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.
could i double the recipe and make these on a cookie sheet??
I think that would be fine!
Question for you…these look yummy by the way…but, do you think I could substitute vanilla wafers for the graham crackers? I’m not a fan of graham crackers.
Sure! That sounds delish!
My family has made these for Christmas longer than I have been around. We have always used Nilla wafers as the crust, but other than that, the same recipe. We affectionately called them “yum yum bars”.
These are one of my favorites! I used to go to a bakery that sold an amazing version of these. Thank you so much for this article!
I’m so glad you found your pooch although your post was years ago. Our dogs are everything to us as well and one of the two dogs name is Daisy as well. Love that name.
Thank you for the recipe. Love it and oh soooo yummy.
Lana
No doubt these bars are magical I need some right now! A sweet treat is always welcomed. Need to make yoru recipe soon looks so scrumptious.
Such a delicious recipe! My family loves seven layer magic bars!
I have never made magic bars! But oh my gosh do they look delicious! I’m pinning these to make this weekend!
I’m glad you found your pup! i don’t blame you for freaking out. PS these bars look amazing. my hubs would love this!
Ahh! These look sooo good!
omg this looks so decadent! I’ve been craving some kind of cookie/brownie/sweet treat lately, I might just have to make this!
I love 7 layer bars and these are great, but I suggest using a smaller pan or using extra ingredients (except the condensed milk). I doubled the amount of graham crackers and I could barely get it to cover the bottom of the pan, and had to use extra of all the dry ingredients. The condensed milk amount was still fine tho. Just a suggestion 🙂
I second this. I bought enough for 3 pans for a cookie swap at church, but ran out of graham crackers. They’re still amazing, but definitely need more graham crackers to cover a 9×13 pan.
The girls at work send me recipes they want me to make for them, this was the latest request. Thanks for putting it out there, I think these bars will be much appreciated.
Awesome Cathy! I hope y’all enjoy them!
These bars look so delicious! I need to make a batch!
Thanks Madi! Hope you enjoy them!
Magic bars are truly magical aren’t they? Delicious (yes for nuts if you can), and soooo fitting for your neighbors. You are brave for holding your emotions in while searching for your baby.
Magical indeed!!
I love these bars though I leave out the nuts and coconut my youngest two t eat nuts ever lol. So glad you found your baby we have 3 cats ourselves and lost one for a week as she darted out the door one day she was so close to home yet so lost as all the homes were literally identical except every other building was a different color poor baby anyway I used to make these with my grandma growing up I made a batch a week ago didn’t turn out quite right but they were still yummy my oldest ate nearly the whole pan using a spoon. Trying again today let’s see if they come out better thanks for sharing your recipe I was doing it from memory lmao it’s been 20 yrs and I still love those treats and my picky son even ate some that’s a victory. Thanks again. Vanessa
Hope y’all enjoy them, Vanessa! Thanks for your sweet comment!
These bars are screaming my name!! I have got to give these a try for our next friends get together!! Thanks for such a flavor packed dessert thats easy to make!
Of course!!
these are some of my favorite bars that I remember as a kid…. I had everything to make them and baked them up… they were just as wonderful as I remembered!
So glad you enjoyed them!!