Name: Shortbread Magic Cookie Bars
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 40 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: Shortbread Crust:; 1 cup butter softened; 1/2 cup brown sugar; 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract; 2-1/4 cup flour leveled and fluffed so it's even; pinch of salt; Topping:; 1 - 14 - ounces can of sweetened condensed milk; 1 cup shredded coconut; 2 cups mixture of dark and milk chocolate chips; Optional Additions: 1 cup chopped pecans, walnuts or pistachios,1 cup peanut butter or butterscotch chips ( you can use 1 cup of each); Note: for graham cracker crust:; 1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs; 1/2 cup melted butter; Mix together press into the pan (the crumbs do not need prebaking just layer the same way and bake for 25 minutes.)

Oh my goodness the many names this cookie bar has started with magic cookie bars.

They're also known as 7 layer cookies, chocolate coconut cookie bars, and hello dolly bars.

The usual crust from the 1960s is made with graham crackers, I changed it up a bit making a shortbread buttery crust instead.

Everyone raved about how the crust melts in your mouth with that delicious crunch then smothered with creamy condensed milk almost mounds bar topping.

My family isn't big on adding nuts however you can add them and honestly if you do, toast them first they make a huge difference.

Cookie bars are so much easier to make than mixing cookie dough and making individual ones, these are all in one pan, cooled cut and viola done in 25 minutes.

If you love coconut great but these are so versatile you can add many other additions and omit whatever you're not fond of right?

We love easy recipes like this one, you may remember these simple delights Dark Chocolate Cake Mix Cake Banana Cake Mix Cake or my 4 Ingredient Pumpkin Spice Cake.

Scroll down to the recipe card for this delicious cookie bar and it's printable, read my other suggestions I have to make these different each time.

these are a 7 layer magic cookie bar with coconut, chocolate chips and pecans

The Best Cookie Crust Ever

If you prefer the graham cracker old-fashioned crust I got you covered, that will be in the recipe card at the bottom so don't worry.

I really love the shortbread crust because it stays together and really makes these a gourmet cookie bar.

Everyone has their own ideas on what can go on top of these classic cookie bars so check out my topping suggestions below.

this is a hello dolly bar with coconut and chocolate chips

Other Topping Additions:

peanut butter chips
mint chocolate chips
toffee chips
substitute chopped pretzels for nuts
not a coconut lover? add dried fruits like cranberries
for Christmas, colors add chopped maraschino cherries and white chocolate chips
white, milk, and dark chocolate chunks
chopped peanut butter cups
Andes candies chopped
chopped unwrapped caramels
pumpkin seeds for nut allergies

these are a pan of magic cookie bars with condensed milk, chocolate chips and coconut

Ingredients You Will Need (scroll down for exact measurements)

brown sugar
vanilla
butter
flour
salt
sweetened condensed milk
coconut
assorted chocolate chips
Optional: nuts or pumpkin seeds

these are 3 cookies bars called 7 layer cookies

Tools

measuring spoons
measuring cups
mixing bowl
fork or spatula
nut chopper if using
9 x 9 baking pan
parchment paper

Pin for Later

More Recipes To Try

1960s Pistachio Cake Mix Pound Cake

Easy Pumpkin Spice Cake Mix Cookies

this is a pan of hello dolly 7 layer cookie bars

Layered Cookies

These are so versatile and you can make them with so many different toppings.

During the holiday season, I also like to use colorful sprinkles to match the theme, that's even another option.

Just remember to mix and match whatever kinds of candy, chocolate chips, and get creative and name your own 7 layer bar cookies whatever you want!.