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–+ servings
OLD FASHIONED Seven LAYER BARS

Grandma’s 7-Layer Cookies (Magic Bars)

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A nostalgic dessert straight from my grandma’s handwritten recipe box—modernized just enough to keep the structure without losing the charm. Sweetened condensed milk, chocolate, butterscotch, coconut, and nuts come together in one of the most iconic bar cookies of all time.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 24 bars
Course: Bars, Cookies, Dessert
Cuisine: American
Calories: 181
Ingredients Equipment Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
  • 1/2 cup butter melted
  • 1 can sweetened condensed milk 14 oz (Eagle Brand)
  • 1 cup flaked coconut
  • 1 package semi-sweet chocolate bits about 1–1 1/4 cups
  • 1 package butterscotch bits about 1–1 1/4 cups
  • 1 1/2 cups chopped nuts walnuts or pecans

Equipment

Mixing Bowl
1 Mixing Bowl
Measuring Cups and Spoons
1 Measuring Cups and Spoons
9x13-inch Baking Pan
1 9x13-inch Baking Pan
Spatula
1 Spatula
Wire Rack
1 Wire Rack

Method
 

  1. Preheat & Prepare Pan
    Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9x13-inch baking pan or line it with parchment paper for easy removal.
  2. Make the Crust
    In a mixing bowl, combine graham cracker crumbs and melted butter.
    Press the mixture firmly and evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan to form a crust.
  3. Add Sweetened Condensed Milk
    Pour the sweetened condensed milk evenly over the crust. Use a spatula or back of a spoon to gently spread it if needed.
  4. Layer the Toppings
    In this order, sprinkle evenly over the top:
    Chocolate chips
    Butterscotch chips
    Flaked coconut
    Chopped nuts
    Do not stir—this is a layered bar.
  5. Bake
    Bake for 25–30 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and the center is set.
    Bars will firm up more as they cool.
  6. Cool & Cut
    Let cool completely in the pan on a wire rack. Once fully cooled, slice into 24 bars using a sharp knife.

Nutrition

Calories: 181kcalCarbohydrates: 15gProtein: 3gFat: 13gSaturated Fat: 6gPolyunsaturated Fat: 4gMonounsaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0.2gCholesterol: 16mgSodium: 88mgPotassium: 123mgFiber: 1gSugar: 11gVitamin A: 164IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 60mgIron: 1mg

Notes

Grandma’s Original Version: Her handwritten instructions said to mix everything together and bake it in one layer. It works, but the bars hold better with a graham cracker crust.
Chip Quantities: Older recipes often assumed 6 oz packages of chips. Today’s standard packages are 10–12 oz (roughly 1 to 1¼ cups). Use your preference for richness.
Customization Tip: Add a sprinkle of sea salt on top before baking for a more modern sweet-salty finish.

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