Magic Bars (also called 7 layer bars) are simple cookie bars made from a graham cracker crust, three different types of chocolate chips, coconut and nuts. This is the EASIEST dessert, and always a party favorite.
If you love dessert bars, don’t miss our Peanut Butter Brownies, Scotcheroos, and Toffee Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars!
This magic bars recipe goes by many names depending on your location. You may hear them called, hello dolly bars, magic cookie bars, coconut dream bars, or 7 layer bars. Each name means basically the same thing; a delicious cookie bar made without eggs or flour, and with layers of chocolate, butterscotch and coconut bliss.
Ingredients:
- Graham crackers: honey or chocolate flavored, crushed using a food processor or rolling pin.
- Butter: melted, for the crust.
- Chocolate chips and butterscotch chips: or use whichever chips are your favorite, including white chocolate.
- Heath bars: crushed up.
- Shredded coconut: shredded sweetened or unsweetened coconut if preferred. Avoid large shreds of coconut.
- Chopped nuts: walnuts or pecans are preferred.
- Sweetened condensed milk: this is the true “magic” of the bars and it helps bind all the ingredients together and has a caramel-like flavor when cooked.
How to Make Magic Bars (7 Layer Bars):
Make Crust: Crush graham crackers in the sleeve, or using a food processor or rolling pin. Mix with melted butter then pour mixture into a greased 8’’ square baking dish. Sprinkle crust with chocolate chips and butterscotch chips.
Top with Layers: Sprinkle chopped heath bars, nuts and coconut then pour sweetened condensed milk evenly over the top.
Bake at 350 degrees F for 30-35 minutes. Allow to cool before serving. (I like to refrigerate mine for a few hours before serving these 7 layer bars recipe so they are easier to get out of the pan, to cut and hold the “layers” better.)
Make Ahead And Freezing Instructions:
To Make Ahead: You can make magic cookie bars 1-2 days ahead of time. Store them covered, in the refrigerator until ready to serve.
To Freeze: Freeze magic bars for up to 3 months, in a freezer-safe container.
Recipe Variations:
- Chocolate Crust: Use chocolate graham crackers instead of honey graham crackers.
- Oreo Crust: Crush 24 Oreos and mix with 5 tablespoons melted butter.
- Different Flavored Chips: Try white chocolate, mint, or any variety of chocolate chips.
- Vegan Magic Bars: Substitute vegan butter and, in place of sweetened condensed milk, dissolve ⅓ cup sugar in 1 cup of full fat coconut milk.
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Magic Bars
Ingredients
- 1 sleeve honey graham crackers*
- 6 Tablespoons butter , melted
- 1 cup chocolate chips
- 1/2 cup butterscotch chips
- 2 heath bars , chopped
- 1 cup shredded coconut
- 1 cup chopped nuts
- 1 can sweetened condensed milk
Instructions
- Crush graham crackers in the sleeve, using a food processor, or rolling pin. Mix with melted butter and pour mixture into a greased 8’’ square baking dish.
- Sprinkle crust with chocolate chips, then butterscotch chips, chopped heath bars, nuts and coconut. Pour sweetened condensed evenly over the top.
- Bake at 350 degrees F for 30-35 minutes. Allow to cool before serving. (I like to refrigerate mine for a few hours before serving so they are easier to get out of the pan, to cut and hold the “layers” better.)
Video
Notes
Nutrition
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I originally shared this recipe April 2016. Updated September 2020 and August 2023.
