The Ultimate Hello Dolly Recipe: Gooey, Chewy Magic Cookie Bars

Introduction

Dive into the irresistible world of the classic Hello Dolly recipe! Also famously known as Seven-Layer Bars or Magic Cookie Bars, these delightful treats feature an amazing combination of sweet, chewy layers. Imagine a buttery graham cracker crust, loaded with chocolate, nuts, and coconut, all bound together with sweet condensed milk. This easy-to-make dessert is perfect for any occasion and guarantees a crowd-pleasing, utterly delicious experience every time.

Why You’ll Love This Hello Dolly Recipe

You will adore this Hello Dolly recipe for so many fantastic reasons!

• Simple Ingredients: You only need a handful of common pantry staples to create these magical bars.
• Quick Preparation: Enjoy just 5 minutes of active prep time before baking.
• Rich, Caramelized Flavor: Sweetened condensed milk transforms into a gooey, buttery caramel during baking.
• Customizable: Easily swap out ingredients to match your personal taste or what you have on hand.
• Perfect Dessert: Ideal for parties, potlucks, or simply as a make-ahead treat that everyone loves.

Ingredients

Here are the essential ingredients for making this delightful Hello Dolly recipe:

• Unsalted butter: 16 tablespoons (2 sticks), melted, forming the rich base for our crust.
• Graham cracker crumbs: 3 cups (about 1 13 1/2 ounce box), providing the classic, sweet foundation.
• Dark or semisweet chocolate chips: 2 cups (about 12 ounces), adding a decadent chocolate layer.
• Pecans: 2 cups (about 8 ounces), roughly chopped for a delightful nutty crunch.
• Sweetened shredded coconut flakes: 3 cups, giving these bars their essential sweet chewiness.
• Sweetened condensed milk: 1 (14-ounce) can, the “magic” ingredient that binds and caramelizes everything.

Notes & Substitutions

Always use good quality unsalted butter for the best flavor and texture in your crust. If you do not have graham crackers, vanilla wafers or even crushed digestive biscuits make excellent alternatives. Feel free to experiment with different types of chocolate, such as milk chocolate chips, white chocolate chips, or even butterscotch chips. Walnuts or cashews can easily replace pecans for a different nutty twist. Remember to use sweetened shredded coconut flakes; unsweetened coconut will drastically change the flavor and moisture balance.

Equipment

Making these easy magic cookie bars requires just a few basic kitchen tools.

• 9×13 inch baking dish: This size is crucial for even baking and proper layer distribution.
• Mixing bowls: You will need one for combining the crust ingredients.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Essential for accurate ingredient amounts.
• Parchment paper: Optional, but highly recommended for effortless bar removal.

Instructions

Follow these simple steps to create your perfect batch of Hello Dolly Bars. This delicious Hello Dolly recipe comes together effortlessly.

1. Prepare oven: Adjust your oven rack to the middle position and preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). This ensures even baking.
2. Make crust: In a medium bowl, combine the melted butter and graham cracker crumbs. Mix them thoroughly until every crumb is moistened.
3. Press crust: Press the crumb mixture evenly and firmly into the bottom of your 9×13 inch baking dish. A solid crust is key for a sturdy bar.
4. Layer ingredients: Evenly distribute the chocolate chips over the crust. Follow with a layer of chopped pecans, then a generous layer of sweetened shredded coconut flakes on top.
5. Drizzle milk: Carefully and evenly pour the entire can of sweetened condensed milk over all the layered ingredients. Ensure it covers as much as possible.
6. Bake: Place the dish in the preheated oven. Bake for approximately 30 minutes, or until any visible crust is golden brown and the coconut begins to toast beautifully.
7. Cool completely: Remove the bars from the oven and let them cool completely at room temperature on a wire rack. Patience here is crucial!
8. Chill for slicing: For the cleanest cuts and best texture, refrigerate the bars for at least one hour. Chilling sets the gooey layers.
9. Cut and serve: Once thoroughly chilled, slice the bars into your desired size squares or rectangles and serve this amazing Hello Dolly recipe!

Pro Tips & Troubleshooting

Achieve perfect magic cookie bars every time with these helpful hints.

• Ensure even crust: Press the graham cracker mixture down very firmly. This prevents crumbling and gives your bars a sturdy base.
• Chilling is key: Do not skip the refrigeration step! Chilling allows the gooey layers to set completely, making the bars much easier and neater to cut.
• Coconut placement: Putting the coconut flakes on top ensures they get beautifully toasted and caramelized, adding fantastic flavor and texture.
• Avoid overbaking: Bake until the edges are golden and the coconut is just toasted. Overbaking can lead to dry, brittle bars instead of soft, chewy ones.
• Prevent sticking: Line your baking dish with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the sides. This makes lifting the cooled bars out incredibly easy.

Serving, Storage, & Variations

These delightful Hello Dolly Bars are delicious on their own, but you can also serve them with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream for an extra special treat.

Storage: Store your baked bars in an airtight container. They can be kept at room temperature for up to 3 days. If your kitchen is warm, or for extended freshness, store them in the refrigerator for up to a week.

Freezing: Yes, you can freeze Hello Dolly Bars! Once completely cooled and cut, wrap individual bars tightly in plastic wrap, then place them in a freezer-safe bag or container. They will keep in the freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature or in the refrigerator before serving. If you want more tips on storing and freezing magic cookie bars, this guide to never-fail magic cookie bars explains how long they last at room temperature, in the fridge, and in the freezer.

Variations: Get creative with your magic cookie bars! Try swapping dark chocolate chips for butterscotch chips or white chocolate chips. Introduce different nuts like chopped walnuts, slivered almonds, or even pistachios. For a fruity twist, sprinkle in some dried cranberries or finely chopped dried apricots before drizzling with condensed milk.

Nutrition Information

(Based on 12 bars per recipe)

Disclaimer: Nutritional values are estimates and may vary based on specific ingredients and preparation methods.

FAQ

• What are Hello Dolly Bars also known as?
  These popular treats go by several names, most commonly Seven-Layer Bars or Magic Cookie Bars. Each name perfectly describes their delightful layered structure.
• Why are they called “Hello Dolly” bars?
  The name is widely believed to have originated in the 1960s, coinciding with the popularity of the Broadway musical “Hello, Dolly!”. The easy, no-fuss nature of the recipe resonated with the era’s quick and accessible cooking trends. For more historical context on the treat’s popularization, one source suggests a recipe for similar “Hello Dolly Cookies” was published in the Ada, Oklahoma Evening News in July 1965, preceding other widely cited publications. For a deeper dive into how these bars became known as Hello Dolly and Magic Cookie Bars, this history of Hello Dolly bars shares fun background and old newspaper references
• Can I use unsweetened coconut?
  We highly recommend sticking to sweetened shredded coconut for this hello dolly recipe. Sweetened coconut provides crucial moisture and a richer flavor that unsweetened versions cannot replicate, leading to a less satisfying bar.
• How do I prevent the bars from being too gooey or messy?
  The secret to perfectly neat magic cookie bars is proper chilling. Make sure to refrigerate them for at least one hour, or even longer, until they are firm before attempting to cut them.
• Can Hello Dolly Bars be frozen?
  Absolutely! Once your bars are completely cooled and sliced, you can wrap them individually in plastic wrap and store them in a freezer-safe container for up to three months.

Conclusion

This Hello Dolly recipe truly stands the test of time as a beloved classic for a reason. It is incredibly easy to prepare, calls for simple ingredients, and delivers an unforgettable combination of sweet, chewy, and crunchy textures in every bite. Whether you are a beginner baker or a seasoned pro, these magic cookie bars are a guaranteed hit. Go ahead, bake a batch and discover the joy of this customizable, gooey, and utterly satisfying dessert.

The Ultimate Hello Dolly Recipe: Gooey, Chewy Magic Cookie Bars

Indulge in these gooey, chewy Magic Cookie Bars, also known as Hello Dolly Bars, a delightful treat perfect for any occasion.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 30 minutes mins

Total Time 1 hour hr 45 minutes mins

Servings: 12 bars

Calories: 350

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

Main Ingredients

• 16 tablespoons unsalted butter (2 sticks), melted
• 3 cups graham cracker crumbs (about 1 13 1/2 ounce box)
• 2 cups dark or semisweet chocolate chips (about 12 ounces)
• 2 cups pecans (about 8 ounces), roughly chopped
• 3 cups sweetened shredded coconut flakes
• 1 can sweetened condensed milk (14-ounce)

Equipment

• Oven
• Baking Dish
• Bowl

Method

 

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and combine melted butter with graham cracker crumbs in a bowl. Press the mixture evenly into the bottom of a baking dish to form the crust.
2. Layer chocolate chips, pecans, and coconut over the crust, then drizzle with sweetened condensed milk. Bake for approximately 30 minutes until golden brown, then cool completely and refrigerate for at least 1 hour before cutting into 12 bars.

Notes

To cut easily, let the bars chill in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour before serving. Store bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or in the fridge if your kitchen is warm.

Taya Bennett

Taya Bennett is the founder of YumEasyMeals, a platform dedicated to easy, delicious, and quick-to-prepare recipes for busy families. Passionate about everyday cooking, she simplifies meals with practical, accessible, and always delicious ideas.
Discover her creations at: yumeasymeals.com