, I LOVE when carrot cake is combined with caramel. The caramel adds that layer of buttery richness that’s SO irresistible and typically unique to carrot cake flavored things. I also love the mixture of the cinnamon pecans, adding that extra boost of spice. These were a huge hit!!
Have a great Saturday!
xo, Hayley
Lisa {Sweet 2 Eat Baking} says
I know the feeling, Hayley. Those people that seem to walk out of the door looking oh so fabulouso, fresh faced and a spring in their step. I walk out the door like Hagrid having a bad hair day (is that even possible) and as grouchy as the evil screaming cat on YouTube! 😆
But forgetting all that, I’m a huge fan of your magic bars despite being a carrot cake hater, I’m still betting that I’d love these just as much as I loved your other magic bars. Ooey gooey, sweet as sin and just plain awesome!
Heather @ Sugar Dish Me says
My hair hates me, too. It has a mind of it’s own. No joke.
I bought a bag of the Carrot Cake M & M’s like the first week they had Easter candy on the shelves. They Are SO good! Love your magic bars. Keep em coming.
Kari@Loaves n Dishes says
Oh Haley…I do love carrot cake! These are perfect for the Easter Dessert Buffet… I also love a dessert buffet.
Amanda says
Whoa! Carrot cake M&Ms?! I think my whole life gas been changed! I need to go to the store!
Jess @ Flying on Jess Fuel says
Ahhh! I totally HATE stepping foot in Walmart, but I think I may have to… in the name of those M&M’s!!
Heather says
Hayley…you ate TOO funny!! I’d switch hair with you any day:) mine hates me as we’ll.
And who wouldn’t want to be as effortless as a magic bar!!
LOVE it
cookingactress says
1-I love your hair
2-I can never do the effortless thing either
3-yum
4-omg I was with you for the “sir”! I feel like that person was just dumb though and this was no reflection on you
Kelsey says
These look amazing! I saw the carrot cake m&m’s at Target and was tempted to buy some…now I’m gonna have to!
Back for Seconds says
I have not tried the carrot cake m&m’s yet. I guess I need to! I love a good magic bar. Also, I think your hair is totally cute!!
Ashley @ Kitchen Meets Girl says
I’ve got to get my hands on those M&M’s…you know I love carrot cake anything! 🙂 These bars look outrageously awesome, Hayley! And I think your hair always looks super cute!
crazyforcrust says
OMG Hayley I love ever layer you put in these bars! TO DIE FOR!
Nicole @ Young, Broke and Hungry says
Please never stop making these magic bar creations, they all look so yummy! And the carrot cake M & M’s? OMG, I have died and gone to heaven. I have to find them then make these bars. ASAP.
Jess @ On Sugar Mountain says
Bahahaha I think I’ve been on my hair’s sh*t list once and awhile as well. And pixies do seem effortlessly easy (when they are SO not) as I slowly grow my hair back out. But hey keep these magic bars coming Hayley! No problem with obsessions when they turn out decadent treats like these! 😀
Sharie says
So I made these last night and they are pretty dang delicious! It took me awhile to hunt down those carrot cake M&M’s, I’m not gonna lie! 🙂 For my own personal liking these are a bit too rich for me, so I’d suggest reducing the quantities of all the toppings by just a little bit. They are super good, though, I’d recommend them! I’m so glad I found this blog! All these recipes look KILLER!
The Domestic Rebel says
Hi Sharie! Yes, they are quite sweet! Good tip on reducing the toppings. Those M&M’s are kinda interesting, huh??
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