7 Layer Magic Cookie Bars

Seven Layer Magic Cookie Bars are sweet, sticky, and loaded with so many goodies! The buttery graham cracker crust is topped with chocolate chips, butterscotch chips, shredded coconut, pecans, and sweetened condensed coconut milk. The easy recipe is vegan, dairy-free, and gluten-free friendly. Also known as Hello Dolly Bars, this is a crowd-pleasing coconut dessert that everyone can enjoy!

This post is sponsored by Nature’s Charm. All opinions shared are my own. Thank you for supporting the brands that support Purely Kaylie!

Why are they called seven layer bars?

As the name suggests, this chocolate coconut dessert is packed with 7 layers: graham crackers, butter, chocolate chips, butterscotch chips, pecans, coconut, and condensed coconut milk. Whether you know them by this name or another (like magic cookie bars or hello dolly bars) it truly doesn’t matter. One thing’s for certain: they are ridiculously delicious and dangerously addictive!

You’ll be left wondering how so many textures and flavors can exist in one glorious square. The crust is crispy and buttery, while the center is loaded with rich chocolate and salty-sweet butterscotch. The crunchy pecans are coated in sweet, gooey coconut milk. All 7 ingredients come together perfectly to form one magnificent treat!

What are magic cookie bars made of?

• Graham cracker crumbs: If you can’t find graham cracker crumbs at the store, you can easily make your own at home. Just add graham cracker sheets to a food processor, then pulse until a crumbled powder forms.
• Sweetened condensed coconut milk: Nature’s Charm sweetened condensed coconut milk is a dairy-free alternative to sweetened condensed milk. Make sure you don’t swap it for regular coconut milk, as it will not work the same way.
• Butter: If you need the bars to be dairy-free, use vegan butter. However, if it doesn’t matter, you can use regular butter instead.
• Chocolate chips: Any type of chocolate chips, whether they’re milk or dark, work well for this dessert.
• Butterscotch chips: If you don’t have butterscotch chips, you can use peanut butter chips or caramel chips instead.
• Pecans: Be sure to use raw chopped pecans. In other words, they should be unsalted and unroasted.
• Shredded coconut: Use unsweetened shredded coconut, as the bars are plenty sweet on their own already.

How to make vegan 7 layer bars

For the full ingredient measurements and step-by-step instructions, scroll down to view the recipe card at the bottom of the page.

First, preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking pan with non-stick spray. Line it with parchment paper.

Next, in a bowl, combine the graham cracker crumbs and melted butter. Mix together. Press the mixture into the baking dish, forming an even layer.

Then, pour the sweetened condensed coconut milk over the ingredients and evenly spread across them. If desired, sprinkle an extra handful of chocolate chips and butterscotch chips on top.

After, bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown. Remove from the oven and let cool completely. Once cooled, remove from the pan and slice into 24 bars. Enjoy!

Recipe variations

What can I use instead of pecans? I strongly suggest using chopped pecans because they provide the best taste and texture. However, you can use chopped walnuts or chopped pecans instead. Just make sure they are not roasted and salted.

What can I use instead of butterscotch chips? Butterscotch chips can be tricky to find, especially if you need them to be dairy-free. If you don’t have any, you can use peanut butter chips or caramel chips instead. As a last resort, drizzling 1/2 cup peanut butter over the chocolate also works well.

Can I use canned coconut milk? No, you must use sweetened condensed coconut milk. The super sweet flavor and thick consistency is essential for these magic cookie bars!

How to store hello dolly bars

Store the bars inside a tightly sealed container. If enjoying within 1-3 days, you can keep them at room temperature. If you want to store them longer, keep in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.

Can I freeze vegan magic cookie bars?

Yes! If you’d like to freeze the bars, store them inside a tightly sealed ziplock bag. Use parchment paper to separate the bars so they don’t all stick together. Let defrost to room temperature before enjoying. They will keep fresh for up to 3 months in the freezer.

If you try these 7 Layer Magic Cookie Bars, please let me know your thoughts by leaving a rating and comment below!

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