Skip to Content

MAGIC BARS & Video

These popular Magic Bars are an all-around favorite for everyone with layers upon layers of simple ingredients that magically turn into a tasty cookie bar! They are also known as 7-layer bars, miracle bars, Hello Dolly Bars, or the coconut dream bars. Whatever they are called, get ready for a cookie bar that magically bakes up perfectly and disappears quickly!

hero shot of close up horizontal magic bars

Magic Bars

Even though these decadent dessert bars are known by so many names, they basically all mean the same thing – deliciousness! They may be loaded with incredibly flavorful layers, but they are really worth every single calorie!

close up of a magic bar on a plate

Taste buds are going to go wild with this fabulous combo any time of year. Coconut and pecans add the perfect amount of chewy, crunchy goodness. They’re a real crowd-pleaser, no matter what the age is of your crowd!

What Ingredients Are Needed for Magic Bars?

  • butter
  • graham cracker crumbs
  • coconut
  • chocolate chips
  • walnuts or pecans
  • sweetened condensed milk

Some people like to eat walnuts instead of pecans.

I also love adding peanut butter chips or white chocolate chips to the mix for more flavor additions.

How To Make Magic Bars

  1. Melt the butter and pour it evenly over the bottom of the pan.
  2. Sprinkle the graham cracker crumbs evenly over the melted butter.
  3. Sprinkle the coconut over the graham cracker crumbs.
  4. Sprinkle the chocolate chips over the coconut.
  5. Sprinkle the nuts over the chocolate chips.
  6. Finally, drizzle the sweetened condensed milk over all the ingredients. Do not mix the ingredients together, just layer them.
  7. Bake in a preheated oven for about 30 to 35 minutes or until golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the middle of the squares comes out clean.

How To Store Magic Bars

Magic bars don’t have to be kept in the refrigerator but they will keep longer if stored there. They will last for three to four days in an airtight container at room temperature and about a week in the refrigerator.  They are wonderful to ship as gifts as well.

7 ingredient magical magic bars on a white plate

A Great Family Tradition Recipe

This 7-layer bars recipe can be made in several different ways and might depend on what your family tradition is for the ingredients.

For example, I left the butterscotch chips off of this recipe, but you can add those along with the chocolate chips for even more flavors.

one magic bar in front of Christmas house and container of magic bars

These really are named appropriately, they are magic. Everyone kept going back for second and third helpings. A layer of graham cracker crumbs, a layer of coconut, a layer of chocolate chips, a layer of nuts, so easy! This bar freezes well too!

Can I use a food processor to crush the graham crackers?

Yes, this saves time and crushes the graham crackers into crumbs evenly.

MAGIC BARS!

Also known as Seven Layer Cookies, or Hello Dolly cookies, these gooey treats combine coconut, chocolate chips, nuts, and a graham cracker base.

More Dessert Bar Recipes That You Will Love

Nettie is a wife and mother who is passionate about cooking and baking. With 5 children, Nettie insists that all meals, snacks, and desserts come together quickly! You will find a wide variety of easy yet scrumptious recipes on her very popular website Moore or Less Cooking

Be sure to follow me on Instagram and tag #mooreorlesscooking so I can see all the wonderful recipes that YOU make from this site! Check out my YOUTUBE with a free email subscription HERE
Follow Mooreorlesscooking on TWITTER | BLOGLOVIN

Rating: 1 out of 5.

Rate This Recipe!

Magic Bars
Yield: 16

Magic Bars

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes

Also known as Seven Layer Cookies, or Hello Dolly cookies bars, these gooey treats combine coconut, chocolate chips, nuts, and a graham cracker base.

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
  • 1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
  • 1 cup sweetened or unsweetened flaked or shredded coconut
  • 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
  • 1 cup chopped walnuts or pecans
  • 1 - 14 ounce can sweetened condensed milk

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and place the rack in the center of the oven. Lightly butter or spray with a non-stick cooking spray on a 9 x 9-inch square baking pan.
  2. Melt the butter and pour it evenly over the bottom of your pan.
  3. Sprinkle the graham cracker crumbs evenly over the butter.
  4. Sprinkle the coconut over the crumbs. Sprinkle the chocolate chips over the coconut. Sprinkle the nuts over the chocolate chips.
  5. Finally, drizzle the sweetened condensed milk over all the ingredients. Do not mix the ingredients together, just layer them.
  6. Bake in the preheated oven for about 30 to 35 minutes or until golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the middle of the squares comes out clean.
  7. Remove from oven and place on a wire rack to cool. Cut into squares. Store in the refrigerator. These bars can be frozen.
  8. Makes about 16 - 2 inch squares.

Notes

  • You can basically mix and match any kind of nut and chip that you like. Try Butterscotch chips or White chocolate chips. Add them right in.
  • If you like walnuts better than pecans, then go right ahead and add them in. The softer, fattier nuts (like pecans, walnuts, and cashews) work better than harder ones like almonds or peanuts.
  • Refrigerate the bars.

Nutrition Information

Yield

16

Serving Size

2 inch

Amount Per Serving Calories 318Total Fat 19gSaturated Fat 9gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 9gCholesterol 27mgSodium 96mgCarbohydrates 35gFiber 2gSugar 28gProtein 5g

How much did you LOVE this recipe?

Follow me on Pinterest for more, and use the little pin button at the top of the card to save your favorite recipe!

Note: This post contains Amazon affiliate links. This means that if you click on a link and make a purchase, I will receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting Moore or Less Cooking!

These popular Magic Bars are an all-around favorite for everyone with layers upon layers of simple ingredients that magically turn into a tasty cookie bar! They are also known as 7-layer bars, miracle bars, Hello Dolly Bars, or the coconut dream bars. Whatever they are called, get ready for a cookie bar that magically bakes up perfectly and disappears quickly! via @Mooreorlesscook

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Suanne Murray

Sunday 19th of April 2020

Can I use something besides graham cracker crumbs?

Nettie

Sunday 19th of April 2020

Hi Suanne,

You can replace the graham cracker crumbs with Nilla Wafers.

Nettie

ssjmommy

Saturday 7th of December 2019

I have seen the magic bars but never tried them or made this. This year they are on the list. So many wonderful recipes; all pinned.

Phyllis Arzola

Wednesday 4th of September 2019

How do I get the gram cracker to stay on the bottom? Mine will loose some

Nettie

Thursday 5th of September 2019

Combine graham cracker crumbs and butter. Press into bottom of prepared pan.

Nettie

Courtney Wambeke

Wednesday 19th of June 2019

HI! what would you recommend to replace the walnuts and pecans? I have allergies in the family. Thank you!

Nettie

Wednesday 19th of June 2019

Hi Courtney,

If you have allergies, I would replace with cashews or brazil nuts, or if those are still an issue, just omit them altogether, it's not worth it having an allergic reaction.

Nettie

Tami

Thursday 18th of April 2019

I use m&m’s in place of the choc. chips. Magic rainbow bars.

Nettie

Thursday 18th of April 2019

I love it! Magic Rainbow Bars! I will try that next time I make these yummy bars, thank you for the tip!

Nettie

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Skip to Recipe