Seven Layer Magic Bars Recipe
Seven Layer Magic Bars – A buttery graham cracker crust is topped with layers of chocolate chips, butterscotch chips, coconut, chopped nuts, and then finished off with a blanket of sweetened condensed milk. These will not last long!
For more Easy Dessert Recipes, be sure to check out my Banana Cake with Vanilla Frosting, The Best Apple Crisp, and Blueberry Sour Cream Pie.
Magic Bars are a guilty weakness of mine. If you’ve never had one before, then I can guarantee after one bite they will become one of yours, too!
These downright irresistible Seven Layer Magic Bars never last long at our house. I’m telling you right now that you will not be able to stop at just one of these bad boys.
Or five.
Believe me on this. I’ve walked that line already, folks!
What are 7 Layer Bars?
Seven layer bars are an easy, sweet dessert bar made up of seven ingredients. The preparation of these bars is super simple; make the crust, place the crust in the bottom of the pan, then layer the remaining ingredients on top and bake.
What are the 7 layers in 7 Layer Bars?
- graham cracker crumbs
- butter
- chocolate chips
- butterscotch chips
- sweetened flaked coconut
- chopped walnuts (or nuts of choice)
- sweetened condensed milk
How to Make Seven Layer Magic Bars – Step by Step
Step 1: Prepare pan
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a 9×13 inch baking pan with cooking spray or line with parchment paper and set aside.
Step 2: Make the crust
Melt butter in a small saucepan. Remove from heat and stir in graham cracker crumbs until throughly combined. Press into the bottom of a 9×13 inch baking pan to form the crust.
Step 3: Add the layers
Evenly sprinkle remaining ingredients one by one over the crust to form layers, beginning with the chocolate chips, followed by the butterscotch chips, coconut, and walnuts. Pour the condensed milk evenly over the top, and spread with a rubber spatula to make sure it’s evenly distributed.
Step 4: Bake
Bake in preheated oven for 25-30 minutes until edges are golden brown and the middle is set. Allow to cool completely before slicing.
Tips and Notes for Making the Best 7 Layer Bars
- To make your own graham cracker crumbs, use about 11-12 full graham cracker rectangle sheets for 1 1/2 cups of crumbs.
- Line your pan with parchment paper. It makes removal of your seven layer magic bars much easier, plus makes cleanup better, too. If you line it so that the paper overhangs the sides of your pan, you can use the flaps to lift the bars out of the pan, then place it on a cutting board to slice.
- If lining your pan with parchment paper, crumple it into a ball first! Yes, it sounds a little silly, but crumpling the parchment paper first before laying it in the bottom of your pan will help it to “stay put” and adhere better to the sides of the pan.
- Allow your seven layer bars to cool COMPLETELY before cutting. While I fully admit to sometimes sneaking a warm bite of magic bars straight from the pan, it’s really better to wait until they’re completely cool to cut them. Things can get a little messy otherwise.
- Refrigerate your cooled bars to make cutting smoother. After the bars are cool, you can also place them in the fridge for a couple of hours to help them firm up a bit.
Recipe Swaps and Variations
The base recipe for these seven layer magic bars is tried and true and needs no changes, but if you want to switch things up, here are some ideas:
- Use vanilla wafers, cinnamon graham crackers, or shortbread cookies in place of regular graham cracker crumbs
- Swap the chocolate chips or butterscotch chips with white chocolate chips, peanut butter chips, or toffee bits
- Add in dried fruit like raisins or Craisins
- Swap the chopped walnuts for any nut you like. Chopped pecans are my other go-to. You can also leave them out completely for a nut allergy.
- Add some chopped pretzels for a sweet and salty twist.
- If coconut isn’t your thing, you can definitely leave it out!
Storing and Freezing Seven Layer Magic Bars
You can store your Seven Layer Magic Bars in an airtight container on the counter for up to five days. You can also store them in the fridge.
7 Layer Bars also freeze perfectly! Place the cut bars in an freezer safe container or large ziplock bag for up to 6 months. Allow the bars to thaw on the counter top or in the fridge before enjoying them.
If you try this recipe, please leave a comment and rating below. I love to hear from you and always appreciate your feedback!
Recipe: Seven Layer Magic Bars
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups crushed graham cracker crumbs
- 1/2 cup butter
- 1 cup chocolate chips
- 1 cup butterscotch chips
- 1 cup sweetened flaked coconut
- 1/2 cup chopped walnuts
- 1 (14 oz) can sweetened condensed milk
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a 9×13 inch baking pan with cooking spray or line with parchment paper and set aside.
- Melt butter in a small saucepan. Remove from heat and stir in graham cracker crumbs until throughly combined. Press into the bottom of a 9×13 inch baking pan to form the crust.
- Evenly sprinkle remaining ingredients one by one over the crust to form layers, beginning with the chocolate chips, followed by the butterscotch chips, coconut, and walnuts. Pour the condensed milk evenly over the top, and spread with a rubber spatula to make sure it's evenly distributed.
- Bake in preheated oven for 25-30 minutes until edges are golden brown and the middle is set.
- Allow to cool completely before slicing. Enjoy!
Notes
- To make your own graham cracker crumbs, use about 11-12 full graham cracker rectangle sheets for 1 1/2 cups of crumbs.
- Line your pan with parchment paper. It makes removal of your seven layer magic bars much easier, plus makes cleanup better, too. If you line it so that the paper overhangs the sides of your pan, you can use the flaps to lift the bars out of the pan, then place it on a cutting board to slice.
- If lining your pan with parchment paper, crumple it into a ball first! Yes, it sounds a little silly, but crumpling the parchment paper first before laying it in the bottom of your pan will help it to “stay put” and adhere better to the sides of the pan.
- Allow your seven layer bars to cool COMPLETELY before cutting. While I fully admit to sometimes sneaking a warm bite of magic bars straight from the pan, it’s really better to wait until they’re completely cool to cut them. Things can get a little messy otherwise.
- Refrigerate your cooled bars to make cutting smoother. After the bars are cool, you can also place them in the fridge for a couple of hours to help them firm up a bit.
Seven Layer Bars are my biggest weakness… I absolutely love them, and yours are just perfect! And your Pumpkin Cheesecake Sugar Cookie Bars are totally happening in my kitchen soon, too! YUM!
Hope you enjoy them, Michele!
These are my favorite bar of all time. My friend from Junior High introduced me to them but they were called Holly Dollies. I love the combo of coconut, chocolate, and caramel. Sometimes I put butterscotch chips in mine!
They are soooo good! Love the name Holly Dollies, too!
These are one of my favorites! I used to go to a bakery that sold an amazing version of these. Now thanks to you I can make them myself.
Thanks Debi!
I wouldn’t be able to resist these!!
Me either!
I’m so glad you found your pooch! Our babies are definitely part of the family and I can’t imagine! Whew! Now… on to these amazing bars – we used to eat these when we were kids, so glad to have the recipe again. Thank you!
It was definitely a scary time! So glad we were able to find her! And glad you have the recipe again now!
I can only imagine how frantic you were! Especially being in a new neighborhood. I’m glad Daisy was found safe and sound. I’d love a couple of these delicious bars and that was such a great gesture of appreciation!
Thanks Julie! We were definitely glad to have her home safe and sound again!
My college dining halls had something close to these and they became my roommate’s favorite dessert/snack. So now that we are in an apartment and no longer have access to the dining halls, I wanted to see if I could recreate them for her. She says this recipe makes much better bars than the dining hall ones, so mission accomplished. Thank you
Glad y’all are enjoying them, Lexi!
Hello, thanks for your blog – really nice stuff. One suggestion to this recipe that I used yesterday for a party tonight – Please add to use cooking spray on the pan for others that make this next. Most of the graham stuck to the pan.
Thanks!
It was at the beginning of the recipe.
Wow. these look amazing. I will see how I can do it dairy free.
I make Magic Cookie Bars every Christmas Eve (and only on Christmas Eve). This year I made a dairy free version. I never use butterscotch chips so I didn’t need to find a dairy free one for that. I did use dairy free chocolate chips from Wegmans but you can find other brands out there. I used smart balance for the butter in the crust. I used coconut condensed sweetened milk. You can buy this in the health food sections or you can make it yourself, which I did do one other time. Anyway, these turned out great. I only noticed that the crust was a little less crunchy than the dairy version. You should definitely make these. As for me, I will have to wait until next December 24th to make the Magic Cookie Bars again!!
Magic bars are so, so good! These look rich, gooey, and perfect!
So happy they found Daisy and kept her safe! 😀 This seven layer magic bars are just the most delicious way to say Thank you! 😀
I LOVE seven layer bars! These look amazing!
Oh my goodness!! These magic bars are absolutely amazing!!! YUM!!
So happy you found your bulldog, Daisy. We have a little Schnauzer that will be turning 12 yrs. old in a few days. I would be going crazy if Scruffy were lost. We have to take care of our babies, no matter how old they are. Nice of you to make your neighbor’s a treat for taking care of your Daisy. The Seven Layer Magic Bars look so good. Take care!
Congrats about preschool. Those school years go so fast ????
Magic Bars never last long at my house either! Who could resist?