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.
These Seven Layer Magic Bars sound delicious! Dangerously good…
These look so good what an amazing recipe!
I recently discovered dairy-free sweetened condensed coconut milk and it’s just as good, if not better than the original believe it or not (I love me some coconut ) anyways, it turned out great just like the regular bars amd comes in the same size cans as the regular condensed milk.
I love these, I doubled the graham cracker crust, added caramel chips and dropped spoonfuls of lemon pudding on before adding coconut and nuts and milk. It was an ooey gooey wonderful treat. You want more and more but you know you shouldn’t!
I love these bars but I use pecans instead of walnuts everything else is the same!!!
Just a lil FYI… they now make the swwetened condensed milk (Eagle Brand) in a 14oz SQUEEZE container!!! Makes this sooo much easier!!!
Oh that is great to know! Thanks for sharing!
I chopped up 6 Reese’s pumpkins I had stashed in my baking cubbard and sprinkled them on top of the graham cracker crust and then followed the recipe omitting the walnuts- nice twist
I like to use sliced almonds instead of walnuts. Something about chocolate and walnuts together that’s so good! I also eyeball the amounts for each ingredient, depending on what size pan I’m using
My husband dislikes Graham crackers. Is it possible to use crushed club or Ritz?
Sure, but the taste will be different.
You can name it with sawdust if you want! I mean why not?
No need to be catty or rude, Jacquelyn. It was a simple question.
I also saw somewhere that someone made them with a shortbread or sugar cookie recipe. I bet that would be delicious! Good luck and hope they turn out delicious!
Quarantine has dissolved your sense of humor, Dianna – if you ever even had one! I thought the sawdust comment was witty, cute, and meant no harm. These classic bars are so good that you wouldn’t even notice the substitution.
You can use nilla wafers work great for me
You can use crushed Oreo cookies or vanilla wafers mixed with the melted butter for your crust.
You can use crushed Oreos or vanilla wafers mixed with the melted butter for your crust.
I always double this. I bake it in a jelly roll pan. I mix all the chips, nuts and coconut in a bowl and then spread it out over the crust. Makes it so easy.
Excellent Bars
These are delicious! They are always on my trays of goodies at Christmas. I DID THINK THAT THE BUTTER AND GRAHAM CRACKERS SHOULD BE COUNTED AS ONE LAYER, NOT TWO, SO i ADDED A AN EXTRA LAYER OF WHITE CHOCOLATE CHIPS! Now, THAT’s a Seventh Heaven Layer of MAGIC IN THESE BARS
Delicious! The ingredients seemed a little skimpy for the big 13” pan, I upped everything except the sw condensed milk. A good move.
Upped by how much?
I think it’s okay if you just eyeball it. I used maybe a couple tablespoons more butter and half cup of crumbs. Hands full of chips, coconut and nuts (1 of each). Just till it looks full enough.
I added an additional 1/2 cup of chocolate/butterscotch chips, coconut & pecans. This is an excellent recipe!
I love how quick and easy these seven layer magic bars are. Perfect for any last-minute dessert that you may need to make.
These are SOOOOOO delicious! I’ve made them multiple times and they never last long!
My favorite dessert! We have these at Christmastime , and most Thanksgiving dinners too .
my boyfriend’s mom makes us seven layer bars every year and i just love them. I keep saying I’m going to make them myself. This is the perfect opportunity!
We made these at the weekend and they were amazing! Everyone loved them, can’t wait to make them again!