These delicious and simple 7 Layer Bars are the definition of indulgence. These bars come together in a matter of minutes and are layered with buttery graham crackers, gooey chocolate, rich butterscotch, toasty coconut, toasted nuts, and caramel-like goodness. There is no secret as to why these treats are a crowd favorite — they are simply magical!
What are 7 Layer Bars?
7 Layer Bars, also known as Magic Cookie Bars or Hello Dolly Bars, are a classic dessert known for their delicious layers of ingredients that come together to create a rich and magical treat. What makes 7 Layer Bars truly magical is their simplicity in preparation.
What sets my recipe apart from the traditional recipe is the crust and the use of hazelnuts. I love a good cookie crust, so this recipe starts with a thicker cookie base of graham crackers and melted butter, which forms a sturdy foundation for these bars. Next comes a generous sprinkle of chocolate and butterscotch chips, followed by shredded coconut, chopped hazelnuts, and finally, and a drizzle of sweetened condensed milk, which binds all the ingredients together.
Once these 7-layers of magical deliciousness are out of the oven, I finish the cookie bars with flaky salt, which aids in creating the perfect balance for these delectable treats.
More Delicious Bar Recipes
- Banana Bars with Chocolate Chips
- The Best Fudge Brownies
- Soft and Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars
- Smores Bars Recipe (Soft and Gooey)
7 Layer Bar Ingredients
- Graham Crackers
- Butter
- Chocolate Chips
- Butterscotch Chips
- Shredded Coconut
- Hazelnuts
- Sweetened Condensed Milk
- Vanilla Extract
- Flaky Salt
How to Make this 7 Layer Bars Recipe?
Step 1: Preheat the oven to 350F. Line a 9×13 baking dish with parchment paper and lightly grease. Set aside.
Step 2: Make the cookie crust by placing your graham crackers in a food processor or blender and grind them into fine. Alternatively, you can put your cookies in a gallon-size plastic bag and crush the crackers with a rolling pin until fine. Once you have crushed and measured your graham crackers, place your graham cracker crumbs in a medium bowl and set aside.
Step 3: Melt your butter by cutting pieces and placing it in a skillet on medium-low until melted (stirring frequently). Alternatively, you can melt your butter in the microwave by putting the butter in a microwave safe bowl and heating for 60 seconds or until melted.
Step 4: Add your melted butter to the bowl with the graham cracker crumbs. Mix until well combined. Be sure to crush any large crumbs still visible.
Step 5: Pour your cookie mixture evenly into a baking dish. Press the crumbs down along the bottom and side of the pan to form the crust. Be sure to pat the crumbs firmly and evenly. Pro tip: use the back of a measuring cup to firmly press the crust into the pan.
Step 6 (Optional Step): Bake the crust for 5 minutes on 350F. Once done. Remove from oven and set aside. Pro tip: this creates a crisper crust.
Step 7: Evenly sprinkle the chocolate chips on the graham cracker crust. Next, evenly sprinkle the butterscotch chips. Then, evenly add the coconut and chopped nuts.
Step 8: Mix the 1 tsp of vanilla in the condensed milk. You can add this in can or a separate bowl. Stir carefully. Then, carefully drizzle the condensed milk on top of the chips and nuts. Spread evenly.
Step 9 (Optional Step): Next, add a little sprinkle of chocolate chips and butterscotch chips.
Step 10: Bake on 350F for about 25-30 minutes or until golden brown and coconut is lightly toasted. Then, remove the bars from the oven when done and immediately sprinkle with flaky salt. Let the bars completely cool before cutting.
How to Remix this 7 Layer Bars Recipe?
As stated, one of my favorite things about this recipe is its versatility. You can literally make these bars with almost anything. Below, I have included so additions/substitutions for some of the layers to give you an idea of how to remix this recipe.
For the cookie crust, you can use ginger snaps, vanilla wafers, Oreos, or any of your favorite cookies as the base of this incredible recipe.
For the layers, you can use dried fruits, your favorite nuts, white chocolate chips, peanut butter chips, caramel bits, m&ms, pretzels, marshmallows, or any other ingredient you’re craving. You really can’t go wrong and who says you have to limit yourself to 7 layers?! I mean, when you are making magic, there are no rules!
More Delicious Dessert Recipes
Looking for more delicious dessert recipes to explore? Here are few to get you started:
- Double Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Frosted Sugar Cookie Bars with Strawberry Buttercream Frosting
- Lemon Pound Cake with Lemon Icing
- S’mores Cookies
- The Best Chocolate Chess Pie
- Honey Bun Cake
You can store these bars on your counter in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Alternatively, you store in the refrigerator for 5 days. These bars also freeze well. Just place them in a freezer-safe container or gallon ziplock bag and freeze up to 3 months. Let them thaw at room temperature before eating.
Traditionally, 7 Layer Bars have 7 layers of ingredients: graham crackers, butter, chocolate chips, butterscotch chips, nuts, and sweetened condensed milk. Although I don’t really think of the graham cracker and butter as 2 separate layers, who am I to argue with the name, haha.
There are many theories as to why Magic Cookie Bars are also called Hello Dolly Bars, but the most popular theory suggests that the name Hello Dolly Bars was inspired by the famous Broadway musical “Hello, Dolly!”
Layer Bars are often called Magic Cookie Bars because of their seemingly magical transformation during baking. The layers of simple ingredients meld together into a cohesive, delicious treat.
I would not recommend you sub this ingredient. The sweetened condensed milk is the key to this recipe. It holds the bars together and provides a caramel-like sweetness that makes these Magic Cookie Bars so enchanting.
If you are looking for a quick and easy recipe that is a sure crowd pleaser, I hope you give this 7 Layer Bars recipe a try! If you do give this recipe a try, I want to know! Leave a comment with a star rating below. You can also snap a photo & tag @butterloveandsalt on INSTAGRAM. Your reviews help support Butter, Love & Salt and make it possible for me to continue to create delicious recipes.
The Best 7 Layer Bars Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 1/2 cup honey graham crackers about 16 full sheet graham crackers
- 3/4 cup unsalted butter melted
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips plus more for topping
- 1/2 cup butterscotch chips plus more for topping
- 1 cup unsweetened coconut shredded
- 1/2 cup chopped hazelnuts
- 14 oz sweetened condensed milk
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Flaky salt for topping
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350F. Line a 9×13 baking dish (or smaller for thicker bars) with parchment paper and lightly grease. Set aside.
- Then, place your graham crackers in a food processor or blender and grind them into fine. Alternatively, you can put your cookies in a gallon-size plastic bag and crush the crackers with a rolling pin until fine. Once you have crushed and measured your graham crackers, place your graham cracker crumbs in a medium bowl. Set aside.
- Next, melt your butter by cutting pieces and placing it in a skillet on medium-low until melted (stirring frequently). Alternatively, you can melt your butter in the microwave by putting the butter in a microwave safe bowl and heating for 60 seconds or until melted.
- Then, add your melted butter to the bowl with the graham cracker crumbs. Mix until well combined. Be sure any large chunks are crushed.
- Next, pour your cookie mixture evenly into a baking dish. Press the crumbs down along the bottom and side of the pan to form the crust. Be sure to pat the crumbs firmly and evenly. Pro tip: use the back of a measuring cup to firmly press the crust into the pan.
- Optional Step. Bake the crust for 5 minutes on 350F. Once done. Remove from oven and set aside. Pro tip: this creates a crisper crust.
- Then, evenly sprinkle the chocolate chips on the graham cracker crust. Next, evenly sprinkle the butterscotch chips. Then, evenly add the coconut and chopped nuts.
- Mix the 1 tsp of vanilla in the sweetened condensed milk. You can add this in can or a separate bowl. Stir carefully. Then, carefully drizzle the condensed milk on top of the chips and nuts. Spread evenly.
- Optional Step. Add a little sprinkle of chocolate chips and butterscotch chips.
- Bake on 350F for about 25-30 minutes or until golden brown and coconut is lightly toasted.
- Remove from the oven and immediately sprinkle with flaky salt. Let completely cool before cutting.
- Once cooled, enjoy and feel free to add a comment on my blog! Also, be sure to share your photo on instagram and tag @butterloveandsalt! We would love to see how your bars come out!
Nutritional Information
Recipe by: Chavez Adams / Butter, Love & Salt | Photography by: Meg McKeehan
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