Magic Seven Layer Bars

Seven Layer Bars are a magical dessert that is beyond simple to make! Make this cookie bar recipe with 7 ingredients, no eggs, and no flour!

Side view of a stack of seven layer bars.

Table of Contents

There is truly no easier or more delicious dessert to make for the holidays than this magic cookie bars recipe.

Like most dessert bars, these tasty treats are one of the first to disappear from a Christmas dessert platter. You may want to stay a step ahead of the game and make a double batch... they go fast!

7 layer dessert squares topped with shredded coconut.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

It makes the perfect party snack or easy dessert. These bars are perfect for potlucks, birthday parties, and on a holiday dessert table.
No eggs or flour! Although this isn't a dairy-free dessert, it IS gluten-free, eggless, and flourless.
A deliciously rich, chewy, and gooey treat!

If you like layered desserts, you might also want to make some M&M cookie bars!

Why Are They Called Seven Layer Bars?

Just as you might expect, 7 layer bars have seven tasty ingredients in one cookie! They're aren't seven layers, but you do layer the ingredients individually into the pan.

Ingredients

See ingredient substitutions in the next section. ⬇️

Here's what you'll need to make the magic cookie bars:

Graham cracker crumbs - You can save time by buying the crumbs, or just crush a sleeve of graham crackers.
Butter - This gets combined with the graham cracker crumbs to form a crust.
Butterscotch chips
Chocolate chips
Chopped unsalted walnuts - Get these from the baking aisle, not the snack aisle. The nuts in the snack aisle will have salt, while the ones in the baking aisle are unsalted.
Shredded sweetened coconut - Check the label on the bag because there are also unsweetened coconut flakes.
Sweetened condensed milk - Be sure what you're getting is condensed milk. It is not the same as evaporated milk, but the cans do look similar.

You'll also need some parchment paper and an 8x12-inch, oven-safe baking pan.

7 ingredients in small bowls to make magic cookie bars.

Substitutions and Recipe Variations

Salted butter - I prefer to use salted butter, but unsalted butter works as well. Plant-based butter may work, but I haven't tested it with this recipe.
Graham cracker crumbs - The traditional ingredient in seven layer bars is graham cracker crumbs. However, you can swap them out for any flavor of graham crackers. Try cinnamon or chocolate grahams for a different flavor profile.
Butterscotch chips - Substituting the butterscotch chips with a different flavor will work, but it will completely change the iconic flavor of the 7 layer bars.
Semi-sweet chocolate chips - Semi-sweet chips offer just enough bitterness to balance the sweetness of the other ingredients. You can use dark chocolate if you prefer it.
Sweetened condensed milk - You can Eagle brand condensed milk, a generic brand, or a store brand. All work equally.
Chopped walnuts - Feel free to substitute chopped pecans for the walnuts. Using Macadamia nuts would be delicious, but they are much more expensive than walnuts.

How to Make Seven Layer Bars

Summary only. The complete recipe instructions are in the card at the bottom of this post ⬇️

a graham cracker crumb layer in a parchment lined pan.

Make graham cracker layer. Preheat your oven to 350°F. If you haven't already lined your baking pan with a parchment paper sling, do so.
Then, sprinkle the graham cracker crumbs into the bottom of the pan. Pour melted butter over the crumbs, then press into the bottom of the pan to form a crust.

Butterscotch chips and semi sweet chocolate chips sprinkled over a graham cracker crust in a 9x12-inch baking dish.

Add chocolate, butterscotch chips, and coconut. Sprinkle the butterscotch chips, chocolate chips, and coconut evenly over the crust.

7 layer bar ingredients placed on top of the graham crackers

Pour in the condensed milk.

Fully baked 7 layer dessert in a white baking pan.

Bake in preheated oven for 25 minutes.

Seven layer magic cookie bars cut into squares.

Liz's Tips for the Best Bar Cookies

Line the baking pan with a parchment paper sling. Doing so will make it much easier when it comes to removing the bars from the pan.
For nice clean squares, chill the dessert before cutting it into bars.

Variations of 7 Layer Bars

Use different flavors of chips: Swap out the butterscotch chips for white chocolate, mini peanut butter cups, or peanut butter chips.
Add in dried fruit - Consider adding some banana chips, raisins, or dried cherries or cranberries.
Add some chopped pretzels for a sweet and salty treat.

7 layer bar on a small white plate. A platter of the cookie bars sits behind the plate.

Storing

You can store the 7 layer bars for up to 5 days in an airtight container at room temperature. There isn't any need to refrigerate them unless you prefer them on the firmer side.

The cookie bars will keep in the freezer for up to 3 months. Before storing, it's best to chill them on a baking sheet to firm them up. Then, layer them in an airtight container between squares of parchment paper. Or, you can wrap them individually, for portion control.

A plated seven layer bar with a small bite taken out of it.

7 Layer Dessert Recipe FAQ

How fine should graham cracker crumbs be?

Your graham cracker crumbs should resemble a sandy texture. If you've ever made a graham cracker crust for a pie, that would be the ideal texture. If pieces are too large or too fine, the crust will fall apart.

How do you cut magic bars?

Lining the baking pan with parchment paper makes cutting the bars so much easier. Use the paper sling to pull the bars up and out of the pan before cutting. This is a gooey dessert, but spraying your knife with nonstick cooking spray does help. There is no need to use a cutting or sawing motion when slicing. Simply press your sharp knife down to cut through.

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