Most years, I’ve made dozens of Christmas cookies by this point, but not this year. I simply haven’t had the time.
Chances are you’re pretty busy too. That’s why I know you’ll love one of my favorite Christmas cookie recipes – Seven Layer Bars.
This recipe is so quick and easy to make – you just layer all the ingredients in a baking pan, then bake for 25-30 minutes. That’s it!
Best of all, Seven Layer Bars are mouthwateringly delicious with chewy chocolate, butterscotch, coconut, graham, and more. There’s seven layers so seven ingredients after all!
What you’ll need for Seven Layer Bars:
- 1/2 (1 stick) butter or margarine
- 1 cup graham crackers crumbs
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1 cup butterscotch chips
- 1 cup shredded coconut
- 1 cup of chopped walnuts
- 1 (14 oz) can of sweetened condensed milk
*Note: if you don’t like coconut, just leave it out – no big deal! It will just be 6 Layer Bars!
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Melt the butter and pour in a 13x9x2″ pan. It should just cover the bottom of the pan.
Sprinkle the 1 cup of graham cracker crumbs evenly over the butter.
Sprinkle the chocolate chips and butterscotch chips over the graham layer.
Next, sprinkle on the coconut…
…and walnuts.
Lastly, pour the sweetened condensed milk evenly over everything.
Bake for 25-30 minutes until the edges are just turning golden brown.
Cool your Seven Layer Bars completely (if you can resist waiting that long) and cut into bars.
And there you have it – quick and easy Seven Layer Bars!
Prep Time:
Yield:
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PinDescription
A Christmas cookie plate isn’t complete without these deliciously sweet cookie bars.
Ingredients
- 1/2 (1 stick) butter or margarine
- 1 cup graham crackers crumbs
- 1 cup chocolate chips
- 1 cup butterscotch chips
- 1 cup shredded coconut*
- 1 cup chopped walnuts
- 1 (14 oz) can of sweetened condensed milk
- *Note: You can leave out the coconut if you’re not a fan
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.
- Melt the butter and pour evenly into a 9x13x2” pan. (It will just barely cover the bottom.) Spread graham crackers crumbs over the butter. Sprinkle the butterscotch & chocolate chips over next. Then sprinkle the coconut and walnuts on.
- Lastly, pour the sweetened condensed milk over the top, evenly covering everything.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes or until the edges begin to turn golden brown.
- Cool completely and cut into bars.
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Danielle says
Oh if only I had graham cracker crumbs on hand!! These are my favorite but I’ve never figured out how to make them (for fear I’d eat them all!).
Emily says
Looks so yummy! Perfect for a holiday treat.
Pam says
I used to love these! I haven’t made them in a while though. Thanks for helping me remember to make a batch. 🙂 Yum.
Alexis Mobley says
I’ve had these “YEARS” ago and never forgot them, there taste and wanting more. Thank you for posting this recipe. I have most of the ingredients at home. For such a time as this!!!! I’m not crazy about nuts, I’m going to try stick pretzels and add a few raisins or craisins!! Can’t wait…floating home soon to be creative!!
★★★★★
Janet says
Did you try the pretzels, and how did that work out? Thanks
Effy says
I used pretzels instead of walnuts – my son is allergic – and they are delicious!!!
mel says
These look absolutely amazing!! I want to make them!
Jillian says
Those sounds awesome!! *drool*
Keara B. says
Holy cow, this looks delicious! Thanks for sharing. 🙂
Elaine Lund says
MMMMM! I haven’t had these in years!
Julie says
Do you think it would taste, or even come out right if I lefts out some, or all of the butterscotch chips and used mini marshmallows instead? I’m not sure if unit would be damp enough because that would be missing a melted ingredient.
Erika says
That sounds like a fun idea. I’d try it – it might be a little more crumbly and less “gooey”, but your idea will taste delicious!
Teresa Little says
I use peanut butter chips instead of butterscotch chips and leave coconut out
Julie says
* I’m sorry, I wish this had edit. I need to learn to proofread before posting.
*left *recipe
Linda says
Not enough graham cracker crumbs. Maybe should have been 1-1/2 cups??
Ashley says
I just made them… I felt like most of the amounts weren’t enough, or a 13×9 pan was too big.
Erika says
I’m sorry it didn’t turn out as you hoped, Ashley. I use a 9×13″ pan because the recipe is quite rich and results in a thinner bar. You could try an 8 or 9″ square baking pan for thicker results.
Erika says
Why was 1 cup not enough, Linda? I’m curious because I have made this exact recipe for years without any issues. Hopefully it still tasted delicious for you! 🙂
Triish says
Your recipe calls for 1/2 C. of graham crackers. I just use one sleeve. Seems to be enough. So tasty!
Erika says
That works too, Trish. Glad you love the recipe!
Kim says
You keep saying 1c graham cracker crumbs but everywhere in your recipe says 1/2c… maybe it needs a quick edit 🙂
Erika says
The recipe has been updated to 1 cup of graham cracker crumbs. 🙂
Rhonda says
I tried this in a 9×13 dish. It never really hardened up. Was 1 stick of butter correct? It is a little greasy.
Erika says
Yes, it is a 9×13 dish and 1 stick of butter. You need to let it cool completely if you don’t want the bars to fall apart. I’ve never considered these seven layers bars to be ‘greasy’ but to each her own. 🙂
Lisa says
I am making them right now and have only done the butter and graham cracker crumb step and there is not enough graham cracker crumbs for the 1 stick of butter ratio for 9×13 pan. Mine looks nothing like your pic so I got on here to check the comments. I guess I will be adding more crumbs. My daughter loves these and I am sure they will turn out delicious!
Erika says
This is so strange, Lisa, because I just made this recipe a couple days ago using these exact measurements and it was just fine. You don’t have to pat the graham cracker crumbs in – just sprinkle it evenly over the butter and continue layering with the other ingredients. It will all stick together and turn out delicious! Thanks for your feedback!
Vicky Wellwood says
Your picture and recipe doesn’t match- it looks like you put the nuts after the sweetened condensed milk?
Erika says
A slight oversight with the photos. You can do it either way and it will taste the same, Vicky. 🙂
Elizabeth Fuimaono says
I love how easy and simple you made this recipe for me to follow. I was very impressed! I made it over the weekend and it turned out great! Although, I bought dark chocolate chips by accident and was worried that it would change the flavor but it actually lessened the sweetness and was perfect after all . Thank you so much for sharing this recipe.
★★★★★
Erika says
I love the idea of using dark chocolate chips. Yum!
Lori says
Once when I made these, I didn’t have any butterscotch chips, so I sprinkled on some toffee chips and during baking they melted and made the bars kind of “carmelly” and really yummy!
★★★★★
Erika says
That sounds delicious, Lori. Great idea!
Liz says
I wonder if this is the delicious cookie bar that my Grandma and all the other sweet little old ladies at her church makes. I went there for a funeral a couple weeks ago and I can’t get the experience of the little bar out of my head. There was a chocolate one and a prune I think one. OH MY GOODNESS THEY ARE INCREDIBLE, I will have to try yours out and see I could’ve sworn those had oats or something in them.
Heidi says
Definitely needs more graham cracker crumbs like other people said!
Erika says
The recipe has been updated to 1 cup of graham cracker crumbs. 🙂
Linda Ogden says
I love these and make them every year, but get a bit frustrated with the bars sticking to the pan. Do you use wax paper? Metal pan better than a g,ass pan?
Erika says
I would use parchment paper to prevent sticking. Good luck!
ListsForAll.com says
Hey Erika,
Great job with these 7 Layer Bars. Just wanted to let you know that we added them to our new list of the Best Dessert Recipes https://www.listsforall.com/best-dessert-recipes/ I am sure our readers are really going to enjoy this recipe as much as we do.
Keep up the good work!
★★★★★
Esther says
I made these using Nut Topping (ice cream topping) instead of coconut flakes. One graham cracker sleeve is the perfect amount. These were amazing! Thanks for the recipe!
★★★★★
Amanda says
Is a metal pan required?? Mine came out super soft and smooshy. Yours looks well intact ..
★★★★
Erika says
Hi Amanda, no, I usually use glass actually. What type of pan did you use?
Carla says
Not a fan of coconut could these be made without it
Erika says
yes, just leave the coconut out and you’ll have 6 layer bars!
Regina says
Any chance you know how long they stay fresh? I want to make them in advance for a party….?
Erika says
Hi Regina, ours lasted for a good 6 days covered in a container before they started to taste a bit stale.