Magic Bars Recipe (Hello Dolly Bars) - Lauren's Latest (2024)

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Magic Bars, also known as Hello Dolly Bars (or seven layer bars), are made with a buttery graham cracker crust, topped with pecans, coconut shreds, chocolate, and butterscotch chips then drizzled with sweetened condensed milk and baked! They are a decadent dessert bar, but one that is nearly fail-proof. Want a variation of these magic cookie bars, but made with Oreos? Give my Oreo Magic Bars a try!

Magic Bars Recipe (Hello Dolly Bars) - Lauren's Latest (1)

But First, What are Magic Bars?

This easy dessert has a graham cracker crust, topped with pecans, coconut shreds, chocolate, and butterscotch chips then drizzled with sweetened condensed milk and baked! These are Magic Bars, 7-layer bars and also known as Hello Dolly Bars. Whatever you call this treat, you know it’s going to be killer. I mean how could you go wrong? And one of the many beauties of these bars is that you can change up the toppings and turn them into a completely different dessert! Simple ingredients like white chocolate chips, macadamia nuts, dark chocolate chips, peanut butter chips, peanuts, almonds, walnuts, even chopped up Oreos or mini marshmallows.The possibilities are endless, just like my craving for these bars!

Magic Bars Recipe (Hello Dolly Bars) - Lauren's Latest (2)

What Are the Seven Layers in 7-Layer Bars?

  • Graham Cracker Crumbs
  • Butter
  • Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips
  • Butterscotch Chips
  • Pecans
  • Coconut
  • Sweetened Condensed Milk

Simple Substitutions & Recipe Variations For This 7 Layer Bar Recipe

While this is a classic magic cookie bar recipe made as written, this is one of my favorite recipes because there are so many simple substitutions you can add or swap out to make these your own.

For the Crust

While butter and graham cracker crumbs are the classic choice, consider using crushed Oreos (golden or original), crushed ritz crackers, shortbread cookies or ground golden grahams cereal. All will add their own unique flavor, but will get the job done and act as a delicious and sturdy crust for the toppings.

Toppings

The sky is nearly the limit to what you can add to these Hello Dolly Bars to really make these your own. Who says it has to be a 7 layer recipe? Make it 10 if you want!

  • Baking Chips: you will need a total of 2 cups of whatever kind of ‘chip’ you would like. I use semi-sweet chocolate chips and butterscotch chips, but feel free to substitute these for what you have on hand or what you prefer. Here are a few options: dark chocolate chips, milk chocolate chips, white chocolate chips, peanut butter chips, cinnamon chips or even heath bar baking chips. Yum!
  • Nuts & Coconut: these are mainly added for texture and may do they make a delicious magic bar. You need 2 cups total of any combination of the following: shredded coconut (or coconut flakes), pecans, walnuts, almonds, cashews, pine nuts, pistachios or peanuts.

Sweetened Condensed Milk is the Glue

There is no good substitution I have found for sweetened condensed milk. Like the heading suggests, the sweetened condensed milk acts like the glue that holds all the toppings onto the crust and essentially creates your dessert bars. This is an ingredient you don’t want to skip.

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How to Make Magic Bars (Seven-Layer Bars)

For full details on how to make Magic Bars, see the recipe card down below 🙂

Preheat + Prep

Preheat oven. Line a 9×13 pan with parchment paper and spray with nonstick cooking spray. Set aside.

Make the Crust

In a small bowl, stir melted butter together with graham cracker crumbs until moist. Press evenly into the bottom of the pan using the bottom of a measuring cup.

Pro Tip: You can make your own graham crackers crumbs in a food processor by pulsing whole crackers until they become fine crumbs, or take some help from the store and buy them pre-crumbled.

Layer Goodies

Top crust with chocolate chips, butterscotch chips, coconut, and pecans. Drizzle the top with sweetened condensed milk as evenly as possible. If it doesn’t spread evenly, use the back of a spoon or butter knife to spread.

Bake, Cool + Slice

Bake 25 minutes or until bars have set and edges are slightly golden brown. Cool completely, then using a sharp knife, cut into 20 even bars. Store and serve at room temperature.

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Magic Bars Recipe (Hello Dolly Bars) - Lauren's Latest (5)

Storing Magic Bars

This Magic Bar Recipe can be stored in an airtight container for up to 5 days at room temperature. You could refrigerate these if you live in a hotter climate however they don’t necessarily need to be stored in the fridge.

Can I Freeze Magic Bars?

Yes! You can absolutely freeze Magic Bars! Bake as normal then cool completely. Slice into bars then store in an airtight freezer-safe container for up to two months.

Thaw at room temperature then, if desired, heat one up in the microwave (be careful not to zap it for too long)!

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What are the layers of magic bars (7-layer bars)?

Magic bars have seven layers consisting of graham cracker crumbs, butter, semi-sweet chocolate chips, butterscotch chips, chopped pecans, shredded coconut, all glued together with sweetened condensed milk.

How do I store magic bars (7-layer bars)?

Magic bars can be stored in an airtight container for up to 5 days at room temperature. You could refrigerate these if you live in a hotter climate however they don’t necessarily need to be stored in the fridge.

Can I freeze magic bars (7-layer bars)?

Yes! You can absolutely freeze magic bars! Bake as normal then cool completely. Slice into bars then store in an airtight freezer-safe container for up to two months. Thaw at room temperature then, if desired, heat one up in the microwave (be careful not to zap it for too long)!

Love Magic Bars? More Bars Try!

  • Carmelita Bars
  • Banoffee Bars
  • Coconut Bars
  • Sugar Cookie Bars
  • Caramel Snickerdoodle Bars
  • Scotcharoos

The printable recipe card for these delicious bars is down below, enjoy friends 🙂

If you make this recipe, I would really appreciate it if you wouldgive it a star rating and leave your review in the comments! If you have a picture of your finished dish, post it on Instagram using the hashtag #laurenslatest and tagging me @laurens_latest.

5 from 12 votes

Magic Bars (Hello Dolly Bars)

Magic Bars, also known as Hello Dolly Bars or 7-layer bars, are made from a graham cracker crust, chocolate, nuts, coconut shreds, butterscotch all glued together with sweetened condensed milk. Perfect for sharing, or not!

servings 20 squares

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 25 minutes mins

Total Time 40 minutes mins

Ingredients

For the Crust:

For the Toppings:

US CustomaryMetric

Equipment

  • 9×13 dish

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350° F. Line a 9×13 pan with parchment paper and spray with nonstick cooking spray. Set aside.

  • In a small bowl, stir melted butter together with graham cracker crumbs until moist. Press evenly into the bottom of 9×13 pan using the bottom of a measuring cup.

  • Top crust with chocolate chips, butterscotch chips, coconut and pecans. Drizzle the top with sweetened condensed milk as evenly as possible. If it doesn't spread evenly, use the back of a spoon or butter knife to spread. Sprinkle the top with sea salt, if desired.

  • Bake 25 minutes or until bars have set and edges have browned slightly. Cool completely, then cut into 20 even bars. Store and serve at room temperature.

Notes

The beauty of these bars is you can change up the toppings and turn them into a completely different dessert! Try white chocolate chips, macadamia nuts, dark chocolate chips, peanut butter chips, peanuts, almonds, walnuts, even chopped up oreos or mini marshmallows.

Nutrition

Calories: 273kcal | Carbohydrates: 31g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 16g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 20mg | Sodium: 269mg | Potassium: 173mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 25g | Vitamin A: 210IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 73mg | Iron: 1mg

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Keyword: hello dolly bars, magic bars

Magic Bars Recipe (Hello Dolly Bars) - Lauren's Latest (2024)

FAQs

How do you make Dolly Parton bars? ›

directions
  1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit.
  2. Spread melted butter in a 9 x 13 pan.
  3. Sprinkle with graham crumbs.
  4. Add the nuts, chips and coconut, sprinkling evenly over crumbs.
  5. Cover all with condensed milk.
  6. Bake for 25 minutes.
  7. Allow to cool and cut into squares.

What are magic bars made of? ›

Traditional Magic Bars, also known as Hello Dolly Bars or 7 Layer Bars, are a layered dessert bar with a crumbly graham cracker crust, then topped with layers of butterscotch, coconut, chocolate, and nuts. Everything sticks together from gooey sweetened condensed milk that caramelizes on top when baked.

Why are they called Hello Dolly Bars? ›

The Hello Dolly name is a reference to the Broadway musical "Hello, Dolly!" which was a popular musical when these bars were created in the mid-1960s. The bars are assembled in seven layers, and they are incredibly delicious.

Can magic squares be frozen? ›

Even better, magic bars are also freezer-friendly, so you can stash a batch to offer unexpected guests or just when a craving strikes. If you're in the mood for more dessert bar recipes, try my chocolate chip cookie bars, lemon bars recipe, or peanut butter bars recipe.

How many hours a night does Dolly Parton sleep? ›

If you are wondering what time the 'Jolene' singer's alarm goes off, most mornings she's awake around 3 am. Though most of us would struggle with anything at this time, the veteran performer revealed that she's comfortable with just three to five hours sleep.

How much of Dollywood does Dolly Parton own? ›

Parton's 50% stake in the theme park is worth about $165 million, Forbes reported in 2021. Dollywood remains the top tourist attraction in Tennessee with around 3 million visitors each year, according to CBS affiliate WVLT. A one-day adult ticket costs $89.

Should you refrigerate magic bars? ›

Cut into 24 pieces and store in an airtight container with wax paper or parchment paper between layers. The flavor of the bars is even better the day after baking. Bars stored at room temperature will be fairly soft and are best eaten within 3 to 5 days. For firm and chewy bars, store in the fridge for up to a week.

Is condensed milk the same as evaporated milk? ›

Both are concentrated, shelf-stable milk products that have been heated until at least 60 percent of their water content has evaporated. The main difference between evaporated milk and condensed milk is that evaporated milk is unsweetened while condensed milk is sweetened.

Do Magic bars have nicotine? ›

It has 650mAh battery and 20mg nicotine strength. Magic Bar series are the first disposable devices to hit the market, providing customers with a better option because of their excellent flavour, high quality, and competitive price.

Why was Hello, Dolly so expensive? ›

Building New York City in Los Angeles. One of the main reasons for Dolly's high cost was the problem of depicting New York City in the 1890s. It would not have been possible to film on location in New York in 1968, nor would it have been historically accurate.

What is a fun fact about Hello, Dolly? ›

FUN FACTS. The show album cast recording was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2002. The film adaption of Hello Dolly premiered in 1969. The movie received seven Oscar nominations and won three.

What is the point of Hello, Dolly? ›

Hello, Dolly! is the story of Mrs. Dolly Levi's efforts to marry Horace Vandergelder, the well-known half-a-millionaire, and send his money circulating among the people like rainwater the way her late husband, Ephraim Levi, taught her.

How long do squares last in the freezer? ›

For best quality, freeze cookies and squares for up to 3 months.

Can you freeze shortbread bars? ›

Make Ahead & Freezing Instructions: You can make the shortbread dough and chill it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Allow to come to room temperature then continue with step 3. Baked shortbread freezes well for up to 3 months. Unbaked shortbread dough freezes well for up to 3 months.

How do you make dollies? ›

Directions
  1. Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C).
  2. Combine graham cracker crumbs, melted butter, and sugar. Press into the bottom of a 9x9-inch baking pan. Layer chocolate chips, coconut, and pecans over the crumbs. ...
  3. Bake in the preheated oven for 25 to 30 minutes. Let cool and cut into squares.
Jan 9, 2023

What makes Dolly Parton stand out? ›

Parton's progressive lyrics and her willingness to speak out despite potentially adverse consequences made her stand out among female performers.

What does Dolly Parton put in her eggs? ›

“When you crack your eggs in the bowl, say if you're going to scramble them, use ice water. Put a few drops of ice water as you're cooking them and that makes them fluffier — it really does!”

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