This sweet treat of chocolate, nuts, butterscotch, and coconut will leave you in seventh heaven!
If you’re not a pie person and you want to make a dessert that stands out for the holidays, seven-layer bars are the way to go! Dubbing them “Magic Squares,” my aunt brings these every time she comes to town for Christmas, with a couple extra batches to satisfy both her nuclear family and the rest of us. She even keeps some in the freezer so we can pace ourselves and not eat them all at once! Yeah, they’re that good.
With a balance of ooey gooey, chocolatey filling, crunchy nuts, and a flaky graham cracker crust, seven-layer bars have a uniquely decadent flavor and texture. Plus, they’re so sweet, it makes a satisfying ending to a savory holiday meal like ham or turkey and potatoes. Even if you’re not preparing these for the holidays, they make perfect little treats to enjoy throughout the week. Just make sure you keep some frozen to serve later!
Are Seven-Layer Bars Healthy?
Seven-layer bars are definitely not healthy. This is one of the most sugary desserts you can make, and it’s not low-fat either. To make it gluten-free, simply use gluten-free graham crackers or oat flakes instead of graham crackers. You can also make it vegan by using plant-based chocolate chips, replacing regular butter with dairy-free butter, and exchanging the sweetened condensed milk for coconut condensed milk. Keep in mind, this might change the texture a bit, but shouldn’t sacrifice the overall flavor.
Magic Tricks To Make The Best Seven-Layer Bars
First of all, we need to make sure the crust is well-packed to prevent it from crumbling. Then, it’s important to make sure each layer is evenly distributed so that there’s a nice balance of flavors and textures. When pouring the condensed milk, add it slowly and gently, and make sure it covers the ingredients well. While it bakes, keep an eye on it (making use of the oven light) to avoid over-browning the coconut flakes. Once it’s done baking, let it cool completely before cutting so that it doesn’t ooze all over the place. I know, that last step is a tough one, but it’ll be worth the wait!
INGREDIENTS
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
- Pinch of kosher salt
- 1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
- 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
- 1 cup butterscotch chips
- 1/2 cup chopped walnuts
- 1/2 cup chopped pecans
- 1 can (14 ounces) sweetened condensed milk (8-9% milkfat)
- 1 1/4 cups shredded or flaked coconut
INSTRUCTIONS
Prepare
Preheat oven and make graham cracker mixture.
Layer
Add graham cracker mixture, chips, nuts, milk, and coconut in layers.
Bake
Cook until golden and let cool.
Devour!
FAQs & Tips
Simply slide your pre-cut bars into a freezer-safe bag. Place a sheet of parchment paper between each layer of bars (if you have that many) so they don’t stick together. Be careful to keep them flat and don’t store anything on top of them. They can be frozen for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight or for a few hours before eating cold. To warm them up, bake them in the oven at 350°F for 5 to 10 minutes. Believe it or not, leftovers sometimes taste even better than fresh, so enjoy!
For easy removal once they’re cooled, make sure to line your baking pan with parchment paper that folds over the edges so you can grab and lift it. This also makes it much easier to clean the pan!
As if this dessert couldn’t get any sweeter, you can add even more flavor and texture to the mix with a layer of raisins or dates between the chocolate chips and nuts.
Serving Suggestions
Enjoy these sweet and succulent squares with a scoop of Coconut Milk “Egg Nog” Ice Cream, or serve with a glass of Homemade Caramel Vanilla Iced Coffee or a warm mug of Vegan Hot Chocolate. Make a dazzling dessert spread for the holidays by serving seven-layer bars alongside Pecan Pie Cobbler, Butternut Squash Pie, and Pumpkin Pie Pinwheel Bites.
Seven-Layer Bars
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter melted
- Pinch of kosher salt
- 1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
- 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
- 1 cup butterscotch chips
- 1/2 cup chopped walnuts
- 1/2 cup chopped pecans
- 1 can (14 ounces) sweetened condensed milk (8-9% milkfat)
- 1 1/4 cups shredded or flaked coconut
Instructions
-
Preheat the oven to 350°F.
-
In a medium bowl, combine the melted butter with the salt and graham cracker crumbs. The texture should resemble wet sand. If it seems too dry, add 1 teaspoon more of melted butter at a time, as needed.
-
Spread the mixture evenly into a greased 9×13-inch baking pan and press it down.
-
Layer chocolate chips, butterscotch chips, pecans, and walnuts over the graham cracker layer. Pour condensed milk over everything in an even layer.
-
Sprinkle the coconut on top and bake in the preheated oven for about 25 to 30 minutes or until lightly golden.
-
Allow the bars to cool to room temperature, then place in the refrigerator until chilled and set. Cut into squares and serve.
Nutrition
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