Known by a number of names, the Magic Bar, Hello Dolly Bar, or 7-Layer Bar is a delicious layered cookie that can be made in thousands of combinations with these Magic Bars Variations.
What sweet treat do you consider irresistible? C’mon, there’s gotta be one. Or three.
There exist a handful of foods that I would go so far as to call addictive. Caramel Corn is one. Soda Cracker Cookies are another. And Magic Bars definitely rank in the top three.
I’m not sure what it is, but I suspect it’s the fact that all three feature caramel and some kind of crunch. All three are perfect for the holidays, but I’m going to suggest that you add Magic Bars to your list this year since they are so easy, incredibly versatile, and you guessed it simply irresistible.
What are Magic Bars?
Also known as Magic Cookie Bars, Coconut Dream Bars, 7-Layer Bars, Hello Dolly Bars, or even Hello Dollies, these dessert bars are pretty magical. The original Magic Bar is made from layering sweetened condensed milk, chocolate chips, flaked coconut, and nuts atop a butter and graham cracker crust. It bakes into a gooey, caramelized concoction that is tremendously tasty.
The history of Hello Dolly Bars, as they were (probably) originally called, is a bit of a debate. Some say a little girl and her gramma created them, naming them after the popular musical of the mid-60s; others credit Gail Borden and her Eagle Brand company for slapping the recipe on cans of sweetened, condensed milk, sometime around 1965.
Either way, the cookie has been a winner for over 50 years!
What are the components of Magic Bars?
The standard ingredients in Magic Bars are:
- butter
- graham cracker crumbs
- chopped nuts
- chocolate chips
- shredded coconut
- sweetened condensed milk
- butterscotch chips show up in many versions labeled 7-Layer Bars, so early on, variations were already cropping up!
What order do you layer the ingredients?
In my research I discovered a wide range in methods of assembly. Some people add the goodies and top with the milk; others do it in reverse; some mix it up, leaving coconut for last.
My authority (ie the first recipe I ever saw for Magic Bars) comes from Sandham’s Dutch Touch Cookbook, put together by my Aunt Sandy’s church guild in 1977. Ergo, the “right” way to layer the ingredients is to end with the milk.
However, I see different reasons for changing the layering process, including leaving the coconut for last: the cookies look a bit prettier. If you use colored candies, they’re best left for last as well so as to retain their color.
If you choose to add the milk after the crumb layer, be sure to press the goodies into the milk slightly to help everything stick together.
Don’t you need sugar in the crumb crust?
Again, you’ll find a lot of variance in whether sugar is needed for the crust. Some argue that the sugar helps hold the crumbs together. Others say the cookie is sweet enough.
Depending on the flavor and texture of the crumbs you use in your crust, you may want to add 2 tablespoons of sugar.
In my testing, chocolate cookie crumbs don’t need the sugar, but things like oats or pretzels can benefit from the addition.
Shouldn’t the coconut be sweetened?
The classic version of Hello Dolly Bars calls for sweetened coconut shreds. I prefer to use unsweetened shredded coconut since there’s already so many sweet elements in the mix. You can also use coconut flakes.
Can I omit the coconut?
You can absolutely omit the coconut if you prefer. The bars are just as tasty without coconut, and after all, add another layer of variations to the mix.
Can you make Magic Bars or Hello Dolly Bars vegan?
The beauty of this recipe is that there is no egg, the one thing that can make vegan baking tricky sometimes.
To make vegan Hello Dolly Bars, simply use plant-based butter or kosher margarine for the butter and use sweetened condensed coconut milk instead of regular. You’ll notice that the cans of sweetened condensed coconut milk are a tad less than 14 ounces.
Be sure to read the labels of the baking chips, cookies, or crackers you use to be confirm they are egg- and dairy-free.
How can you make Hello Dolly Bars different?
While the original combination is pretty delicious, the basic recipe lends itself to all sorts of variations. Over 6,000 to be exact!
Magic Bar Variations
Yep, it’s true. You can make so many different Magic Bar variations, it’s crazy!
Years ago I started playing with this recipe and found that I loved using Oreo crumbs instead of graham crackers. Swapping semisweet for dark chocolate, sealed the deal. Double Chocolate Magic Bars have since been a fam favorite ever since.
But, I’ve also learned that mixing and match different goodies into the basic recipe, swapping different crackers or cookies for the graham crackers and enhancing the filling with dried fruit, Nutella, jam, and different styles of baking chips provides you with endless cookie combinations.
Since the recipe is so easy and mess-free to prepare, it makes for the perfect sweet treat any time of year, but especially at the holidays.
Consider these different options the next time you want to make Hello Dolly Bars:
While the butter and the sweetened condensed milk are necessary to keep everything together, you can swap out the flavor of the crust and the goodies piled on. Check this out:
You can make your crumb crust with:
- graham crackers
- chocolate cookies
- Biscoff
- gingersnaps
- shortbread cookies
- pretzels
- Nilla wafers
- Saltine crackers
- Digestives – a Scottish cookie similar to graham crackers, but better.
- Cereal – I’ve even seen recipes from the 70s that call for crushed cornflakes as well as versions using rolled oats.
You can layer on different fruits and spreads, including:
- dried cranberries
- raisins
- golden raisins
- dried blueberries
- chopped dried figs
- dried apricot bits
- dried cherries
- fruit jam
- Nutella
- nut butter
You can layer on any of the following baking chips:
- dark chocolate
- semisweet chocolate
- milk chocolate
- white chocolate
- cinnamon chips
- butterscotch chips
- espresso chocolate chips
- English toffee bits
- M&M’s – if you choose to add colored candies, such as M&M’s, be sure to add them after the sweetened condensed milk. This will help preserve their color during the baking process.
You can layer on any of the following nuts or seeds:
- slivered almonds
- chopped almonds
- chopped cashews
- chopped pecans
- chopped walnuts
- macadamia nuts
- peanuts
- pepitas
- sunflower seeds
Is there a limit to what you can add to Magic Bars?
While there’s clearly no limit to the variety of things you can add to your basic Magic Bar, there is a limit on the quantity of goodies.
I recommend that you not exceed 4 1/3 cups of different toppings, including the coconut. Any more and your cookie bars may not hold together very well.
How many different ways can you make Magic Bars?
With my chart of (at least!) nine different options across four different categories, you can make upwards of 6,561 different combinations of layered dessert bars and more if you include more variations such as changing the milk flavor or omitting the coconut—basically a different version every week for a lifetime.
Now that’s some magical cookies!
I hope you will try a few different mash-ups and let me know which combinations you like the best. If you’re interested, I’ve put together a printable chart to help you maximize your magic bar-making.
Head here to subscribe to my newsletter and I’ll send the free printable straight to your inbox.
Now, a few more details…
Do Magic Bars need to be refrigerated?
Magic bars do not need to be refrigerated. They are good at room temperature, covered in an airtight container.
How long do Hello Dolly Bars keep?
These dessert bars are good for up to 4 days at room temperature.
However, I’ve been known to eat a full pan in an afternoon, so they likely won’t last long with hungry people in the house.
For longer keeping—and to hide them away so they last longer—store your bars in the freezer in an airtight container.
Do you even need a recipe?
My friend Lynn claims that you don’t really need a recipe for these yummy bars. She just uses whatever she has on hand. In fact, she pointed out that there is chocolate sweetened condensed milk on the market, thereby increasing your magic bar variations by another 6,561. Ha!
That said, she’s been pretty creative herself. Be sure to check out Lynn’s gluten-free Oatmeal Pumpkin Magic Bars which gives yet another spin on the classic recipe.
If you prepare this recipe, be sure to take a picture and hashtag it #GOODCHEAPEATS. I can't wait to see what you cook up!
Recipe for Magic Bars Variations
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup butter
- 1 1/2 cup graham cracker crumbs or cookie or pretzel crumbs
- 1 cup chocolate chips or other baking chips: milk, white, semisweet, dark, cinnamon, butterscotch, peanut butter, espresso
- 1/2 cup dried fruit or spread, such as jam or Nutella
- 1 cup chopped nuts or seeds
- 1 14-ounce can sweetened, condensed milk
- 1 cup shredded coconut sweetened or unsweetened
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°.
- Melt the butter in a 9x13-inch baking dish. Add the crumbs and stir. Pat the butter and crumb mixture into the bottom of the pan.
- Sprinkle the baking chips or candies across the crumb layer.
- Sprinkle the dried fruit, if using, over the baking chips. If using spread, dollop it around.
- Sprinkle the nuts over the fruit.
- Drizzle the sweetened condensed milk over the surface.
- Sprinkle the coconut over the top.
- Bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until golden. Cool completely on a rack and cut into squares.
Notes
Nutrition
Kathleen M says
How funny that you post this right after I pulled magic bars out of the oven. I had a can of sc milk and though I want magic bars but I hate coconut. I ended up layering graham crackers with pretzels, choc chips, peanuts, and marshmallows.
Jessica Fisher says
How did the marshmallows do? I remember those from childhood but wondered if baking that long would burn them.
Kathleen D says
Yes they did turn out rather toasty and I didn’t cook them as long as it should have been.
Lizzy says
“Digestives… like graham crackers, but better.” Amen.
Alice says
Hey Jessica! What would you recommend as a substitute for coconut for these Magic Bars? I would love to try them, but unfortunately I’m allergic to coconut.
Jessica Fisher says
You can omit it. We tested it last month when one of my boys mentioned he doesn’t like coconut. Worked well and still super yummy.