Magic Cookie Bars – Gooey, Crunchy, and Irresistibly Easy!

Introduction

Get ready to fall in love with every layer of these Magic Cookie Bars — a buttery graham cracker crust topped with sweetened condensed milk, chocolate chips, coconut flakes, and crunchy nuts. These bars come together like magic (hence the name) — no mixer, no fuss, and just one pan. Whether you know them as 7-layer bars or Hello Dolly bars, one thing’s for sure: they’re crowd-pleasers from first bite to last crumb.

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🍽️ Servings & Time

• Yield: 16 bars
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Bake Time: 25–30 minutes
• Cool Time: 1 hour
• Total Time: ~1 hour 40 minutes

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🛒 Ingredients

Crust:

• 1 ½ cups graham cracker crumbs
• ½ cup unsalted butter, melted

Toppings:

• 1 (14 oz) can sweetened condensed milk
• 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 1 cup shredded sweetened coconut
• ½ cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)
• ½ cup butterscotch chips (optional but delicious)

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🧑‍🍳 Equipment Needed

• 9×9 or 9×13 inch baking dish
• Mixing bowl
• Spatula or spoon
• Parchment paper (recommended)
• Knife for slicing

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🍳 Instructions

1. Preheat & Prep Pan:

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking dish with parchment paper, leaving an overhang for easy removal.

2. Make the Crust:

Combine graham cracker crumbs and melted butter in a bowl. Press evenly into the bottom of the baking dish to form the crust.

3. Layer the Magic:

Pour sweetened condensed milk evenly over the crust. Then layer with chocolate chips, butterscotch chips, coconut, and nuts. Press down gently with a spatula.

4. Bake:

Bake for 25–30 minutes until edges are golden and the top is slightly bubbly.

5. Cool & Slice:

Let cool completely in the pan, then chill for 30–60 minutes before slicing into squares.

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🔁 Variations

• Nut-Free: Skip the nuts or sub with crushed pretzels for crunch.
• Dairy-Free: Use coconut condensed milk and vegan chips.
• Holiday Version: Add crushed peppermint candy or red/green M&Ms.

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🧊 Storage Tips

• Room Temp: Store in airtight container for 3–4 days.
• Fridge: Keeps for up to a week if chilled.
• Freeze: Freeze individually wrapped bars for up to 2 months.

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❓ Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a different crust?
Yes! Try crushed Oreos, shortbread cookies, or even gingersnaps.

Do I have to use butterscotch chips?
Nope — they’re optional! You can mix and match with peanut butter chips, white chocolate, or caramel chunks.

Why press the toppings down?
It helps everything stick together and creates a nice, even bar.