7-Layer Magic Cookie Bars

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These 7-Layer Magic Cookie Bars are the show-stopping cookie of the holidays. With just 7 ingredients, they are fun for the whole family to make and eat! They're truly a cookie that anyone can master and are so delicious. We also give you ways to customize them too!

These 7-Layer Magic Cookie Bars are the hit of every holiday party we host. My family loves to make these on our cookie baking day each year in December. They're so easy to make with just 7 ingredients.

Each year we customize these cookie bars with different nuts, chocolate chips, holiday candies and sprinkles. These are so easy for kids to help with too since they are easy to layer and bake perfectly.

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These chewy, and gooey treats also store well and can be made a day in advance for a party, making entertaining a breeze. There's so much to love about these 7-layer cookie bars!

If you love a sweet treat, so do we! Give our Mini Cheesecake Bites, Ritz Cracker Cookies, and Krispie Date Balls a try.

Table of Contents

Why You'll Love this Recipe

7-Ingredient cookie. These magic layer bars are truly magic! With just a handful of easy to find ingredients, you have a bakery-style cookie that is insanely delicious.
No difficult prep, just layering ingredients! These bars are assembled in just 15 minutes before they're baked. There's not much mixing or equipment required, just layer and bake.
Fun for the whole family. These bars are the perfect holiday recipe that the whole family can help make and master perfectly. They're a foolproof cookie recipe our family makes every single year.

Ingredients

Scroll Down for Ingredient Amounts Listed in the Recipe Card Below

Graham cracker crumbs: You can buy regular graham crackers and blend them in the food processor or buy the crumbs already ground.
Salted butter: Moistens the graham cracker crumbs to make the crust.
Sweetened condensed milk: Binds all of the layers together and sweetens the bars too.
Semisweet chocolate chips: Adds that nice chocolatey flavor but isn't overwhelming.
Butterscotch chips or white chocolate chips: Choose your favorite here, we love the caramel flavor butterscotch adds or the vanilla sweetness of the white chocolate.
Shredded coconut (sweetened or unsweetened): We prefer sweetened shredded coconut to add a little finishing touch as well as texture.
Chopped nuts (walnuts, pecans, or almonds): Choose your favorite, they add crunch and richness to each bite.
Optional festive topping: You can top with something decorative for the holiday season. We recommend a holiday candy, such as M&M’s, chopped candy bars or sprinkles.

Tools You'll Need

How to Make 7-Layer Magic Cookie Bars

Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease or line a 13x9-inch baking pan with parchment paper.
For Layer 1, in a medium bowl, combine graham cracker crumbs and melted butter. Mix until well combined. Press the mixture evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking pan.

Pressing a graham cracker crust in a pan.

Layer Ingredients 2-6: Pour the sweetened condensed milk over the crust and spread evenly. Sprinkle chocolate chips over the condensed milk. Add the butterscotch chips (or white chocolate chips). Sprinkle on shredded coconut. Finally, add chopped nuts on top.

The layers of 7 layer magic cookie bars.

Bake 30-35 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and the center is set. Remove from the oven, and if adding a festive holiday topping (Layer 7), immediately sprinkle over the top.

Adding sprinkles to the top of 7 layer magic cookie bars.

Allow the bars to cool in the pan for at least 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely. Once cooled, cut into squares or bars.

Expert Tips

Layer the ingredients correctly. This is essential if you want the bars to set and ingredients to adhere. This ensures the bars don't fall apart when they are cut.
Customize the layers to your liking. You can choose your favorite nut, butterscotch chips or white chocolate chips, and add any fun holiday candies or sprinkles to make these festive.
Line the baking dish with parchment paper for easy cutting. When you line the baking dish after greasing, you can simply lift out the magic cookie bars once they have cooled a bit for easy removal that doesn't damage the cookies.
Use the bottom of a drinking glass to spread the crust evenly. This is a pro baking tip, if you use the bottom of a water glass to pat the graham cracker crust into the baking dish, it makes an even layer that also allows the bars to bake evenly. You can also press with your hand in a plastic bag or gloved.

Storage

Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days. These are also perfect to make ahead too for a party or holiday festivities. They store beautifully.

You can also freeze these bars well too. We recommend wrapping them in plastic in individual servings then freezing for up to 2 months.

FAQs

Why are they called magic cookie bars?

Because they are so easy to make. You simply layer the ingredients and bake without any heavy mixing or scooping.

Why are my magic cookie bars not staying together?

You may have layered the ingredients incorrectly. Be sure the sweetened condensed milk goes over the graham cracker layer to help everything adhere.

Do you need to refrigerate 7 layer bars?

You can store them in the fridge or at room temperature. They will last either way for 3 to 4 days.

Why are my magic cookie bars raw in the center?

Check your oven temperature and continue to bake until the center has set correctly. Allow the bars to cool completely before slicing and serving so they can set.

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