7 Layer Bars

Deliciously decadent 7 Layer Bars are easy to make with just 7 ingredients! They start with a buttery graham cracker base, topped with layers of chopped pecans, shredded coconut, chocolate chips, butterscotch chips, and sweetened condensed milk. The perfect dessert bars for your next gathering!

I’ve gotten into a bad habit lately: a habit of NEVER making dessert. Now, I know… there are much WORSE habits I could be in. Because nobody really NEEDS dessert… so how bad of a habit can it really be?

But. My kids would beg to differ. Because as much as they might not NEED dessert, they definitely want it. And homemade is always best! To be fair, I can empathize with them.

I specifically remember back to that age and to how exciting it was when my mom would make a delicious homemade dessert. Whether it was Rhubarb Crisp or Banana Cake or homemade Strawberry Pie, nothing would make me happier than a delicious dessert fresh from the oven or fridge.

So I had a moment of weakness the other day and decided to surprise them with one of my personal favorites: 7 Layer Bars. Made with 7 ingredients and oven-ready in 10 minutes or less, they’re sweet, gooey, decadent, and SO very easy. Which is always a bonus.

They were sitting on the counter when my daughter came home and… no surprise… she found them immediately. And just as I suspected, she tried them, she loved them, and she definitely walked away a happy camper.

what you’ll need for this recipe

Butter – One stick of butter is melted and combined with the graham cracker crumbs to form the base of these bars. I used salted butter to help balance out the sweetness of the other ingredients.

Graham cracker crumbs – 2 cups of graham cracker crumbs combine with the melted butter to form the base layer, or crust. I used regular honey graham crackers, but you could also substitute cinnamon or chocolate grahams.

Chopped nuts – Chopped nuts add flavor and crunch to the bars. I added 1 1/2 cups chopped pecans.

Shredded coconut – Shredded coconut adds delicious coconut flavor and texture. I used sweetened flaked coconut, but unsweetened would also work well in these bars.

Chocolate chips – Chocolate chips give these bars delicious chocolatey flavor. I used 1 1/4 cups milk chocolate chips, but bittersweet or even white chocolate chips would also work well.

Butterscotch chips – Butterscotch chips add extra sweetness and butterscotch flavor. I used 1/2 cup butterscotch chips. Peanut butter chips would also be a delicious addition!

Sweetened condensed milk – Finally, sweetened condensed milk is drizzled over the top, adding moisture and sweetness and binding all the other ingredients together.

how to make 7 Layer Bars

Make the base layer. Melt the butter in a 9×13 inch pan. Add the graham cracker crumbs and press firmly into the bottom of the pan.

Add the remaining layers. Add the chopped nuts, shredded coconut, chocolate chips, butterscotch chips, and sweetened condensed milk one layer at a time.

Bake. Bake at 350° 25-30 minutes.

storage tips

Leftover bars can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature or in the refrigerator for up to 10 days. Serve cold, warm, or at room temperature.