7 Layer Bars (Magic Cookie Bars)
These 7 layer bars are the perfect dessert to whip together when you want something that tastes decadent but is also very easy to make. These are great to make for parties or get-togethers, or just to enjoy at home!
If your mouth is watering just thinking about 7 layer bars, you will also love this hazelnut meringue bombs recipe, these thick and chewy chocolate chip cookies, and my no-bake rice krispies treats!
Seven Layer Bars are Easy to Make
These are called seven layer bars for a reason – this dessert is made by layering seven different ingredients together!
This is a dessert that someone with 0 baking skills can make. All you do is combine graham crumbs with butter, press into a baking pan, then sprinkle the rest of the ingredients in layers and bake. Easy-peasy.
In fact, this is a great recipe to make with young children! Kids love to sprinkle in the ingredients for the seven layer bars one by one – all you need to do is provide direction and guidance. They’ll love eating the fruits of their labor, so to speak. 🙂
Magic Cookie Bars FAQ
Because this magic cookie bars recipe is so popular and simple to make, there are a lot of questions out there about them. Here are some of the most frequently asked ones – if I miss yours, please leave it in the comments below.
Can you make magic cookie bars without coconut?
Yup, you sure can! If you aren’t a coconut fan or have allergies, simply omit it from the magic cookie bars recipe below.
Can you make magic cookie bars without nuts?
Yes, simply omit the nuts if you want nut-free magic cookie bars.
Are magic cookie bars gluten free?
The recipe calls for graham crackers, which are not gluten free. But, you can easily make these magic cookie bars using another type of cookie! The easiest thing to do is to swap out the graham crackers for their gluten-free counterpart. However, you could also try another type of crunchy gluten-free cookie that can be ground into powder.
If you are making a gluten-free version, you will also need to keep a close eye on the butterscotch chips. Certain brands (like Nestle, for example) have gluten in them. You can either find a GF version or swap them out for white chocolate chips.
How to Make 7 Layer Bars
Recipe at a Glance:
For detailed recipe instructions, see the recipe card at the bottom of the post.
Ready to whip up a batch of bars? It’s easy!
Ingredients for the 7 Layer Bars:
- Graham Cookie Crackers
- Unsalted butter
- Chocolate chips
- Butterscotch chips or white chocolate chips
- Pecans or Walnuts
- Sweetened coconut shreds
- Sweetened condensed milk
Step by Step Directions
- Make the bottom crust: process the graham cracker cookies in a food processor until fine crumbs form. Add the butter and mix until evenly moistened.
- Press the crumbs into a parchment paper-lined 9″x13″ baking pan with the bottom of a measuring cup.
- Sprinkle in layers: chocolate chips, pecans, coconut shreds, then drizzle the condensed milk evenly over the top.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes or until golden in color.
- Let cool completely, then cut into squares, and enjoy!
How to Store the 7 Layer Bars
Once the bars are cooled, you can keep these in an airtight container on your counter for a couple of days. I actually prefer these cold, so I keep ours in the fridge, but it’s up to you!
Do magic cookie bars freeze well?
If you aren’t going to eat these over a period of a few days, you can stick the bars in the freezer. Make sure to place them in an airtight container before you freeze. When you are ready to enjoy these, remove from the freezer and let them thaw out to room temperature, then enjoy!
Scroll to the bottom for the full recipe with precise ingredient amounts.
More Bar Recipes:
7 Layer Bars Recipe
These 7 layer bars can be thrown together in a snap! It's as simple as layer and bake – you'll be enjoying these magic cookie bars in a flash.
Ingredients
7 Layer Bar Ingredients
- 2 cups graham cracker crumbs (15 full size crackers)
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter melted
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1 cup white chocolate, butterscotch morsels, or peanut butter chocolate chips
- 1 cup shredded, sweetened coconut (Note 1)
- 3/4 cup pecan or walnut pieces (chopped pecans)
- 1 cup sweetened condensed milk
Instructions
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Prep: Preheat oven to 350F°. Line a 9"x13" baking pan with parchment paper, this is important as the bars tend to stick to the pan. Set aside.
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Make the crust: Process 15 broken down graham cookies in a food processor until fine crumbs form. Then, add the melted butter and mix until evenly moistened.
Alternatively, you can add the graham cookies to a ziplock bag and roll over it with a rolling pin until fine crumbs form. Then, add the butter and stir with a fork until the crumbs are evenly moistened.
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Press crumbs into the bottom of the prepared pan using the bottom of a measuring cup.
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Layer: Now sprinkle the rest of the ingredients in layers in the following order: semi-sweet & white chocolate chips, pecans, coconut, sweetened condensed milk.
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Bake for about 25 minutes or until the edges are golden brown. Remove from the oven and cool completely.
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Cut into servings: Pull the magic bars out of the baking pan by pulling on the ends of the parchment paper, then use a sharp knife to cut into 12 equal squares for large servings or 24 equal pieces for mini servings.
Recipe Notes
- Note 1: If you prefer less sweet desserts, replace the sweetened shredded coconut, with UNsweetened shredded coconut.
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Marina | Let the Baking Begin
I haven’t made this particular recipe, but I’ve been making these for years. In the original Eagle brand recipe and several others, they tell you to pour the sweetened condensed milk over the crumbs and then start layering. This one does it after the layering. I think I’ve done both, but can’t remember the outcome. Can you please tell me the difference?
Hi Pat, I think when you pour it all over the layers last it “glues” them better together.
FYI…. I am making these now and discovered I had to use two packages of graham crackers to have 2 cups! There are now only 9 in a pack and they are smaller than the used to be!!!! And this is Honey Graham’s…. Not an off brand. This should not surprise anyone!!!!!
These were fabulous! Made these tonight for my birthday as they are my favorite desert. Thanks for the recipe. Wonderful website also!
Yummm, I make similar, but i also add baking chips butterscotch and its soooo delicious
Butterscotch chips are amazing in these bars, I agree
I am so looking forward to making these bars. Before I do, is the coconut necessary? I don’t like coconut and so I’m not sure if leaving out that ingredient would make a difference in consistency? If it would, any substitute suggestions? Of course, the bars would then be called 6 Layer Bars. Thank you so much, Marina.
Hi Ryan,
I think it should work without the coconut, but if you wanted to you could add more nuts, chopped pretzels or even marshmallows to keep the thickness of the bars. I haven’t tried this myself so can’t tell you for sure, but I hope that if you replace it with something, you let me know how you liked it.
Oh, Marina, you are so very, very good with baking knowledge. Thank you for replying so very quickly. Terrific idea to add pretzels! Think how that saltiness would taste with the sweetness, yummy! Guess what I’m doing tomorrow??
Five Stars for your Cranberry Bliss Bars. My group saw they were better than Starbucks and I agree.
Oh, you’re making my day with your comment. Thank you so much! Glad to be of help