Unjunked Cookie Bars (Unjunked Holiday Treat - Day 3 of 12)

Day 3: Unjunked Cookie Bars

A Healthier Take on Classic Magic Cookie Bars

If there’s one holiday dessert that shows up everywhere, it’s magic cookie bars.

You know the ones, buttery crust, layers of chocolate, coconut, nuts, and that unmistakably sweet condensed milk holding it all together. They’re nostalgic, rich, and… usually very heavy.

Today’s recipe is about keeping everything you love about classic cookie bars, while unjunking the part that usually leaves you feeling overly full, wired, or crashing afterward.

Welcome to Day 3 of 12 Days of Unjunked Holiday Treats 🎄


These Unjunked Cookie Bars are rich, chocolatey, and deeply satisfying, without refined sugar or store-bought condensed milk.

Why These Lemon Squares Are Different

Traditional magic cookie bars rely on sweetened condensed milk, which is essentially sugar, milk solids, and preservatives cooked down into one very sweet ingredient.

Instead, this recipe uses a homemade condensed milk swap made from coconut milk and maple syrup. It takes a little patience on the stove, but the payoff is huge.

Here’s what makes these bars unjunked:

  • ✔️ No sweetened condensed milk

  • ✔️ Naturally sweetened with maple syrup

  • ✔️ Made with almond & coconut flour

  • ✔️ Rich, layered, and actually satisfying

  • ✔️ Dairy-optional and holiday-approved

Same cozy flavors. Less sugar. No mystery ingredients.

Unjunked Cookie Bars Recipe

Step 1: Make the Homemade Condensed Milk

Simmer on the stove until thickened (about 25 minutes):

  • 1 can (13 oz) full-fat coconut milk

  • ¼ cup pure maple syrup

  • ¼ tsp sea salt

Stir occasionally and let it gently reduce until thick and pourable. Set aside to cool slightly.

Step 2: Make the Cookie Base

In a food processor, combine:

  • ½ cup almond flour

  • ½ cup coconut flour

  • ¼ tsp sea salt

  • ¼ tsp baking soda

  • 1 tsp melted coconut oil

  • ¼ cup maple syrup

  • 1 egg

  • 1 tsp vanilla extract

Process until a soft dough forms.

Press evenly into a parchment-lined baking dish and bake at 350°F for 10 minutes.

Step 3: Add the Layers

Remove crust from oven and top with:

  • 1 cup dark chocolate chips

  • ½ cup chopped pecans

  • ⅓ cup unsweetened shredded coconut

Slowly pour the homemade coconut condensed milk evenly over the top.

Step 4: Bake Again

Return to oven and bake for 25 minutes, until set and lightly golden on top.

Cool completely before slicing into bars.

What to Expect (Texture & Flavor)

These bars are:

  • Soft but structured

  • Rich without being overwhelming

  • Chocolate-forward with nutty crunch

  • Sweet enough to feel like a treat, not a sugar bomb

They slice best once fully cooled and store beautifully in the fridge.

Storage Tips

  • Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days

  • They also freeze well, perfect for prepping ahead during the holidays

Day 3 of the 12 Days of Unjunked Holiday Treats 🎄

This Unjunked Cookie Bar recipe is Day 3 of the 12 Days of Unjunked Holiday Treats.

Over the next 9 days, I’ll be sharing:

  • Healthier versions of classic holiday desserts

  • Simple swaps you can actually stick with

  • Short videos for each recipe on Instagram and Facebook

If you want all 12 recipes in one place, you can grab the free 12 Days of Unjunked Holiday Treats PDF here, which includes every recipe in this series.

If you missed Previous Days, start there with:

➡️ 1. Unjunked Thumbprint Cookies

➡️ 2. Unjunked Lemon Oat Squares

A Simple Holiday Challenge

This week, try making just one unjunked treat instead of the store-bought version.

Not everything needs to be perfect.


You don’t need to unjunk every dessert.

But starting with one recipe, like these Magic Cookie Bars, can completely change how you feel through the season.

Here’s to cozy baking, real ingredients, and holiday treats that actually love you back. 💛

Michelle Walker

a mom, former educator, and the founder of Unjunk America - a movement dedicated to helping families ditch processed foods, decode food labels, and reconnect with real food. With a warm, no-judgment approach, Michelle empowers parents to make simple, sustainable changes in their kitchens, one meal at a time.

Learn more or join the movement at UnjunkAmerica.com.