These 7 layer bars are the perfect dessert to whip together when you want something that tastes decadent but is also very easy to make. These are great to make for parties or get-togethers, or just to enjoy at home!
If your mouth is watering just thinking about 7 layer bars, you will also love this hazelnut meringue bombs recipe, these thick and chewy chocolate chip cookies, and my no-bake rice krispies treats!
Seven Layer Bars are Easy to Make
These are called seven layer bars for a reason – this dessert is made by layering seven different ingredients together!
This is a dessert that someone with 0 baking skills can make. All you do is combine graham crumbs with butter, press into a baking pan, then sprinkle the rest of the ingredients in layers and bake. Easy-peasy.
In fact, this is agreat recipe to make with young children! Kids love to sprinkle in the ingredients for the seven layer bars one by one – all you need to do is provide direction and guidance. They’ll love eating the fruits of their labor, so to speak. 🙂
Magic Cookie Bars FAQ
Because this magic cookie bars recipe is so popular and simple to make, there are a lot of questions out there about them. Here are some of the most frequently asked ones – if I miss yours, please leave it in the comments below.
Can you make magic cookie bars without coconut?
Yup, you sure can! If you aren’t a coconut fan or have allergies, simply omit it from the magic cookie bars recipe below.
Can you make magic cookie bars without nuts?
Yes, simply omit the nuts if you want nut-free magic cookie bars.
Are magic cookie bars gluten free?
The recipe calls for graham crackers, which are not gluten free. But, you can easily make these magic cookie bars using another type of cookie! The easiest thing to do is to swap out the graham crackers for their gluten-free counterpart. However, you could also try another type of crunchy gluten-free cookie that can be ground into powder.
If you are making a gluten-free version, you will also need to keep a close eye on the butterscotch chips. Certain brands (like Nestle, for example) have gluten in them. You can either find a GF version or swap them out for white chocolate chips.
How to Make 7 Layer Bars
Recipe at a Glance:
For detailed recipe instructions, see the recipe card at the bottom of the post.
Ready to whip up a batch of bars? It’s easy!
Ingredients for the 7 Layer Bars:
- Graham Cookie Crackers
- Unsalted butter
- Chocolate chips
- Butterscotch chips or white chocolate chips
- Pecans or Walnuts
- Sweetened coconut shreds
- Sweetened condensed milk
Step by Step Directions
- Make the bottom crust: process the graham cracker cookies in a food processor until fine crumbs form. Add the butter and mix until evenly moistened.
- Press the crumbs into a parchment paper-lined 9″x13″ baking pan with the bottom of a measuring cup.
- Sprinkle in layers: chocolate chips, pecans, coconut shreds, then drizzle the condensed milk evenly over the top.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes or until golden in color.
- Let cool completely, then cut into squares, and enjoy!
How to Store the 7 Layer Bars
Once the bars are cooled, you can keep these in an airtight container on your counter for a couple of days. I actually prefer these cold, so I keep ours in the fridge, but it’s up to you!
Do magic cookie bars freeze well?
If you aren’t going to eat these over a period of a few days, you can stick the bars in the freezer. Make sure to place them in an airtight container before you freeze. When you are ready to enjoy these, remove from the freezer and let them thaw out to room temperature, then enjoy!
Scroll to the bottom for the full recipe with precise ingredient amounts.
More BarRecipes:
- Cranberry Bliss Bars
- Cheesecake Brownies
- Pistachio-Walnut Baklava Bars
- Chocolate Walnut Brownies
7 Layer Bars Recipe
4.91 from 11 votes
These 7 layer bars can be thrown together in a snap! It's as simple as layer and bake – you'll be enjoying these magic cookie bars in a flash.
Author: Marina | Let the Baking Begin
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Keyword: 7 layer bar, magic cookie bars
Calories: 343 kcal
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
Servings: 16 squares
Ingredients
7 Layer Bar Ingredients
- 2cupsgraham cracker crumbs(15 full size crackers)
- 1/2cupunsalted buttermelted
- 1cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1cupwhite chocolate, butterscotch morsels, or peanut butter chocolate chips
- 1cupshredded, sweetened coconut(Note 1)
- 3/4cuppecan or walnut pieces(chopped pecans)
- 1cupsweetened condensed milk
US Customary – Metric
Instructions
Prep: Preheat oven to 350F°. Line a 9"x13" baking pan with parchment paper, this is important as the bars tend to stick to the pan. Set aside.
Make the crust: Process 15 broken down graham cookies in a food processor until fine crumbs form. Then, add the melted butter and mix until evenly moistened.
Alternatively, you can add the graham cookies to a ziplock bag and roll over it with a rolling pin until fine crumbs form. Then, add the butter and stir with a fork until the crumbs are evenly moistened.
Press crumbs into the bottom of the prepared pan using the bottom of a measuring cup.
Layer: Now sprinkle the rest of the ingredients in layers in the following order: semi-sweet & white chocolate chips, pecans, coconut, sweetened condensed milk.
Bake for about 25 minutes or until the edges are golden brown. Remove from the oven and cool completely.
Cut into servings: Pull the magic bars out of the baking pan by pulling on the ends of the parchment paper, then use a sharp knife to cut into 12 equal squares for large servings or 24 equal pieces for mini servings.
Recipe Notes
- Note 1: If you prefer less sweet desserts, replace the sweetened shredded coconut, with UNsweetened shredded coconut.
Nutrition Facts
7 Layer Bars Recipe
Amount Per Serving
Calories 343Calories from Fat 198
% Daily Value*
Fat 22g34%
Saturated Fat 12g75%
Trans Fat 1g
Cholesterol 25mg8%
Sodium 120mg5%
Potassium 225mg6%
Carbohydrates 34g11%
Fiber 2g8%
Sugar 26g29%
Protein 4g8%
Vitamin A 240IU5%
Vitamin C 1mg1%
Calcium 98mg10%
Iron 1mg6%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
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