7 Layer Bars Recipe

Name: 7 Layer Bars Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 35 min
Ingredients: 1½ cups graham cracker crumbs; ½ cup unsalted butter, (melted); 1 (14-ounce) can sweetened condensed milk; ½ cup semisweet chocolate chips; ½ cup milk chocolate chips; 1 cup butterscotch chips; 1 cup shredded coconut; 1 cup chopped pecans

7 Layer Bars Ingredients and Substitutions
How to Make 7 Layer Bars
7 Layer Bars Recipe Recipe
Recipe FAQ
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We have a lot of go-to desserts we often whip up for parties and get-togethers! Many of those happen to be bars – like our FAVORITE 7 layer bars recipe.

They go by many names, but this dessert is one our mom first made for us when we were kids. We’ve been making them ever since because they have so many of our favorite ingredients.

These bars start with a Graham Cracker Crust, a smooth milky layer, 2 types of chocolate chips, butterscotch chips, coconut, and a top layer of chopped pecans. Heaven, right? We know you’ll love them too!

For more easy and delicious dessert bars, check out our Snickerdoodle Bars, No Bake Chocolate Oat Bars, and Almond Toffee Bars.

Why we think you’ll love it:

Quick and easy. Simply layer and bake! This cookie bar recipe is ready in only about 30 minutes.
Simple ingredients. These ingredients are all items we usually have on hand, so we can bake a pan almost anytime – great for last-minute company.
A big batch. These make a 9×13 pan, perfect for feeding the entire crew and friends!

Ingredients for 7 layer bars recipe on a kitchen counter.

7 Layer Bars Ingredients and Substitutions

1½ cups graham cracker crumbs – Make crumbs using 7-8 graham cracker sheets and crush them into crumbs using a food processor or even a rolling pin.
½ cup unsalted butter, melted
1 (14-ounce) can sweetened condensed milk – Make sure to use sweetened condensed milk and NOT evaporated milk or other types of milk.
½ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
½ cup milk chocolate chips
1 cup butterscotch chips – or peanut butter chips
1 cup shredded coconut – We use sweetened coconut flakes, but unsweetened works as well.
1 cup chopped pecans – or use different types of nuts like chopped walnuts, peanuts, or almonds

Pressing a graham cracker crust into a baking dish.

Adding chips and sweetened condensed milk layer to the crust.

How to Make 7 Layer Bars

PREP. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray and set aside.
LAYER. In a medium bowl, combine graham cracker crumbs and melted butter. Pour into the prepared baking dish and press evenly over the bottom.
- Pour sweetened condensed milk evenly over the graham cracker layer.
- Sprinkle the semisweet chocolate chips, milk chocolate chips, and butterscotch chips in an even layer.
- Sprinkle on the coconut and top it with a layer of chopped pecans.
BAKE. Use a fork to firmly press down all the layers. Bake for 25 minutes. Cool completely in the pan, then cut into squares, rectangles, or diamonds for serving.

Kristyn’s Recipe Tips

We found that if we gently press down each layer, it helps the layers adhere to each other during baking and prevents them from separating too much when cooled and cut.
To make it easier to remove and cut perfect slices, we line the baking pan with parchment paper.
Use sweetened condensed milk and allow time for the bars to set completely; otherwise, it may simply ooze out when you cut the bars.
Sometimes we add an 8th layer using festive holiday sprinkles, mini M&Ms, mini marshmallows, toffee bits, crushed pretzels, or a Caramel Sauce drizzle.

7 layer bars recipe squares stacked on a white plate.

5 from 56 votes

7 Layer Bars Recipe

By: Kristyn Merkley

This homemade 7 layer bars recipe is rich, gooey, and loaded with chocolate, coconut, and nuts for the ultimate, easy dessert!

Servings: 15

Prep: 10

Cook: 25

Total: 35

Equipment

Ingredients

▢ 1½ cups graham cracker crumbs
▢ ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
▢ 1 (14-ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
▢ ½ cup semisweet chocolate chips
▢ ½ cup milk chocolate chips
▢ 1 cup butterscotch chips
▢ 1 cup shredded coconut
▢ 1 cup chopped pecans

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 350°F. Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray and set aside.
In a medium bowl, combine graham cracker crumbs and melted butter. Pour into the prepared baking dish and press evenly over the bottom.
Pour sweetened condensed milk evenly over the graham cracker layer.
Sprinkle chocolate chips in an even layer, then do the same with butterscotch chips.
Next, sprinkle on coconut, and top it with a layer of chopped pecans.
Use a fork to firmly press down all the layers. Bake for 25 minutes.
Cool completely in the pan, then cut into squares, rectangles, or diamonds for serving.

Video

Notes

Recipe tips.

We found that if we gently press down each layer, it helps the layers adhere to each other during baking and prevents them from separating too much when cooled and cut.
Lining the baking pan with parchment paper will make it easier to remove and cut even slices.
Use sweetened condensed milk and allow time for the bars to set completely; otherwise, it may simply ooze out when you cut the bars.
Add an 8th layer using festive holiday sprinkles, mini M&Ms, mini marshmallows, toffee bits, crushed pretzels, or a Caramel Sauce drizzle.

Make ahead of time. These can be made in advance and stored, covered tightly with plastic wrap, on the counter for up to 3 days. To reheat, just place in the microwave for about 15 seconds.

Store. Place the bars in an airtight container for 3-5 days or in the fridge for up to a week.

Freeze. Wrap each bar with plastic wrap and place them in a freezer Ziploc for about 3 months. Thaw before eating.

Nutrition

Serving: 1bar, Calories: 280kcal, Carbohydrates: 28g, Protein: 2g, Fat: 18g, Saturated Fat: 9g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g, Monounsaturated Fat: 6g, Trans Fat: 0.3g, Cholesterol: 19mg, Sodium: 121mg, Potassium: 101mg, Fiber: 2g, Sugar: 20g, Vitamin A: 221IU, Vitamin C: 0.2mg, Calcium: 26mg, Iron: 1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Recipe FAQ

How to store?

Place the 7 layer bars recipe in an airtight container for 3-5 days or in the fridge for up to a week.
To freeze, wrap each bar with plastic wrap and place them in a freezer Ziploc for about 3 months. Thaw before eating.