Full of rich chocolate chips, crunchy graham cracker crumbs and flaked coconut, Seven Layer Bars are a classic treat everyone loves. Also called Magic Cookie Bars, this recipe is made with sweetened condensed milk and comes together quickly and easily. Make it with, or without, nuts to suit your tastes.
Seven Layer Magic Cookie Bars
I’ve shared lots of variations on seven layer cookie bars over the years. These festive Holiday Magic Cookie Bars have been a favorite every year and my peanut butter loving friends go wild for the Chocolate Peanut Butter Magic Cookie Bars I make.
I was surprised to realize that I’d yet to share a recipe for a simple old-fashioned 7 layer magic cookie bar! This recipe is based on the Eagle Brand Magic Cookie Bars–the one shared on cans of sweetened condensed milk.
While called many things, 7 Layer Bars, Magic Bars, Seven Layer Cookies, Magic Cookie Bars… the list goes on, chances are good you’ve tasted these delicious treats at some point in your life.
There’s a reason this recipe is an enduring classic!
As you can see, I love to dress my Magic Cookie Bars up for the holidays by adding some M&Ms chocolate candies. This is such a fun way to give them a bit of color and added texture. You can replace the chocolate chips, or just mix in some M&Ms.
Seven Layer Bars
Magic Bars include something for everyone and that’s part of their appeal. The traditional recipe includes seven ingredients: butter, graham cracker crumbs, sweetened condensed milk, coconut, chocolate chips, butterscotch chips and nuts.
A good 7 layer magic cookie bar starts with a simple graham cracker crust.
You combine graham cracker cookie crumbs with melted butter then pour it into a baking pan. Eagle brand sweetened condensed milk goes on top of that crust, followed by generous layers of chocolate chips and flaked coconut.
If sticking with the traditional seven layer recipe, butterscotch chips are also included. Personally I find the butterscotch chips make it a bit too sweet, and I like sweet! However feel free to add them if you like.
A traditional 7 layer bar also includes nuts like pecans or walnuts. I skipped adding the nuts to these due to an allergy, but the crunchy nut layer adds so much to a magic cookie bar.
Both pecans and walnuts taste great in this recipe or you can use a combination of both.
After baking and slicing, Magic Cookie Bars are ready to slice and serve, or store in a covered container.
Magic Cookie Bar Ingredients
(at a glance, full recipe below)
- non-stick cooking spray
- graham cracker crumbs
- butter
- Eagle Brand Sweetened Condensed Milk
- Chocolate Chips
- Flaked Coconut
- Nuts such as pecans or walnuts
How To Make Magic Cookie Bars
2. In a medium size bowl, combine graham cracker crumbs and melted butter and mix until well combined. Pour mixture into prepared baking pan and gently press to create a crust that covers the entire bottom of the pan.
4. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes or until beginning to lightly brown. Remove from oven and allow to cool for approximately 5-10 minutes. Then, while still warm, loosen bars from the side of the pan gently to prevent them from sticking. Cut into bars. Store tightly covered.
Notes
Seven Layer Bars Recipe
Enjoyed as an afternoon treat or shared with friends at a party, Magic Cookie Bars are a tasty and easy to make dessert that makes everyone happy.
Equipment
- 13x9 inch baking pan
Ingredients
- non-stick cooking spray
- 1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
- 1/2 cup butter, melted
- 1 14oz can Eagle Brand Sweetened Condensed Milk
- 2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1 1/3 cups flaked coconut
- 1 cup chopped nuts walnuts and pecans work well
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Spray a 13 x 9 inch pan with non-stick cooking spray. Make sure to spray the interior sides well.
- In a medium size bowl, combine graham cracker crumbs and melted butter and mix until well combined. Pour mixture into prepared baking pan and gently press to create a crust that covers the entire bottom of the pan.
- Pour sweetened condensed milk evenly over crumb crust. Evenly sprinkle chocolate chips, coconut and nuts over condensed milk layer. Gently press down with a fork.
- Bake for 25 to 30 minutes or until begining to lightly brown. Remove from oven and allow to cool for approximately 5-10 minutes. Then, while still warm, loosen bars from the side of the pan gently to prevent them from sticking. Cut into bars. Store tightly covered.
Rick says
Gotta be careful with this one… you might eat the whole pan on “accident”. 😉
Phala Bowles says
Please consider using “plant based” butter (Miyoko’s) is just one of the many, many amazing non dairy/plant based alternatives.
Christi Johnstone says
Since those aren’t safe for my daughter who has a life threatening nut allergy, we stick with sweetened condensed milk. 😉