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7-Layer Magic Cookie Bars

Ranked #4,308 in Food & Cooking, #81,468 overall

My First Memory of Making 7-Layer Magic Cookie Bars.

I still remember the first time I made these cookies bars. It was at my grandmother's house and she said she had a new recipe she wanted me to help her make. When I asked what they were called she said "7 Layer Magic Cookie Bars" Well that did it, I was in, what kid doesn't want to be involved in magic. She walked me through each step, we baked them then waited. They were heavenly, having the sweet tooth that I do, I fell in love with them.

This is a great activity to do with a child; it's so easy even the youngest cook can help. There are many variations of this recipe one of the main ones being pouring the sweetened condensed milk over just the crust and pushing the ingredients into it. The other and the one I prefer is pouring the milk over the whole thing. I think it makes the texture and the flavor just a little better, plus it give the top a thin crunchy glaze. Is your mouth watering yet? Mine is.

Creative Commons photo
By foodistablog

9x13 3QT Baking Dish

9x13 3QT Baking Dish

Amazon Price: $39.96 (as of 05/26/2012)Buy Now

7-Layer Cookies

Printable Version

Important!

Short Cut: For the crust.

Use packaged graham cracker crust mix.

Photo by
By rosierose

A Plethora of 7-Layer Magic Cookie Bar Recipes

It's amazing how many slight variations of this recipe there are. Find the one you like best.
Cooks.com
Several pages and variations of the 7-Layer Magic Cookie Bar Recipe
Eaglebrand.com
Eaglebrand makes sweetened condensed milk, this is their version.
An American Housewife
A charming post. Her recipe only uses 1/4 cup butter rather than a 1/4 pound of butter

The One I Did With My Grandma

Eagle Brand Sweetened Condensed Milk

Or Store Brand

Are you a brand purest in which case only Eagle Brand or Pet will do? Do you have a different favorite brand or do you go for the lowest cost?

Are you a Brand Purest?

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Yes, only Eagle Brand or Pet for me.

blanckj says:

I've always used eagle brand. The taste is different and it's creamier. I find the bargain brands to have a slight grit to them.

No, I go for the bargain brand.

Mozaika says:

I get the cheapest deal I can find, and stock up - in our house this sweet goodness goes fast! :)

grandma_deal says:

Usually the bargain brands work, but not always.

 

Seven Layer Bar

a.k.a. Hello Dolly Bars


This video doesn't give exact ingredients, but I liked it for several reasons. One is it uses parchment paper to line the pan for easy removal versus foil. Two, it looks like it uses less butter than most of the recipes I found and adds a little water to extend the volume of liquid for moistening the crumbs. I like the use of pecans instead of walnuts and lastly I like the version that pours the sweeten condensed milk over the whole think, rather than just over the crust.
Making Hello Dolly Bars
by MyRecipesTV | video info

64 ratings | 26,509 views
curated content from YouTube

Seven Layer Magic Cookie Bar

a.k.a. Hello Dollie Bars

I was looking for some history on these bars, because I remember my grandmother saying it was a new recipe. I don't know if she meant new to her, or new to everyone. In one location the blogger said they were popular in the 60's & 70's and lost popularity in the 80's with the low fat diet craze. Below is the only source I found with significant history on these tasty treats.
Hello Dolly Squares (Hello Dolly Bars; Hello Dolly Cookies; Hello Dolly Cake; Hello Dollies)
This is the only history I could find for these bars that go by many names.

Hello Dolly

The Movie

Barbara Striesand alone makes this worth watching. Add Walter Matthau and directed by Gene Kelly and you can't go wrong.
Hello, Dolly! Widescreen Edition

Hello, Dolly! Widescreen Edition

Amazon Price: $6.70 (as of 05/26/2012)Buy Now

The famed plot concerns Dolly, a young widow and professional matchmaker who sets her sights, and whatever else she can muster, on conquering tight-fisted Yonkers merchant, Horace Vandergeider, beautifully played by Walter Matthau.

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Have You Ever Had These Bars?

Let me know what you think.

Thanks for stopping by, enjoy your virtual calorie free Seven Layer Magic Cookie Bar.

  • Mozaika Jan 27, 2012 @ 1:24 pm | delete
    No, but not for long now! Love this recipe already - looks and sounds absolutely delish!
  • bygproductions Feb 1, 2012 @ 2:07 am | delete
    Just in time for Valentines day, let me know what you think.
  • Sylvestermouse Jan 25, 2012 @ 11:09 am | delete
    Yummy! These cookies sound delicious!
  • bygproductions Feb 1, 2012 @ 2:06 am | delete
    They are, beware though, they are addicting.
  • WayneDave Nov 24, 2011 @ 4:58 am | delete
    These look gorgeous. Never had them but may be tempted....Thanks for sharing.
  • bygproductions Feb 1, 2012 @ 2:06 am | delete
    Hey Wayne, thanks for the comment. Have you tried them yet?
  • Kris10P Jul 22, 2011 @ 12:28 am | delete
    YUM!! I like to make Magic Cookie Bars for potlucsks. Everyone always falls in love with them. People always think I slaved over a hot stove to make them. Little do they know how easy they are. Thanks for the idea of using parchment paper to line the pan. I'm going to do that next time I make them. =)
  • bygproductions Jul 25, 2011 @ 1:48 am | delete
    Glad I could help. I always take these when I see them at a potluck.
  • blanckj Jun 1, 2011 @ 8:13 am | delete
    Yes and I love them. Thanks for sharing.
  • bygproductions Jun 1, 2011 @ 8:48 pm | delete
    Thanks for your articulate post in the debate above. I may become a brand purest based on your comment.
  • grandma_deal Apr 7, 2011 @ 6:05 pm | delete
    Never heard of these before. Now that I have, I must make some. They sound so yummy. Two of the granddaughters are coming this weekend. Your recipe will be a perfect activity. Thanks for sharing. Liked, favorited, lensrolled, facebooked, and bookmarked. I want to be sure I find you again.
  • bygproductions Apr 8, 2011 @ 11:38 pm | delete
    Thank you for all the love. Let me know if your granddaughters like them
  • PurplePansy Apr 6, 2011 @ 4:09 am | delete
    These look really good! I don't think I've ever had these. I know I have never heard of them by this name. But anything with chocolate and sweetened condensed milk has my attention! I'm favoriting this so that I can try the recipe sometime.
  • bygproductions Apr 8, 2011 @ 11:36 pm | delete
    Let me know what you think after you try them.
  • HarmonyArtMom Mar 26, 2011 @ 6:02 pm | delete
    Now I am hungry but I just got back from my monthly grocery shopping in the big city and I have all the ingredients....it is raining outside and I am starting the oven now. :)

    Yummy looking lens.
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bygproductions

These cookies are great anytime of year. Make for a Christmas Cookie Exchange, a gift, or any time you need to bring a dessert somewhere. Definitely one... more »

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