These 7-Layer Bars, also known as Hello Dollies or Magic Bars, are a nostalgic treat made with just seven simple ingredients: graham cracker crumbs, butter, chocolate chips, butterscotch chips, shredded coconut, chopped pecans (or walnuts), and sweetened condensed milk. Bring them to parties, picnics, and potlucks, or include them in your holiday dessert lineup for Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and more.
Seven Layer Bars are a family tradition!
Many of us grew up enjoying these sweet and chewy magic bars, lovingly made by a grandma, aunt, or mother-in-law for potlucks or holiday gatherings like Easter, Thanksgiving, or Christmas. Let the tradition (and magic) continue! The Hello Dolly bars are incredibly easy to make—no mixing, no creaming butter with sugar, and no eggs required. Simply layer the 7 ingredients in a pan, one on top of the other, and bake until golden and toasty. These bars are so delicious they rarely last long, but if they do, they freeze beautifully for later (though you probably won’t need to worry about that!). Surprise your friends and family with these simple Hello Dollies—they’re guaranteed to impress!
Ingredients and substitutions
- Graham crackers (crumbs). Buy regular graham crackers and crush them yourself. Do not use store-bought graham cracker crumbs. To make these seven-layer bars gluten-free, buy gluten-free graham crackers. You could also use pretzels to help cut the extreme sweet factor of this recipe.
- Salted butter is the best choice as it adds just a touch of salt. You can also use unsalted butter.
- Semi-sweet chocolate chips. You can also use white chocolate chips or dark chocolate chips.
- Butterscotch chips. You can use your other favorite morsels: peanut butter chips, caramel bites, or white chocolate chips.
- Shredded coconut. You can use sweetened or unsweetened coconut. The Hello Dollies are extremely sweet, so if you don't want them to be that sweet, use the unsweetened kind.
- Chopped pecans. Toast pecans for extra crunch and flavor if desired. Substitute with walnuts (untoasted), macadamia nuts, peanuts, or almonds.
- Sweetened condensed milk. You can cut the fat and calories by using fat-free sweetened condensed milk.
You will need the following supplies/pans/equipment:
- 9 x 13 pan
- Parchment paper
- Nonstick spray
- Medium mixing bowl
- Measuring cups
How to make Seven-Layer Bars (Hello Dollies)
Note: This is a recipe overview with helpful step-by-step photos. Scroll down to the recipe card for the recipe and the exact amounts.
1) Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a 9 x 13 pan with parchment paper and spray the sides of the pan with nonstick spray.
2) In a medium mixing bowl, combine the graham cracker crumbs and butter.
3) Press the mixture into the 9 x 13 pan.
4) Top the graham cracker layer with the chocolate chips, butterscotch chips, shredded coconut, and chopped pecans.
5) Pour the sweetened condensed milk all over the top.
6) Bake for 25 to 30 minutes until golden brown.
7) Allow the dessert to cool completely, then cut into bars.
Storage instructions
- Room temperature or fridge. Hello Dolly Bars should be stored in an airtight container at room temperature or in the fridge for 3-5 days.
- Freezer. Cut the bars into desired sizes, arrange them on a parchment-lined baking sheet, and freeze them until firm. Transfer to an airtight container, layering with parchment paper to prevent sticking, or use large freezer bags. Cover airtight and store frozen for up to 2 months. Thaw on the counter overnight before serving.
Tips for Success
- What is the best way to crumble the graham crackers? Place them in a large Ziplock bag and smash them with a rolling pin. Alternatively, you can use a food processor and pulse them until they crumble.
- Is there a way to cut the bars without them crumbling? The best way to cut the seven-layer bars without crumbling is to let them cool before cutting. If you need them to cool faster, you can place them in the refrigerator for a short time to accelerate this process.
- Should I use sweetened or unsweetened coconut? Either will work for this recipe. Just remember that this is an overly sweet dish, so if you want to help cut some of the sweetness, you may opt for the unsweetened coconut.
How to make the seven-layer bars allergy-friendly
- Make them gluten-free. You will need to replace the graham cracker with a gluten-free graham cracker or gf pretzel base.
- Make them nut-free. Omit the nuts, but if you want to add something to help keep that crunch in place, toffee bits or crushed peppermint candies would be a good choice.
- Make them dairy-free. Use sweetened condensed coconut or sweetened condensed oat milk instead of regular condensed milk. Replace regular butter with plant-based butter. Toll House, Enjoy Life, and Ghirardelli all have dairy-free options for the chocolate chips.
Other desserts you might like
- Cranberry Apple Pecan Bundt Cake
- Pecan Shortbread Cookies
- Apple Pecan Skillet Cake
- Hazelnut Shortbread Cookies
Seven Layer Bars (Hello Dollies)
Ingredients
- 2 cups graham cracker crumbs
- 8 tablespoons salted butter melted
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1 cup butterscotch chips
- 1 cup shredded coconut
- 1 cup chopped pecans
- 14 oz sweetened condensed milk
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a 9 x 13 pan with parchment paper and spray the sides of the pan with nonstick spray.
- In a medium mixing bowl, combine the graham cracker crumbs and butter. Press the mixture into the 9 x 13 pan.
- Top the graham cracker layer with the chocolate chips, butterscotch chips, shredded coconut, and chopped pecans. Pour the sweetened condensed milk all over the top.
- Bake for 25 to 30 minutes until golden brown.
- Allow the uncut bars to cool completely, then cut into bars.
Notes
- Best Way to Crumble Graham Crackers: Place them in a Ziplock bag and crush with a rolling pin, or pulse in a food processor.
- How to Prevent the Bars from Crumbling When Cutting: Let the bars cool completely before cutting. For faster cooling, chill them briefly in the fridge.
- Sweetened or Unsweetened Coconut? Both work, but unsweetened coconut can help reduce the overall sweetness of the dish.
- Make It Gluten-Free. Swap regular graham crackers with gluten-free graham crackers or a pretzel base.
- Make It Nut-Free. Skip the nuts altogether. Or, use toffee bits or crushed peppermint candies instead for crunch.
- Make It Dairy-Free: Use sweetened condensed coconut or oat milk instead of sweetened condensed milk. Use plant-based butter to replace regular butter. Choose dairy-free chocolate chips and morsels of your choice.
Nutrition
Nutrition Disclaimer:
The nutritional information on this website is only an estimate and is provided for convenience and as a courtesy only. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed. It should not be used as a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.
I made it gluten-free (used gf graham crackers) and used peanut butter chips to replace the butterscotch (don't care for that flavor). I also used spicy almonds that I slightly crushed in my food processor. Delicious. I could eat the whole batch but restrained myself, lol.