Original Magic Bar Recipe - 7 Layer Bars with Variations (2024)

No matter how you layer them, these classic Magic Cookie Bars are addictive. Most often they are layered with a graham cracker crust, sweetened condensed milk, chocolate chips, and sometimes butterscotch, or even a combination of them, coconut and nuts.

If you Google looking for 7 Layer Bar recipes, most of what you will find are bars listing these five basic layers - though many do also add another layer of butterscotch chips - yet they all seem to count the graham crackers and butter as individual layers.

Some recipes do melt the butter, and then simply pour the graham crackers on top, rather than mixing and pressing them in, so I guess that's one way to consider them separate layers. Others layer the bars differently, adding the coconut right on top of the graham crackers, some chips and then the coconut, and pouring the sweetened condensed cream on the very top. I really don't think that the order of the layers much matters to be honest.

At any rate, this recipe is the one that I believe to be the original Magic Bar recipe, of which that 7 Layer Bar recipe was apparently birthed. Far as I know, the bars made their debut as Magic Bars on the Eagle brand condensed milk label sometime in the early 1960s, so it is another retro recipe that has been around for many years and has definitely become a holiday tradition, with a multitude of variations.

There are some vintage recipes that call for a cornflake cereal crust, apparently coming along sometime in the 70s, but there are disputes, as always, as to which actually came first, graham crackers or cornflakes. Somebody will argue both sides I assure you. The solution is real simple. Use the one you prefer! The measurement is exactly the same.

No matter the crust you choose, or how you layer them, a graham cracker and butter crust makes the first layer, topped with sweetened condensed milk, chocolate chips, or a mixture of butterscotch and chocolate chips, a layer of coconut, finished off with pecans, and then baked. Truly, anything after that is just lagniappe for a bar that is already just dreamy.

Everyone seems to layer these differently, so it can make for a sticky cookie bar. A layer of aluminum foil or parchment paper in the bottom of the pan is helpful.

I found that a lot of people know these Hello Dollies, a name that appears to have come from a 1965 magazine called "The Week" that featured a recipe submitted by young 11-year old Alecia Leigh Couch of Dallas, Texas, called Hello Dolly Cake, that contained these same basic five ingredients. Alecia said that the recipe was from her grandma, though it appears that an Oklahoma newspaper had earlier that same year, already published Hello dolly Cookies, with similar ingredients.1

The recipe is also known by a number of other names beside 7-Layer Bars, including 7-Layer Cookies, Chewy Delights, Chocolate Graham Squares, Graham Chips Squares, Washington Cookies, and of course, Magic Bars, and carries a multitude of variations now. Make the white chocolate variation with dried cranberries for Christmas and drizzle the top with raspberry jam.

I have tried a variety of other people's ways of making these, including using foil (it stuck), pouring the condensed milk over the top of everything instead of the crust (crust didn't set, completely changed the texture of the bars as they were too messy and gooey) and I just find that the way I originally made them to be the best way. They are rich, so serve in smaller cuts!

What variations do you love?

For more of my favorite cookies and bars, pop over to my Pinterest page!

Original Magic Bar Recipe - 7 Layer Bars with Variations (2)If you make this or any of my recipes, I'd love to see your results! Just snap a photo and hashtag it #DeepSouthDish on social media or tag me @deepsouthdish on Instagram!

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Original Magic Bar Recipe - 7 Layer Bars with Variations (2024)

FAQs

Where did 7 layer bars come from? ›

The History of Seven-Layer Cookies

Alecia Leigh Couch, an 11-year-old from Dallas, Texas, submitted her grandmother's recipe for these bars to The Week magazine in 1965, while the Evening News of Ada, Oklahoma also published a similar recipe earlier that year.

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.

Why is it called a magic bar? ›

As for “Magic Bar,” the name likely stems from Eagle Brand Sweetened Condensed Milk, who published a recipe for these dessert cookie bars on the back of their condensed milk cans in 1964. Maybe it got its name from how magically easy they are to make!

How do you cut magic cookie bars? ›

Like with other desserts, first bake your bars in a pan lined with non-stick foil. Chill your bars before lifting them with the foil and placing them on a cutting board. Slice, cleaning the knife after each slice. You may also spray the clean knife with cooking spray if they are still sticking.

Who invented the 7 layer dip? ›

In 1982, Peggy Shoop, a resident of Grapevine, Texas, adapted a dish that transformed the history of party food. She took a recipe for a dip she found in Southern Living that layered sour cream, guacamole, salsa, and cheese, and added her own additions—refried beans and jalapeños. A classic was born.

Why are they called Hello Dollies? ›

If you do a little research you will find this was a really popular household recipe in the 60s. During that time there was a musical called Hello Dolly. Supposedly that's the story.

How much money does Dolly Parton make from Dollywood? ›

Does Dolly Parton make money from Dollywood? Dolly Parton does indeed make money from Dollywood, her namesake theme park in East Tennessee. She reportedly owns a 50% stake in the park, which Forbes estimates is worth $165 million for the singer.

What does Dolly Parton put in her eggs? ›

Parton said she always adds some ice water to her pan of scrambled eggs. "Put a few drops of ice water as you're cooking them and that makes them fluffier," she said.

How much money does Dolly Parton own? ›

With a net worth of $650 million, Parton's wealth is a testament to her multifaceted career spanning music, acting, songwriting, and business ventures. Dolly Parton's 'Purple Rain' Cover Is the Unexpected Prince Tribute You Need to Hear.

How many cigarettes is a magic bar equivalent to? ›

Equivalent to approximately 20 cigarettes.

What is an elf bar? ›

Elf Bar is an electronic cigarette brand manufactured by the Chinese firm iMiracle Shenzhen (iMiracle HK in the United Kingdom). Also sold as EBDesign and EBCreate, the vapes are characterized by their fruity flavors and colorful appearance.

What are Hello dollies made of? ›

The base is a graham cracker crust. That's topped with a layer of chocolate chips and pecans, followed by lots of sweetened shredded coconut (don't think of going with unsweetened here, that's not the style of these bars.) The whole thing is drizzled with condensed milk.

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.

How many bars does a 9x13 pan make? ›

For a 13×9 Pan:

On the long side of the pan, make a mark and cut down every 2 1/10-inches, so you have 6 columns. Turn the pan to its shorter side and make one cut down the middle, 4 ½-inches from the edge. You'll end up with 12 2 1/10×4 ½-inch rectangles.

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.

Do they make graham cracker crumbs? ›

You can also purchase graham cracker crumbs in most grocery stores in the baking aisle.

How many calories are in a 7 layer bar? ›

Charlotte's
Nutrition Facts
For a Serving Size of 0.5 square (50g)
How many calories are in 7 Layer Bar? Amount of calories in 7 Layer Bar: Calories 220Calories from Fat 117 (53.2%)
% Daily Value *
How much fat is in 7 Layer Bar? Amount of fat in 7 Layer Bar: Total Fat 13g-
16 more rows

How many graham crackers in one and a half cups? ›

For an 8-in pie dish, you'll need 1 1/2 cups (150 g) graham cracker crumbs (about 10 – 12 full sheet graham crackers) + 1/3 cup (75 g) of melted butter + 1/4 cup (50 g) of sugar.

What is bar in pastry? ›

Dessert bars or simply bars or squares are a type of American "bar cookie" that has the texture of a firm cake or softer than usual cookie. They are prepared in a pan and then baked in the oven. They are cut into squares or rectangles.

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