Scrumptious Magic Cookie Bars, also known as Hello Dolly Bars and Seven Layer Bars, are layers of chocolate chips, peanut butter chips, coconut, and walnuts over a buttery graham cracker crust. These tasty treats can be prepped and ready to go into the oven in less than five minutes.
I love to take them to potlucks, family reunions, and neighborhood socials because I always come home with an empty dish. They also make a beautiful, tasty addition to my Christmas cookie trays, with haystack cookies, chocolate peppermint cookies, and chocolate crinkle cookies.
Why this recipe works
- This recipe is virtually foolproof. Just a couple of ingredients are mixed, and the rest are layered.
- These seven-layer magic bars are always a hit at parties. As my late mother used to say, they go like hotcakes.
- They can be prepared up to two days before, covered, and stored on the counter at room temperature.
- The magic in these cookie bars is just how delicious they taste. Therefore, consider yourself warned: They are addicting.
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
See the complete list of ingredients below on the recipe card.
- Butter: I use unsalted but salted butter will work, too
- Graham cracker crumbs: Save yourself a little money and crush your graham crackers into fine crumbs in a food processor or with a bag and a rolling pin. One sleeve plus two full sheets make about 1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs.
- Chocolate chips: semi-sweet. You can also use dark chocolate chips. I think milk chocolate chips are too sweet for this recipe, but you can use them.
- Peanut butter flavored chips: Change it up and substitute butterscotch for peanut butter chips.
- Nuts: walnuts or pecans
How to make Magic Cookie Bars
This is the summary version; see the recipe card below for the complete list of ingredients and the instructions.
Start by mixing the crushed graham crackers with the melted butter. Press the mixture into a greased casserole dish. Then sprinkle the chocolate chips, peanut butter chips, shredded coconut, and chopped walnuts over the top.
Pour the sweetened condensed milk over the top, covering as much as possible. Finally, bake for about 30 minutes or until golden brown. Cool the bars completely before cutting.
Preparation Tips
- Grease the casserole dish well. These bars are delicious, but they are sticky.
- Thoroughly cool the bars before slicing so they don’t fall apart.
- You might want to make two batches if you have a large crowd because they go fast. Consider yourself warned.
Recipe Variations
- Lemon: In place of the graham cracker crust, mix lemon cake mix, 1/2 cup melted butter, 1 egg, and 1 tablespoon lemon zest. Spoon into the prepared casserole and pre-bake for 10 minutes. Remove from the oven and top with white chocolate chips, coconut, and almond slivers. Pour sweetened condensed milk over the top and bake for 30 minutes.
- German Chocolate: In place of the graham cracker crust, mix German chocolate cake mix, 1/2 cup melted butter, and 1 egg. Spoon into the prepared casserole and pre-bake for 10 minutes. Remove from the oven and top with chocolate chips, coconut, and chopped pecans. Pour sweetened condensed milk over the top and bake for 30 minutes.
- White Chocolate Macadamia Nut: Follow the recipe as directed, except substitute white chocolate chips for both chocolate and peanut butter chips and macadamia nuts for the walnuts.
Store and Freeze
Store magic cookie bars in an airtight container at room temperature for about a week.
Freeze by placing the bars on a baking sheet covered with parchment paper in a single layer without touching. Place it on a level spot in the freezer until fully frozen, a process known as flash freezing. Then, transfer the frozen bars to a sturdy freezer container with parchment paper or wax paper between the layers. Freeze for up to 3 months.
More Cookie Recipes
Magic Cookie Bar Recipe
Ingredients
- ½ cup unsalted butter melted
- 1 ½ cup graham cracker crumbs
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1 cup peanut butter flavored chips
- 1 ½ cups sweetened flaked coconut
- 1 cup chopped walnuts
- 1 can 14 ounces sweetened condensed milk
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a 9×13 inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray or line the entire dish with parchment paper with an overhang for easy removal.
- In a medium bowl combine melted butter and graham cracker crumbs. Press into bottom of prepared pan. Top with chocolate chips, peanut butter chips, coconut and walnuts in an even layer. Pour the sweetened condensed milk over the top covering as much as you can.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes or until golden brown. Cool the bars completely before cutting.
Notes
- Grease the casserole dish well. These bars are delicious, but they are sticky.
- The bars must be thoroughly cooled before slicing so they don’t fall apart.
- If you have a large crowd, you might want to make two batches because they go fast. Consider yourself warned.
Nutrition
Are you on the hunt for more delicious recipes? Follow Small Town Woman on Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram.
https://www.smalltownwoman.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Beth-1.pdf
Sophia
These were amazing. Easy to make and delicious. I served them for my Christmas party and everyone loved them! Thanks for sharing the recipe.
Beth Pierce
The pleasure is all mine, Sophia!
Marysa
I have had these before, but I’ve never made them. I absolutely love coconut and chocolate, and this sounds like a dreamy combination of ingredients.
Rosey
Oh yes, these are calling my name! I love Magic Cookie Bars, especially this time of year when they seem so festive!
Camilla
I absolutely love that your recipes are printable & can’t wait to try this one! I love chocolate chip recipes 💕
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Camilla! Enjoy!
Melanie
These cookie bars were delicious and so incredibly easy to make. They are going to be on repeat at our house!
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Melanie! We love them too!
Emily
Every time you release a new recipe, my Christmas baking list gets longer and longer! This one looks soooo yummy.
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Emily! Enjoy!
Stephanie
These are so easy but so delicious! Perfect for bringing to a holiday gathering this season.
Donna
I’ve always used butterscotch chips, not peanut butter. Would have to try and see.
Lori Scott
I want to
Frankie Pond
Great recipe!
Beth Pierce
Thanks Frankie!!
Kara
I’ve made similar bars with just chocolate chips dozens of times. This was the first time I tried them with half peanut butter chips. Oh my goodness, I am in trouble! So good!
Stephanie
Yum! My grandma used to make something like this and I totally forgot about it, until I tasted these. So Delicious!!
Natalie
I can’t resist homemade magic cookie bars!! I don’t make them often, because I will eat them all.
Susan Martin
Instead of a graham cracker crust I wonder how a short bread cookie crust would taste??? Has anyone tried to switch up the crust?
Beth Pierce
I think that would be delicious!
Michelle
These are my favorite cookies from when i was a kid. i was looking for a version to make and found this recipe and can’t wait to try it soon!
Nicole
I cant explain how awesome these cake bars were. I already had everything in hand but the graham cracker crumbs so i made a quick trip to the store (I was going there anyways) and now I’m in heaven. I have no doubt these will be go-to favorites around here.