This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.
Magic Layer Brownie Bars, like the Seven Layer Bars you might remember from your childhood, only better. Instead of a graham cracker cookie base, these bars start with a rich chocolate brownie, and layers of toasted coconut, chocolate chips, butterscotch chips and sweetened condensed milk. It’s the ultimate decadent dessert!
Do you have a favorite recipe that you remember from your childhood? Seven Layer Bars, or “Magic Bars” is one of those desserts. It became a popular cookie in the 60s, probably because of just how easy they are to make, and a potluck staple. If you went to a church potluck, these magic bars would be there. A basic graham cracker crust and a few pantry staples like chocolate chips, coconut and sweetened condensed milk and you were good to go.
I wanted to make a version of these beloved bars but wanted to put my own spin on it. My One Bowl Brownies are a favorite around our house, so I knew that would be just the thing to give these Magic Bars a rich, decadent upgrade.
They are baked until the top is done but the insides are still pretty gooey. At this point I added chocolate chips, toasted coconut and butterscotch chips. The final touch was to pour on the sweetened condensed milk. Then back into the oven to finish baking. The sweetened condensed milk when it bakes creates this gooey, chewy, caramel-like taste and texture, and it holds the other toppings to the brownie. You could also play around with the topping, adding things like white chocolate or peanut butter chips or pecans. Whatever you have on hand.
Let me tell you, these are probably my new favorite dessert. I dropped off half of the pan for our school staff and they got rave reviews. They look familiar, but taste so different, and better, than the original. These Magic Layer Brownie Bars are going to be tough to beat!
Magic Layer Brownie Bars
Ingredients
Brownies
- 1½ cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
- ½ cup salted butter 1 stick
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large egg
- 1 large egg yolk
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon vanilla
Layers
- 1 cup chocolate chips
- 1 cup butterscotch chips
- 1 cup shredded coconut
- 1 can sweetened condensed milk
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
- Place butter and chocolate chips in a large, microwaveable mixing bowl. Microwave on high for 30 seconds. Stir, and continue microwaving and stirring in 30 second intervals until chocolate is melted.
- Beat in sugar, then vanilla and eggs, until well combined.
- Stir in flour until just combined.
- Pour into a well greased 11x7 inch or 13x9 inch baking dish. Bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes.
- Remove from the oven (brownies will jiggle a little but be done on top) and sprinkle on chocolate and butterscotch chips, then shredded coconut. Pour sweetened condensed milk evenly over the top. Spread gently to make sure it is evenly distributed.
- Bake for an additional 25 minutes.
- Cool completely before cutting.
Notes
Nutrition
For more sweet treats, try these:
Coconut & White Chocolate Blondies
Everyone who eats these, raves about them…….and wants the recipe!!
Nice! Thanks for stopping by Maria.
Made these tonight for something different! These are delicious! Great twist on a 7 layer bar. Also sprinkled some toffee pieces and used peanut butter chips as well. Thank you!!
You are so welcome Stacey! Love the feedback, thanks for stopping by.
These are in the oven now. I used a brownie mix I had. Hubs can’t do coconut, so I opted for white chocolate chips, butterscotch chips, chopped pecans and the sw cond milk. Can’t wait!
Nice! Sounds delicious. Love the feedback Rhonda.
I made these the other day and they were delicious!
Nice! Thanks for stopping by Carrie.
I added pecan pieces to the chips for more texture& taste.
It looked terrible, but was tasty and I would not make it again. The butterscotch chips and the chocolate chips both melted and the condensed milk lay as a blanket on top. I followed the directions carefully.
What size pan did you use?
9″ X 13″
Could I add a layer of marshmallows to this recipe or would it be too gooey?
It’s pretty sweet with the condensed milk, so I think marshmallows might be too much.
Going to make the 7 layer brownies for a rally. Can’t wait to see how it goes. Thank you for the recipe!!
I am anxious to try your recipes!!
Thank you for the recipe – would it be ok to use a brownie mix?
Sure!
I made these yesterday and boy, oh, boy, they are delicious! Thank you so much for the recipe!
Thanks Erin!
I’m going to bake this tomorrow. I will skip the condensed milk as I don’t use it. Thanks for the recipe ?
Hi Menaga, The condensed milk is one of the layers and it helps to soften the coconut. Otherwise it’s just brownies, which is fine if that’s what you’re going for.
These look heavenly!!! Brownies are my FAVORITE and I see you posted this on my birthday- such a perfect match! Can’t wait to try these!!
These look divine!