Delicious, salted chocolate graham bites are a super easy, chewy, bar cookie, that when cut into bite size pieces makes oodles for a holiday party, cookie exchange, or just to tuck into lunch boxes for a special holiday surprise.
Also called Magic Bars, because these magically come together with very few ingredients and taste like magic!
Looking for more great Christmas cookies? Try these: Classic Shortbread, Eggnog Gooey Butter Cookies, Koulourakia Greek Cookies, and of course the classics like Joy’s Cutout Sugar Cookies and Oatmeal Rolled Sugar Cookies.
I made these chocolate graham bites Thanksgiving week, while we were staying in Crested Butte with family.
I only tell you this because I was in a rental kitchen, at even higher than my normal high altitude and these babies turned out great! Bake away, even in a rental!
Today’s Salted Chocolate Graham Bites recipe is a part of a food blogger virtual cookie swap (The Sweetest Season) hosted by my friend Erin at The Speckled Palate. Here’s how Erin describes it.
“A yearly celebration of sugar and butter. A gathering of Internet friends around a virtual cookie table. A way to make new friends, share new recipes and prepare for the upcoming holiday baking season.”
Erin at The Speckled Palate
How to make Magic Bars, a magical bar cookie
In fact my oldest son asked me at least twice, with an edge to his voice I might add,
“How long have you had this recipe?” and when I answered, “awhile”, he said, “WHY is THIS the first time you are making them??” with a look on his face, that only a 17 year old can have when feeling like he’s been jipped in the cookie department!
Whatev’s! Plus my adult nieces, nephews, brother and sister-in-law, gobbled them up!
I love cookie exchange treats that can easily be made in bulk, so-to-speak. Meaning I am not scooping, rolling or cutting cookies for hours on end.
Simple Chocolate Graham Bite Ingredients
- 1 box (14 oz) organic graham crackers (3 sleeves)
- 2 teaspoons cinnamon
- 2 bags milk chocolate chips, divided (I used Ghirardelli)
- 2 (14 oz) cans organic sweetened condensed milk
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract (I used my homemade bourbon vanilla)
- ½ teaspoon sea salt
- Fleur de Sel or Flaky Sea Salt
- 1 cup powdered sugar (optional topping in place of melted chocolate)
- ¾ cup finely chopped pecans (optional)
- See below for Gluten free and dairy free options
GLUTEN FREE & DAIRY FREE COOKIE OPTIONS
- Gluten free, substitute gluten free graham crackers
- Dairy Free, substitute coconut sweetened condensed milk
- GF & DF sub milk chocolate chips with gluten free – dairy free chips
- Note | I have not tried these options, but my hunch is this is a pretty forgiving recipe and they will most likely work!
Can I make Chocolate Graham cookies ahead of time?
YES! These last well on the counter up to 7 days in an airtight container, may be frozen up to 3 months.
Note that the chocolate might get a bit grayish (still very edible) and the powdered sugar might melt into the cookie. My recommendation would be to freeze as a whole or just the squares before you finish them.
More great Holiday Cookie Exchange Treats
- Andes Mint Brownie Bites
- Sugar Cookie Bites
- Browned Butter Sugar Cookie Bars (I apologize for the photos, need to re-shoot, they are really amazing)
- Pan Banging Sugar Cookies (huge, huge, huge hit)
- Check out all of my holiday recipes here!
PIN to your Christmas Cookies Board!
Merry Christmas and happy cookie baking to you!
Like this recipe?
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Video
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 box 14 oz organic graham crackers (3 sleeves)
- 2 teaspoons cinnamon
- 2 bags milk chocolate chips divided (I used Ghirardelli)
- 2 14 oz cans organic sweetened condensed milk
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon sea salt
- Fleur de Sel or Flaky Sea Salt
- 1 cup powdered sugar optional topping in place of melted chocolate
- ¾ cup finely chopped pecans optional
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350° F (325° for high altitude or dark pans). Line a 9×13 inch pan with parchment paper or aluminum foil, leaving an overhang. Spray with non-stick oil.
- In the bowl of a food processor place 1 sleeve at a time of graham crackers (crushing in the package by hand before dumping in), pulse until fine crumbs, dump into mixing bowl and repeat process.
- Alternatively, this might work in a blender in small batches or place graham’s in a sturdy baggie, crushing with a rolling pin, then rolling until fine crumbs.
- In a large mixing bowl combine graham cracker crumbs, chocolate chips, cinnamon, (pecans if using), sweetened condensed milk, vanilla and sea salt. Stir until combined. It will be very thick and sticky.
- Scoop batter into prepared pan and using plastic wrap or slightly damp hands, press batter evenly into pan. Bake for 20 – 25 minutes, just until set. If at altitude start checking at about 18 minutes. Bars should look dull once ready. Don’t overbake, it’s better if underbaked.
- Cool completely on wire rack. For easier cutting, freeze for 30 minutes after cooling (or may be frozen at this time), slice into 1 inch bites.
Decorating Graham Bites
- For powdered sugar coating, simply place powdered sugar in a bowl and turn cookie bites coating all sides, allow to sit for 15 minutes before serving.
- Melt half package of chocolate chips in microwave safe bowl in 30 second increments, stirring in between until melted. Drizzle onto graham bites and immediately sprinkle with flaky sea salt or fleur de sel.
- TIP | I only decorated a couple of dozen at a time, wrapping the balance of the bar and keeping in the freezer. If cutting from frozen, allow to sit on counter for 20-30 minutes before slicing.
- May be frozen in an airtight container for up to 3 months pre-decorating.
- Decorated, store in airtight container on counter for 5-7 days.
More Options
- Make with chocolate graham crackers and top with white chocolate drizzle
- Try with butterscotch, dark chocolate, semi-sweet, white chocolate or caramel chips
- S’more bites, but adding 1 cup mini marshmallows bits to the batter, or place on the chocolate.
Notes
- Gluten free, substitute gluten free graham crackers
- Dairy Free, substitute coconut sweetened condensed milk
- GF & DF sub milk chocolate chips with gluten free – dairy free chips Note | I have not tried these options, but my hunch is this is a pretty forgiving recipe and they will most likely work!
Nutrition
Cameron Morgan
Definitely took a little longer to bake. And “thick & sticky” certainly described batter. Rave reviews here from the samplers!!
Leanne
These look like a delicious and decadent treat for the holidays! I’m adding them to my Christmas cookie list. My family will love them!
Always love hearing that Leanne!! Thanks! Merry Christmas!
Cheryl - Pook's Pantry
This might be my favorite thing I’ve seen today!!!!! I need these in my life 🙂
LOL! Wow, thank you!!
Sheila Thigpen
I’ve been searching for recipes for a wine & chocolate party and I’m thinking this will have to be added to my sweets list! Love the sea salt finish!
The sea salt (IMO) makes these!!! Thank you Sheila!
Rebecca Costa
these look so yummy! thanks for sharing!
Thank you Rebecca! They are and not overly sweet as you might imagine!
Lauren Schmidt
Love that you can make just one large batch of these plus they are a little different from a typical cookie you would see on a Christmas cookie platter!
Absolutely!! I think that’s what attracted me to them! Thanks Lauren!
Amy Nash
I have been graham cracker obsessed my whole life and the obsession continues with these delicious cookie bites! Cannot wait to make these!
Thank you so much Amy! Me too, what IS it about graham crackers!?
Samantha
These looks great! I love that there are two different decorating options!
Thanks so much Samantha! I love cookies with options!
Rootsy
I know some graham cracker lovers who will be getting these in their holiday care packages. Thanks so much for the recipe!
YAY! You are quite welcome!!
Kathie
Yum! What an amazing combination of flavor. Can’t wait to give these a try.
Thank you Kathie, they are simple and yet unique all in their own way!