Easy Recipe for 7 Layer Bars
I’ve always loved Seven Layer Bars. And Rolos. Marrying two of my favorites was an excellent decision. I’m sure everyone has had Seven Layer Bars, Hello Dolly Bars, or Magic Bars. The name changes, but the basic recipe is always the same. A buttery graham cracker crust, topped with chocolate chips, butterscotch chips, coconut, and sweetened condensed milk. Optional nuts is how you get the seventh layer, and the melted butter and graham cracker crumbs each count as one layer in the classic recipe. I think whoever named them was stretching things a bit, but I’m not complaining and am all about getting creative. Seven Layer Bar Cookies anyone? These 7 layers bars have everything going. The slightly crunchy graham cracker crust, the perfect amount of semi-sweet chocolate to cut through the sweetness of the butterscotch chips, coconut, and creamy sweetened condensed milk. I couldn’t help but add Rolos. I love baking with Rolos because unlike caramel squares, Rolos soften just enough to get a little gooey without melting completely. I had to re-home most of the bars with my daughter’s friends because I loved them way too much. All the layers, flavors, and textures work in perfect harmony together. There’s a reason they’re a beloved classic. And the melted caramely Rolo bites are the best of all.
7 Layer Bars Ingredients
To make these easy 7 layer bar cookies, you’ll need:
Butter Graham cracker crumbs Semi-sweet chocolate chips Butterscotch chips Rolo candies Sweetened shredded coconut flakes Sweetened condensed milk
Can I Add Nuts?
Of course! My recipe for 7 layer bars technically only has six layer — oops! But that’s because I don’t love nuts in my baked goods. But feel free to add nuts to the 7 layer cookie bars if that’s what you prefer.
How to Make 7 Layer Bars
This is an incredibly recipe for 7 layer bars, despite my using Rolos instead of regular caramel. Here’s a look at how this 7 layer bars recipe is made:
Can I Make These Bars Gluten-Free?
Definitely! Just buy gluten-free graham crackers and make sure the rest of the ingredients you buy are certified gluten-free.
Can I Double This Recipe?
Most likely, yes. You’d want to bake the 7 layer bars in a 9×13-inch pan if you doubled the ingredients.
Can I Make This Recipe in Advance?
Yes! This 7 layer bar recipe is actually best prepared the day before you plan on serving them. The bars need to set for at least two hours before slicing them, but overnight is best.
Storage Instructions
Store the 7 layer magic bars on the counter in an airtight container. They should last about a week at room temperature. These 7 layer cookie bars also freeze really well and will last up to 6 months in the freezer. These are great to quickly thaw on your counter if you have last-minute guests coming over or need a dessert for a cookie exchange!
Tips for Making 7 Layer Bars
Using other caramel candies: Other gooey or softer candy like Milky Way, Snickers, Mounds, or peanut butter cups would work in place of the Rolos. However, this is not a time to use rock hard Butterfingers. Sweetened condensed milk: Do NOT buy evaporated milk for this recipe, it’s totally different from sweetened condensed milk and will not deliver the same results. Bake time: Keep an extremely close eye on seven layer bars in the final 10 minutes of baking, because coconut can go from raw-looking to burnt in one minute. I recommend tenting the pan with a sheet of foil in the last 5 minutes of baking to prevent coconut from burning.
Recipe Variations to Try
Like I said, I love 7 layer bar recipes! Here are some recipe variations I’ve created over the years:
Cranberry Bliss 7 Layer Bars Holiday 7 Layer Bars Tropical 7 Layer Bars Salted Caramel 7 Layer Bars 7 Layer Cookies Chocolate Chip Cookie 7 Layer Bars
More Dessert Bars:
Carmelitas — Easy one-bowl, no-mixer recipe. With a name like that, they have to be good!! Tried this recipe? Leave a review! Consider leaving a 5 star rating if you’ve made and loved one of my recipes!
Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Bars — These peanut butter chocolate bars are loaded with chocolate chips and creamy peanut butter. This is a one-bowl dessert you’re bound to love!
Caramel Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Gooey Bars – Keep the napkins handy for these soft, gooey bars dripping with the best caramel-peanut butter sauce!
Holiday Special K Bars — Super chewy, gooey, FAST, easy, no-bake cereal bars loaded with peanut butter, chocolate, and sprinkles!! Like scotcheroos but with Special K!
Chocolate Peanut Butter Candy Bars — The bars are no-bake, easy, loaded with bold peanut butter flavor, and plenty of chocolate.
Loaded M&M’s Oreo Cookie Holiday Bars — These bars are loaded with goodies in every bite. Crunchy Oreos and crisp M&M’s are a great texture contrast to the soft, buttery bars.
Banana Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars — A FAST and EASY dessert that is on the HEALTHIER side with only 1/4 cup butter and no oil!! Bold banana flavor, chewiness from the oats, and plenty of chocolate in every bite!!
