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Magic Cookie Bars – Gooey, Crunchy, and Irresistibly Easy!

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.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Cool Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 35 minutes
Servings: 16 bars
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

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

  • 9x9 or 9x13 inch baking dish
  • Mixing bowl
  • Spatula or spoon
  • Parchment paper (recommended)
  • Knife for slicing

Method
 

Preheat & Prep Pan:
  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking dish with parchment paper, leaving an overhang for easy removal.
Make the Crust:
  1. Combine graham cracker crumbs and melted butter in a bowl. Press evenly into the bottom of the baking dish to form the crust.
Layer the Magic:
  1. 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:
  1. Bake for 25–30 minutes until edges are golden and the top is slightly bubbly.
Cool & Slice:
  1. Let cool completely in the pan, then chill for 30–60 minutes before slicing into squares.

Notes

🔁 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.