magic cookie bars

Also called 7 layer bars or Hello Dolly bars, these magic cookie bars truly are. Easy and delicious, magic bar cookies are a fantastic make-ahead dessert for any occasion.

7 layer magic bars

What are magic cookie bars?

A buttery, graham cracker crust with chocolate chips, butterscotch or peanut butter chips, sweetened coconut, walnuts or pecans, and a sweetened condensed milk drizzled on top and baked to perfection.

Magic happens in the oven to create one of the best cookie bars ever.

where did seven layer bars originate?

The bars were born in the mid 1960s, and the first iteration is believed to have been on a can of Eagle brand sweetened condensed milk.

The name "Hello Dolly" was attached to the bars, as the recipe became popular as Hello Dolly, starring Carol Channing, gained popularity on Broadway.

more delicious cookies

how to you make magic cookie bars?

These bars are also called seven layer bars because of the seven layers, of course. You will need:

GRAHAM CRACKERS

You'll need to crush graham crackers for the crust. Pulverize the crackers in a food processor, or place in a large Ziplock bag and crush with a mallet or rolling pin.

You'll need 1 ½ cups, which is 9 to 10 crackers.

BUTTER

I prefer salted butter in this recipe to balance the sweetness. One stick (8 tablespoons) will do. The butter is combined with the graham cracker crumbs.

CHOCOLATE CHIPS

Use one cup (which is half of a small bag) of semi-sweet chocolate chips.

BUTTERSCOTCH OR PEANUT BUTTER CHIPS

I used one cup of peanut butter chips in this recipe, but butterscotch chips are also delicious (and more readily available).

SWEETENED COCONUT FLAKES

You'll need one cup of sweetened coconut, which you can find in the baking aisle of the supermarket.

WALNUTS OR PECANS

Coarsely chop ¾ cup of walnuts or pecans. Really, you can use any of your favorite nuts.

SWEETENED CONDENSED MILK

The key ingredient to bringing it all together! One 14-ounce can of sweetened condensed milk.

I prefer the Eagle or Carnation brand.

SEA SALT

This 8th ingredient is optional: Coarse sea salt. I like to sprinkle a bit of sea salt on the magic bars after baking to help balance the sweetness.

The traditional recipe does not call for a sprinkle of salt.

EQUIPMENT you'll need

• 9 x 13 inch baking pan
• parchment paper

STEPS to make 7 layer bars

step one: prepare

Line the baking dish with parchment paper. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

step two: make the graham cracker crust

In a large saucepan, melt the butter over medium low heat. Remove from heat and stir in the graham cracker crumbs until well-mixed. Press to evenly cover the bottom of the baking dish with the graham cracker mixture.

step three: add your layers

Sprinkle the chocolate chips and peanut butter chips evenly.
Next, sprinkle the coconut, then the walnuts.

Drizzle the sweetened condensed milk over the top.

step four: bake

Bake uncovered until golden, about 30 to 35 minutes.

Let cool completely before cutting into 18 squares.

Do you need to refrigerate magic cookie bars?

You do not need to refrigerate seven layer bars. However, some prefer the taste of chilled bars.

Can you freeze magic bars?

Yes! You can easily freeze these cookie bars. For best results, cut the bars and freeze as separate squares.

Once frozen, package the bars in a freezer-safe container.

TIPS to making 7 layer magic bars

• Line your 9 x 13 inch baking pan with parchment paper for easy clean up!
• Make sure to thoroughly mix the graham cracker crumbs and melted butter.
• Use your hands to evenly press the graham cracker crust to fully cover the bottom of the pan.
• For extra thick treats, use a 9 x 9 inch pan instead.
• Try toasting the coconut first!
• Mix up your chocolate chips. Try white chocolate chip or other flavors.
• LET COOL COMPLETELY before cutting squares. It's much easier. You can speed the cooling by placing the bars in the refrigerator.

Hello Dolly bars video

recipe

Continue to Content

Yield: 18 bars

7 layer magic cookie bars

Print

The BEST seven layer magic cookie bars -- A drizzle of sweetened condensed milk over graham cracker crust, chocolate chips, butterscotch or peanut butter, coconut, and pecans and baked to magic perfection.

Prep Time 20 minutes

Cook Time 30 minutes

Total Time 50 minutes

Ingredients

• 1 ½ cups crushed graham crackers (6.03 ounces or 177 grams)
• ½ cup (1 stick) salted butter (4 ounces or 113 grams)
• 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips (6 ounces or 169 grams)
• 1 cup peanut butter or butterscotch chips (6 ounces or 169 grams)
• 1 cup sweetened coconut (3 ounces or 84 grams)
• ¾ cup coarsely chopped pecans or walnuts (2.8 ounces or 78 grams)
• 1 can (14 ounces) sweetened condensed milk (397 grams)
• Sprinkle of coarse sea salt (optional)

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Line a 9 x 13 inch baking pan with parchment paper. TIP: Crease the paper at the edges.

In a large saucepan over medium low heat, place the butter. Heat, stirring occasionally, until almost melted.

Remove from heat and stir until fully melted. Add the graham cracker crumbs and stir until fully combined.

Pour the crumbs into the baking dish and spread evenly, pressing to form a crust. Be sure to cover the entire bottom of the dish.

Sprinkle evenly on top the chocolate chips, peanut butter or butterscotch chips, coconut, and nuts.

Drizzle the sweetened condensed milk over the entire mixture. This will cover most of the mixture.

Bake uncovered until golden brown, 30 to 35 minutes.

Let cool completely before cutting into squares.

Notes

Line your 9 x 13 inch baking pan with parchment paper for easy clean up!

Make sure to thoroughly mix the graham cracker crumbs and melted butter.

Use your hands to evenly press the graham cracker crust to fully cover the bottom of the pan.

For extra thick treats, use a 9 x 9 inch pan instead.

Try toasting the coconut first!

Mix up your chocolate chips. Try white chocolate chip or other flavors.

LET COOL COMPLETELY before cutting squares. It's much easier. You can speed the cooling by placing the bars in the refrigerator.

Store, covered, at room temperature OR in the refrigerator.

May be frozen.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

18

Serving Size:

1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 275Total Fat: 19gSaturated Fat: 7gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 10gCholesterol: 2mgSodium: 161mgCarbohydrates: 26gFiber: 3gSugar: 17gProtein: 5g

HowToMakeEasyCookies.com offers nutritional information for recipes contained on this site as a courtesy and is an estimate only. This information comes from online calculators. To obtain the most accurate representation of the nutritional information in any given recipe, you should calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients you use to create this recipe.

more treats you'll love

• SCOTCHEROOS are the Rice Krispie Treat version of magic bars.
• Chocolate peanut butter fudge is divine.
• Try these easy Almond Joy cookies.
• You can't go wrong with classic chocolate truffles.

• Author
• Recent Posts

Follow Me

Meaghan Mountford

Hi! I’m Meaghan, the creator behind the edible art and recipes at TheDecoratedCookie.com. I’m the author of two food craft cookbooks: SUGARLICIOUS and COOKIE SENSATIONS. I’ve teamed up with Beth for more fun in the kitchen making easy, sweet treats.

Follow Me

Latest posts by Meaghan Mountford (see all)

• Fudgy Brownies Recipe - June 28, 2023
• watermelon slice cookies - June 15, 2023
• white cake mix cookies - May 26, 2023