Pomegranate Magic Bars

Pomegranates make dessert festive and bright with a burst of juicy sweetness. These pomegranate bars are no exception.

Ingredients

  • 1-1/4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 3/4 cup sugar
  • 1/4 cup baking cocoa
  • 3/4 cup cold butter, cubed
  • 1 large egg, room temperature
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 tablespoon sesame seeds, toasted
  • 1 cup sweetened shredded coconut, toasted
  • 1/2 cup slivered almonds, toasted
  • 2 cups (12 ounces ) semisweet chocolate chips
  • 1 can (14 ounces) sweetened condensed milk
  • 1 cup pomegranate seeds

Directions

  • Preheat oven to 350°. Line a 13×9-in. pan with parchment paper, letting ends extend up sides. Lightly grease parchment with cooking spray. In a food processor, combine flour, sugar and cocoa; pulse until combined. Add butter; pulse until mixture appears sandy. Add egg and vanilla; pulse just until combined. Press dough into prepared pan.
  • Sprinkle dough with sesame seeds. Bake until top appears dry and toothpick comes out clean, 20-25 minutes. Remove from oven; sprinkle evenly with coconut, almonds and chocolate chips. Pour condensed milk evenly over top; return to oven. Bake until golden brown, 25-30 minutes. Cool on wire rack 10 minutes.
  • Sprinkle with pomegranate seeds; press gently into warm topping with back of a spoon. Cool completely in pan on wire rack. Lifting with parchment, remove from pan. Cut into bars.
Nutrition Facts

1 bar: 176 calories, 10g fat (6g saturated fat), 19mg cholesterol, 55mg sodium, 22g carbohydrate (17g sugars, 1g fiber), 3g protein.