Hello Dollies (7-Layer Bars or Magic bars)
Hello Dollies – Whether you call them Hello Dollies, 7-Layer Bars, or Magic Bars, this decadent retro dessert is the perfect sweet treat!
Today, I’m popping in with a yummy retro treat: Hello Dollies!
You may know Hello Dollies by their other nicknames–Seven Layer Bars, Hello Dolly Bars, or Magic Bars. No matter what name you call them, these little bars are such a yummy, decadent treat!
Plus, this easy dessert couldn’t be simpler to make! Here’s what goes into them…
WHAT ARE THE LAYERS IN HELLO DOLLIES?
If you’ve ever wondered “what are the layers in magic bars?,” it’s pretty straight forward! Whether you call these treats hello dollies, 7-layer bars, or magic bars, the ingredients follow the same pattern. You’ll be adding seven ingredients (in order):
- Butter
- Crushed Graham Crackers (these are nice)
- Sweetened Shredded Coconut (like this)
- Semi Sweet Chocolate Chips (like these)
- Butterscotch Chips (like these)
- Chopped Nuts (pecans, almonds, or walnuts are popular) and
- Sweetened Condensed Milk (full fat, like this, works best for this recipe)
Each ingredient is added one at a time (which is how they get the 7-layer bars nickname), and though it’ll kind of look like one big mess when you pop them in the oven, the flavors are incredible and they come out looking caramel-y, chocolatey, and golden like magic (which is how they get their magic bars nickname!).
FAQ + TIPS FOR PERFECT HELLO DOLLIES
ARE HELLO DOLLIES THE SAME THING AS MAGIC BARS OR 7-LAYER BARS? Yes! They’re all different nicknames for the same type of dessert.
CAN YOU LAYER THE INGREDIENTS IN DIFFERENT ORDER? I’ve found that as long as you get the base layer (the butter + graham crackers) FIRST and the top layer (sweetened condensed milk) LAST, it’s ok if you accidentally add the chocolate chips, coconut, or nuts in a different order.
CUT THEM SMALL-ISH. These 7-layer bars are very decadent little treats! Although they look, smell, and taste incredible, they are very rich, and if you eat a huge one, it will feel like too much. Don’t ruin it for yourself! (You can always go back for seconds!) Cut them into bite-sized bars or squares for best results.
A TIP FOR GETTING THEM OUT OF THE PAN. As soon as your hello dollies come out of the oven, run a knife around the edges to help pull the cookies away from the baking dish. Otherwise, they might stick and then they won’t come out beautifully. I also cut them into squares when they’re still ooey gooey and hot. It makes things easier later.
CAN YOU MAKE HELLO DOLLIES GLUTEN FREE? You bet! To make gluten free magic bars, you’ll just want to use gluten free graham crackers.
CAN YOU MAKE DAIRY FREE MAGIC MARS? Yes! I’ve done them with vegan butter and coconut sweetened condensed milk (I get it at Sprouts), and used dairy free chocolate chips & butterscotch or white chocolate chips.
CRAVING MORE TREATS? YOU MIGHT LIKE:
- Flourless Monster Cookie Bars
- Cinnamon Churro Popcorn
- Fluffy Puffy Butterscotch Cookies
- The BEST Gluten Free Brownies
HELPUL FOR THIS RECIPE:
Hello Dollies (7-Layer Bars or Magic Bars)
- Total Time: About 35 minutes
- Yield: 15 Bars 1x
Description
Hello Dollies – Whether you call them Hello Dollies, 7-Layer Bars, or Magic Bars, this decadent retro dessert bars are great treats to share!
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter
- 1 cup graham cracker crumbs (about 1 sleeve crushed)*
- 1 cup sweetened flaked coconut
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1 cup butterscotch chips
- 1 cup chopped nuts (I use almonds, but any kind really will work)
- 1 small (14-ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
- Place the butter in a glass or ceramic 9×13″ pan, and put it in the oven for 2-3 minutes to melt.
- Remove from oven and add graham cracker crumbs. Stir to coat the graham cracker crumbs in the. melted butter and pat down to create the graham cracker crust base layer.
- Sprinkle coconut flakes, then chocolate chips, butterscotch chips, and chopped nuts over the graham cracker layer.
- Drizzle the sweetened condensed milk over the top.
- Bake at 350 for 25-30 minutes, or until the condensed milk has soaked into the bars and the edges are golden.
- Run a knife around the edges of pan while still warm to prevent cookies from sticking to edges. Slice into small squares while still warm.
- Store leftover hello dolly bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator 3-4 days for best results.
I slice these into 15 squares by creating three rows lengthwise down the long side of the pan and then 5 short horizontal rows along the short side of the pan. They are pretty rich, so if you prefer, you can cut each of those squares into two rectangles.
Notes
*You can use gluten free graham crackers as needed! I like Kinnikinnik, Nairns, and Pamela’s brands.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 32 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Cookies
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: Hello Dollies, 7 Layer Bars, Seven Layer Bars, Magic Bars, Magic Cookie Bars
What kind of almonds are used in the hello dollies? Natural or roasted and salted? I haven’t had these in years.
Thank you
Sandy – Sorry for the confusion. I use raw (natural) almonds rather than roasted and salted :