Seven Layer Bars

Seven layer bars are the ultimate easy sweet treat! A buttery graham cracker base is layered with sweetened condensed milk, coconut, chocolate chips, butterscotch, and nuts for bars that are chewy, crunchy, and supremely decadent.

Seven layer bars are a classic. Like peanut butter blossoms, fudge brownies, and M&M cookies, they seem to show up at every bake sale and everyone has their own go-to recipe—maybe some skip the coconut, others might use peanut butter chips instead of butterscotch, but they’re all built around that same idea of layering a graham cracker crust with sweetened condensed milk and a variety of toppings.

Why You’ll Love This 7 Layer Bars Recipe

• Easy. Despite the name, there aren’t seven layers in these bars—there are seven ingredients. The graham cracker base is a distinct layer, but everything else gets a little jumbled together in a single layer of deliciousness. The sweetened condensed milk bakes up thick and sticky, holding everything together.
• So delicious. Each bite has different textures and flavors; smooth and crunchy, sweet and salty, decadent and, well, decadent. (Trust me when I tell you that one of these bars is quite enough. They’re richer than they look!) 
• Quick. Did I mention that it all comes together in around 30 minutes? There’s that, too!

Ingredient Notes

Here’s a quick look at what you’ll need to make 7 layers bars. Scroll down to the recipe card for a printable list of ingredients and instructions.

• Graham cracker crumbs – It’s easiest to use store-bought graham crumbs, but you can also make your own by pulsing whole graham crackers in your food processor.
• Unsalted butter – Learn more: Unsalted or Salted Butter: Which is Better for Baking?
• Sweetened condensed milk – This is not the same as evaporated milk, which is unsweetened.
• Sweetened shredded coconut – If you happen to have unsweetened coconut on hand, you can use that instead of sweetened coconut in this recipe. These bars are still plenty sweet, so you’re unlikely to miss the added sweetness of the coconut.
• Semisweet chocolate chips
• Butterscotch chips
• Chopped nuts – Pecans and walnuts are popular choices.

How to Make Seven Layer Bars

As mentioned above, seven layer bars come together quite easily and quickly. That must be why some people call them magic cookie bars!

• Prep your tools. Preheat your oven and lightly grease your baking pan. Line the pan with parchment paper and then lightly grease the paper.

• Make the graham cracker crust. Combine the graham cracker crumbs and melted butter.
• Add to your pan. Press the mixture into the bottom of your pan. Make sure it’s spread evenly so there aren’t some areas that are thicker than others.

• Add the condensed milk. Pour the sweetened condensed milk over the graham cracker crust, distributing it evenly. 

• Finish the layers. Sprinkle the coconut over the top of the milk, followed by the butterscotch chips, chocolate chips, and nuts. Press down gently to help all the toppings stick.

• Bake. Place the pan in the oven and bake until the bars are golden brown.
• Cool, cut, and serve. Let the bars cool completely, then use the lining to lift the bars out of the pan. Use a sharp knife to cut them into squares.

Variations

There are endless variations when it comes to seven layer bars. You can make them without coconut and use old-fashioned oats instead. Have a nut allergy? Omit the nuts or use sunflower seeds or broken pretzel pieces instead. Use chocolate crumbs instead of graham, toffee bits instead of butterscotch chips—basically, as long as you keep the original proportions the same, the world is your oyster.

How to Store

• Counter: Store seven layer bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. 
• Freezer: Wrap them in plastic wrap and place them in an airtight container or freezer bag. Thaw the bars at room temperature before serving.

More Classic Bar Recipes

• Chewy Pecan Pie Bars
• Frosted Sugar Cookie Bars
• Scotcheroos
• Vanilla Bean Cheesecake Bars
• Lemon Bars

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