7 Layer Bars Recipe {Hello Dolly Bars}

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An old fashioned dessert that has stood the test of time. Chewy 7 layer bars with a sweet cream glazed baked on top. Perfect for an easy dessert!

The recipe I’m sharing today is a classic. It’s a cookie bar recipe with many names. Magic Bars. Seven Layer Bars. Hello Dolly Bars. This easy dessert recipe is one you’ll want to keep close for when you need something quick.

7 Layer Bars originated in the 1960’s from the Southern Living magazine as I understand. But the recipe has been well loved and tweaked over the years by countless families.

Why you’ll love this recipe:

Only 7 ingredients. And it could be less if you tweak the ingredient list slightly.
Easy bar cookie. I mean it’s 10 minutes prep time. Gotta love that!
Full of chocolate and butterscotch flavor, with crunch from pecans.
Perfect for potlucks, school lunches, and passing along to friends.

What are 7 layer bars?

You’ll sometimes see this recipe with only 5 or 6 layers, but traditionally there are 7 layers:

Graham crackers
Butter
Chocolate chips
Butterscotch chips
Coconut
Pecans
Sweetened condensed milk

There are recipe variations further down, but these are the basic layers.

How to Make 7 Layer Bars

Make the bars in a 9×13 baking pan that you’ve lined with parchment paper. This allows you to easily remove the bars and cut them into clean slices. It’s not 100% necessary, but I recommend it.

Place the butter into a microwave safe bowl. Using the microwave, melt the butter.
Add the crushed graham cracker crumbs to the butter and stir slightly to mix.

unbaked 7 layer magic bars with chocolate and butterscotch

Press the graham cracker crumbs into the pan evenly.
Sprinkle on the butterscotch chips, chocolate chips, coconut and walnuts.
Then drizzle the condensed milk over top.
Bake for 25 minutes.

How to Store

These are safe to store at room temperature. You might wonder because they have milk, but sweetened condensed milk and butter is baked, so no refrigeration is needed.

Store the bars in an airtight container. Put layers of parchment or wax paper between the layers so that they don’t stick together.

Can you freeze 7 layer bars? Yes. They store well for up to 2 months in the freezer. They are AMAZING frozen. Actually they are delicious any way you serve them. Even slightly warmed.

Recipe Variations

Use chocolate graham crackers or even cinnamon graham crackers. Low fat crackers work just as well also.
Any type of chocolate chips work. White chocolate, dark chocolate, even peanut butter chips.
Sweetened or unsweetened coconut will work.
Use almonds or walnuts if you don’t have pecans.

7 Layer Bars {Hello Dolly Bars}

4.75 from 12 votes

An old fashioned dessert that has stood the test of time. Chewy 7 layer bars with a sweet cream glazed baked on top. Perfect for an easy dessert!

Servings 15

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 25

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Ingredients

1/2 cup butter 1 stick
2 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs finely ground, do not pack into the cup
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 cup butterscotch chips
1 cup shredded coconut
1 cup chopped pecans
14 ounces sweetened condensed milk

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 350º Fahrenheit.
Spray a 9×13 baking pan with cooking spray, then line with parchment paper. (You spray the pan to help hold the paper down in place.)
Place the butter into a microwave safe bowl. Using the microwave, melt the butter.
Add the crushed graham cracker crumbs to the butter and stir slightly to mix.
Press the graham cracker crumbs into the pan evenly.
Sprinkle on the butterscotch chips, chocolate chips, coconut and walnuts.
Then drizzle the condensed milk over top.
Bake for 25 minutes.
Allow the bars to cool, then cut into squares.
Store in an airtight container at room temperature.

Notes

The calories shown are based on the bars being cut into 15 pieces, with 1 serving being 1 slice of cake. Since different brands of ingredients have different nutritional information, the calories shown are just an estimate. **We are not dietitians and recommend you seek a nutritionist for exact nutritional information. The information in the nutrition box are calculated through a program and there is room for error. If you need an accurate count, I recommend running the ingredients through your favorite nutrition calculator.**