Don’t you love recipes that are tried and true, delicious, loved by most, and simple to make? For all the above reasons, I love these bar cookies! They go by many names like, “Magic Bars,” or “Hello Dollies.” But since they are made up of seven layers of ingredients, I call them “7 Layer Bars.”
Great for the holidays
I often make and freeze these bars during the Christmas season, since they are a quick and easy addition for any holiday gathering. I had three Christmas parties at my house this week and they made an appearance at two of them. At one, the college women sampled them while I showed them how easy they are to make. During another party, one guy on our staff team became the spokesperson for these bars– telling everyone, “You have to try these!”
Great for any day
Another fun fact is that my boys make them (and love them), sometimes for their own class parties! One of my kids would take extras to school and make a little money off of them or use them as good trading material (and this was in high school!). If he brought them, kids wanted them!
Great for sharing, if you can!
My mother-in-law used to send dozens of chocolate chip cookies back to school with Brian when he was in college. This fall I sent “7 Layer Bars” with Connor. One time I brought them along with me when I visited him in Austin. I handed him the big container of these magical bars (a big grin instantly spread across his face) and I said, “Try and share them with your roommate and the guys on your floor.” Later he said, he forgot that last part. Good idea, but difficult to do!
Here is the recipe with a helpful hint at the end for making them to be the best ever!
7 Layer Bars
1/2 cup butter, melted
2 cups graham cracker crumbs
1 12oz bag chocolate chips
1 12oz bag butterscotch chips
1 cup chopped pecans
1 cup coconut
1 can sweetened condensed milk
Preheat oven to 350 degrees
Place the stick of butter in a 9×13 metal pan and allow it to melt while the oven is warming up.
Once melted, take the pan out of the oven and add the 2 cups of graham cracker crumbs. Mix the the crumbs and butter together, patting down with a spoon to make a crust.
Pour the bag of chocolate chips over the graham cracker layer and spread evenly.
Next, add the bag of butterscotch chips.
Sprinkle the 1 cup of chopped pecans.
Then spread the coconut evenly.
Finally, pour the can of sweetened condensed milk over the six layers. Yum!
Place in the oven for about 25-30 minutes or until toasted on top. When done, allow to cool for about 30 minutes. After the bars have cooled some, place in the refrigerator to cool completely and to harden.
Once they are hardened, take out and cut into squares. Here is the key: Keep these magical bars, after they are cut, in the refrigerator. They are best when served cold. The bars also freeze well, so make them ahead of time and pull some out on Christmas or on your next gathering! Enjoy!
When I handed the “7 Layer Bars” to Connor when I visited him, he quickly took a bite of one and said enthusiastically, “They are cold!” I kept them in a cooler bag from College Station to Austin, for I know that he too likes them cold!
