Magic Bars (also called 7 layer bars) are simple cookie bars made from a graham cracker crust, three different types of chocolate chips, coconut and nuts. This is the EASIEST dessert, and always a party favorite.

If you love dessert bars, don’t miss our Peanut Butter Brownies, Scotcheroos, and Toffee Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars!

The best Magic Bars recipe cut into bars and placed on a baking sheet.

This magic bars recipe goes by many names depending on your location. You may hear them called, hello dolly bars, magic cookie bars, coconut dream bars, or 7 layer bars. Each name means basically the same thing; a delicious cookie bar made without eggs or flour, and with layers of chocolate, butterscotch and coconut bliss.

Ingredients:

  • Graham crackers: honey or chocolate flavored, crushed using a food processor or rolling pin.
  • Butter: melted, for the crust.
  • Chocolate chips and butterscotch chips: or use whichever chips are your favorite, including white chocolate.
  • Heath bars: crushed up.
  • Shredded coconut: shredded sweetened or unsweetened coconut if preferred. Avoid large shreds of coconut.
  • Chopped nuts: walnuts or pecans are preferred.
  • Sweetened condensed milk: this is the true “magic” of the bars and it helps bind all the ingredients together and has a caramel-like flavor when cooked.
The ingredients needed for easy magic bars: graham crackers, butter, chocolate chips, butterscotch chips, heath bars, shredded coconut, chopped nuts, and sweetened condensed milk.

How to Make Magic Bars (7 Layer Bars):

Make Crust: Crush graham crackers in the sleeve, or using a food processor or rolling pin. Mix with melted butter then pour mixture into a greased 8’’ square baking dish. Sprinkle crust with chocolate chips and butterscotch chips.

Chocolate chips and butterscotch chips sprinkled on top of a graham cracker crust for easy 7 layer bars.

Top with Layers: Sprinkle chopped heath bars, nuts and coconut then pour sweetened condensed milk evenly over the top.

Two images showing magic bars with all the layers in a square pan, then sweetened condensed milk being poured on top.

Bake at 350 degrees F for 30-35 minutes. Allow to cool before serving. (I like to refrigerate mine for a few hours before serving these 7 layer bars recipe so they are easier to get out of the pan, to cut and hold the “layers” better.)

A stack of four Magic Bars, showing all the layers, ready to enjoy.

Make Ahead And Freezing Instructions:

To Make Ahead: You can make magic cookie bars 1-2 days ahead of time.  Store them covered, in the refrigerator until ready to serve.

To Freeze: Freeze magic bars for up to 3 months, in a freezer-safe container.

Recipe Variations:

  • Chocolate Crust: Use chocolate graham crackers instead of honey graham crackers.
  • Oreo Crust: Crush 24 Oreos and mix with 5 tablespoons melted butter.
  • Different Flavored Chips: Try white chocolate, mint, or any variety of chocolate chips.
  • Vegan Magic Bars: Substitute vegan butter and, in place of sweetened condensed milk, dissolve ⅓ cup sugar in 1 cup of full fat coconut milk.

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Recipe

The best Magic Bars recipe cut into bars and placed on a baking sheet.
Prep 10 minutes
Cook 30 minutes
Total 40 minutes
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Ingredients
 
 

  • 1 sleeve honey graham crackers*
  • 6 Tablespoons butter , melted
  • 1 cup chocolate chips
  • 1/2 cup butterscotch chips
  • 2 heath bars , chopped
  • 1 cup shredded coconut
  • 1 cup chopped nuts
  • 1 can sweetened condensed milk

Instructions
 

  • Crush graham crackers in the sleeve, using a food processor, or rolling pin. Mix with melted butter and pour mixture into a greased 8’’ square baking dish.
  • Sprinkle crust with chocolate chips, then butterscotch chips, chopped heath bars, nuts and coconut. Pour sweetened condensed evenly over the top.
  • Bake at 350 degrees F for 30-35 minutes. Allow to cool before serving. (I like to refrigerate mine for a few hours before serving so they are easier to get out of the pan, to cut and hold the “layers” better.)

Notes

Graham Crackers: One sleeve of graham crackers is 9 whole crackers, and will yield 1 heaping cup of graham cracker crumbs. 
Chocolate Crust: Use chocolate graham crackers instead of honey graham crackers.
Oreo Crust: Crush 24 Oreos and mix with 5 tablespoons melted butter.
Different Flavored Chips: Try white chocolate, mint, or any variety of chocolate chips.
Vegan Magic Bars: Substitute vegan butter and, in place of sweetened condensed milk, dissolve ⅓ cup sugar in 1 cup of full fat coconut milk.
Make Ahead Instructions: You can make magic bars 1-2 days ahead of time.  Store them covered, in the refrigerator until ready to serve.
Freezing Instructions: Freeze magic bars for up to 3 months, in a freezer safe conatiner.

Nutrition

Calories: 271kcalCarbohydrates: 29gProtein: 3gFat: 17gSaturated Fat: 8gPolyunsaturated Fat: 4gMonounsaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0.2gCholesterol: 20mgSodium: 102mgPotassium: 177mgFiber: 1gSugar: 27gVitamin A: 204IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 88mgIron: 0.4mg

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I originally shared this recipe April 2016. Updated September 2020 and August 2023.

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Lauren Allen

Welcome! I’m Lauren, a mom of four and lover of good food. Here you’ll find easy recipes and weeknight meal ideas made with real ingredients, with step-by-step photos and videos.

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