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.
wow I am drooling over this! Perfect for the holidays
I love the addition of the butterscotch chips and walnuts to this traditional recipe! Can’t wait to try these out on the family!
Oh my goodness, seven layers of deliciousness! I can’t wait to make these bars!
Oh yum! You had me at blanket of sweetened condensed milk. These bars sound incredible with all those ingredients and textures!
Can you freeze these bars?
Yes!
Could you put a layer on mini marshmallows on this?
Hi Linda, I haven’t tried that before so I’m not sure how it would turn out. If you give it a try, please let me know how it turns out!
Lol, you mean you have leftovers????
I have made these twice now with the intention of taking them to work for my coworkers. It’s always responsible of the baker to test them to make sure they’re edible…. Let’s just say they haven’t made it to work yet. Third time’s a charm?
Is it better to pour condensed milk over the graham crust and evenly put the nuts and morsels or pour the condensed milk lastly on the top. I see both versions , want to know which is better to get shapely cut bars
I pour over the graham cracker crumb. this seems to creat the base to hold all of the utter ingredients together ,
I made these and they’re cooling and it’s like torture trying to wait for them to cool completely, I want to try them so bad! But I bought some store made 7 layer dessert bars and they were super bland and not only that but the chocolate and butterscotch were put ontop of them after they were cooked. Wheres the mistake here? Homemade will always ALWAYS be better. Only a little longer till I get to taste the magic. 🤤
These bars were super easy to make and so TASTY 😋 The addition of the butterscotch chips added a nice flavour!! Was thinking about trying salted caramel chips as another decadent flavour experience next time………. Thanks for the great recipe❤️❤️
Oh my gosh!!! Scrumptious!!! You’re sooooo right. You can’t eat just one.
Very good
These bars should be so tasty! Mouthwtering!
This was so good! Everyone at my house loved it.
I LOVE magic bars! I can’t wait to make this recipe!
These are like a little piece of heaven with every bite! The sweetened condensed milk really put these over the top. YUM!
Wow! These look incredible! Love all the flavors and textures; excited to make these over the weekend, indeed!