Hello Dolly Bars Recipe: A Decadent 7-Layer Christmas Tradition
Looking for a gooey, decadent treat that’s perfect for the holidays? These Hello Dolly Bars, also known as 7 Layer Bars or Magic Bars, have been a beloved Christmas tradition in my family for generations. With layers of butterscotch chips, chocolate chips, pecans, graham crackers, coconut, and sweetened condensed milk, these indulgent cookie bars are sure to become a new favorite in your home too!
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Why you’ll love these Hello Dolly Bars
- Crowd-pleasing: Gooey, chewy, crunchy, and utterly irresistible
- Easy to make: Simple ingredients and minimal prep for maximum flavor
- Customizable: Swap out the nuts, chips, or crumbs for endless variations
- Perfect for sharing: Cut into squares for holiday cookie trays or gift boxes
- Rich history: Steeped in sweet nostalgia and fascinating food lore
Why are they called Hello Dolly Bars?
These gooey cookie bars deserve a rich history, which is all bound up with the history of condensed milk.
In 1853, Gail Borden began to market condensed milk as baby formula. It didn’t need refrigeration.
In 1856, he began selling a cookie creation of his from a street cart in New York City. It was made with condensed milk.
During the Civil War (1861-1865), enormous quantities of Borden’s condensed milk were handed out to soldiers as field rations. Each 14-ounce can pack a walloping 1,300 calories! The soldiers told everyone at home how tasty it was, and sweetened condensed milk became a home kitchen staple.
Ingredients
Here’s a list of what you need:
- Butter – Melted to create a rich, buttery base for the bars
- Graham cracker crumbs – Provides a crunchy, slightly sweet foundation
- Butterscotch chips – Adds a caramel-like flavor and gooey texture
- Coconut – Contributes a subtle tropical sweetness and chewy texture
- Chocolate chips – Delivers rich, chocolatey goodness in every bite
- Pecans – Offers a nutty crunch and classic holiday flavor
- Sweetened condensed milk – The magic ingredient that binds the layers and creates a luscious, fudgy texture
How to Make Hello Dolly Bars
- Melt butter and pour into a square baking dish.
- Sprinkle the dry ingredients evenly over the butter.
- Pour sweetened condensed milk over the top.
- Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.
- Cool completely then cut into squares.
Recipe Variations
If you want to be more adventurous with making your bars, you could:
- Change the nuts to hazelnuts, walnuts, or your favorite nuts.
- Swap out the butterscotch chips for peanut butter chips
- Use crushed vanilla wafers instead of graham cracker crumbs
Storage instructions
- Store leftover bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
- Freeze bars in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature before serving.
- Wrap individual bars in plastic wrap for easy grab-and-go snacking or gifting.
Love cookies and cookie bars? Try these recipes!
- Cranberry Pecan Cookies
- Chinese Almond Cookies
- Black and White Cookies
- Almond Shortbread Cookies
- Cream Cheese Cookies
- Fudge Cookie Bars
- Chocolate Crinkle Cookies
Favorite Christmas Candy
Be sure to check out more of my simple cookie recipes and the best Christmas candy recipes here on CopyKat.com!
Hello Dolly Bars
Ingredients
- 4 ounces melted butter
- 1 cup graham cracker crumbs
- 6 ounces butterscotch chips
- 1 cup sweetened coconut
- 6 ounces chocolate chips
- 1 cup chopped pecans
- 14 ounces sweetened condensed milk
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- Melt butter and pour into an 8 by 8-inch baking pan.
- Sprinkle evenly with the rest of the dry ingredients in order as written.
- Pour sweetened condensed milk over the top.
- Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes. After it has cooled cut into squares.
Nutrition
Source Virginia McDowell. Jefferson City, Mo. 1966.
Should I use sweetened or unsweetened coconut. Thanks!
I would use sweetened coconut.
I know you have a picture but d NOT give the size of the pan, 8 x 8, 9x 9 or 9×13?
I used an 8×8 inch baking dish.
Vanilla wafers is the only way I ever made them and they are DELICIOUS,
My mom’s recipe did not call for butterscotch chips (you could add them or not) but the biggest difference was crushed vanilla wafers instead of graham cracker crumbs. I’ve seen many of these recipes but never seen the crushed vanilla wafers except for my mom’s recipe & I loved hers!
I would love to try these cookies with the vanilla wafers. I imagine they would add a nice touch.
I agree! :o)