Introduction
Get ready to fall in love with every layer of these Magic Cookie Bars — a buttery graham cracker crust topped with sweetened condensed milk, chocolate chips, coconut flakes, and crunchy nuts. These bars come together like magic (hence the name) — no mixer, no fuss, and just one pan. Whether you know them as 7-layer bars or Hello Dolly bars, one thing’s for sure: they’re crowd-pleasers from first bite to last crumb.
🍽️ Servings & Time
- Yield: 16 bars
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Bake Time: 25–30 minutes
- Cool Time: 1 hour
- Total Time: ~1 hour 40 minutes
🛒 Ingredients
Crust:
- 1 ½ cups graham cracker crumbs
- ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
Toppings:
- 1 (14 oz) can sweetened condensed milk
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1 cup shredded sweetened coconut
- ½ cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)
- ½ cup butterscotch chips (optional but delicious)
🧑🍳 Equipment Needed
- 9×9 or 9×13 inch baking dish
- Mixing bowl
- Spatula or spoon
- Parchment paper (recommended)
- Knife for slicing
🍳 Instructions
1. Preheat & Prep Pan:
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking dish with parchment paper, leaving an overhang for easy removal.
2. Make the Crust:
Combine graham cracker crumbs and melted butter in a bowl. Press evenly into the bottom of the baking dish to form the crust.
3. Layer the Magic:
Pour sweetened condensed milk evenly over the crust. Then layer with chocolate chips, butterscotch chips, coconut, and nuts. Press down gently with a spatula.
4. Bake:
Bake for 25–30 minutes until edges are golden and the top is slightly bubbly.
5. Cool & Slice:
Let cool completely in the pan, then chill for 30–60 minutes before slicing into squares.
🔁 Variations
- Nut-Free: Skip the nuts or sub with crushed pretzels for crunch.
- Dairy-Free: Use coconut condensed milk and vegan chips.
- Holiday Version: Add crushed peppermint candy or red/green M&Ms.
🧊 Storage Tips
- Room Temp: Store in airtight container for 3–4 days.
- Fridge: Keeps for up to a week if chilled.
- Freeze: Freeze individually wrapped bars for up to 2 months.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a different crust?
Yes! Try crushed Oreos, shortbread cookies, or even gingersnaps.
Do I have to use butterscotch chips?
Nope — they’re optional! You can mix and match with peanut butter chips, white chocolate, or caramel chunks.
Why press the toppings down?
It helps everything stick together and creates a nice, even bar.
Magic Cookie Bars – Gooey, Crunchy, and Irresistibly Easy!
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking dish with parchment paper, leaving an overhang for easy removal.
- Combine graham cracker crumbs and melted butter in a bowl. Press evenly into the bottom of the baking dish to form the crust.
- Pour sweetened condensed milk evenly over the crust. Then layer with chocolate chips, butterscotch chips, coconut, and nuts. Press down gently with a spatula.
- Bake for 25–30 minutes until edges are golden and the top is slightly bubbly.
- Let cool completely in the pan, then chill for 30–60 minutes before slicing into squares.
Notes
Nut-Free: Skip the nuts or sub with crushed pretzels for crunch. Dairy-Free: Use coconut condensed milk and vegan chips. Holiday Version: Add crushed peppermint candy or red/green M&Ms. 🧊 Storage Tips
Room Temp: Store in airtight container for 3–4 days. Fridge: Keeps for up to a week if chilled. Freeze: Freeze individually wrapped bars for up to 2 months. ❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a different crust?
Yes! Try crushed Oreos, shortbread cookies, or even gingersnaps. Do I have to use butterscotch chips?
Nope — they’re optional! You can mix and match with peanut butter chips, white chocolate, or caramel chunks. Why press the toppings down?
It helps everything stick together and creates a nice, even bar.
