Hello Dollies is a classic cookie, also known by other names such as “Magic Cookie Bars” or “7-Layer Magic Cookie Bars”. Whatever you want to call them, they are a chewy graham cracker crust bar cookie with coconut, nuts and chocolate. These are so simple to make, and a classic cookie recipe that will make you a rock star at your next pot luck.
My husband seldom asks me to make a specific dish or dessert. I asked my husband what treat he’d like for his lunch box. “Hello Dollies“, he replied, with hope in his voice. This bar cookie is a classic– otherwise known as Magic Cookie Bars, from Eagle Brand. I don’t know where his father got the name “Hello Dollies”– it must be a Missouri version? So, I scoured the pantry, and I had one can of condensed milk on hand. I keep walnuts in the freezer, and always have an assortment of chocolate chips and other flavors. My husband was in luck, when I found a box of graham crackers. These took 10 minutes to put together:
Preheat the oven to 350F. You need one cup of nuts, chopped. Pecans would be good, but I chose walnuts for today. I pulsed one package of graham crackers to equal 1 1/2 cups. Melt one stick of butter and combine to the graham cracker crumbs. I love parchment paper, otherwise spray a 9×13 pan with nonstick spray. I prefer to make a “sling” of two sheets of cut parchment paper so that I have about 2″ of overhang on each side. You can use aluminum foil, if you don’t have parchment paper. Ever since I started doing this extra step, I no longer struggle with cutting bar cookies or having them stick to the pan. Pour a 14-oz can of condensed milk on top of the crust. If you have an offset spatula, it makes the even spreading so much easier!
Magic Cookie Bars (Hello Dollies)
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup butter melted, 1 stick
- 1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
- 1 can Sweetened Condensed Milk 14-ounce can
- 2 cups semisweet chocolate morsels
- 1 1/3 cups flaked coconut
- 1 cup chopped nuts I used walnuts
Instructions
- Heat oven to 350°F (325°F for glass dish). Coat 13×9-inch baking pan with no-stick cooking spray, or make a parchment paper “sling”* to easily lift out the baked cookie.
- Combine graham cracker crumbs and butter. Press into bottom of prepared pan. Pour sweetened condensed milk evenly over crumb mixture. NOTE: An offset spatula makes this easy to do.
- Layer evenly with chocolate chips, coconut and nuts. Press down firmly with a fork (I use the palm of my hand).
- Bake 25 minutes or until lightly browned. Cool.
- Cut into bars or diamonds. Store covered at room temperature.
Notes
Nutrition
So I am pretty sure that I can't wait until Christmas to have these! They are basically an amalgam of all my favorite things.
These have always been a favorite of mine but I haven't made them in quite a while(mainly because I'll eat the whole pan!). I think it's about time I visited my old favorite and did some baking this week (it's cooled down here too). I make my own condensed milk from powdered milk. Have you ever tried it? It's super simple!
These are a favorite at my inservices (behind lemon bars and almost even with brownies)and they are actually so much easier than the other two treats. I also use the sling technique (foil works if you don't have parchment). I often add heath pieces or butterscotch chips in addition to the chocolate, and have tried all sort of chocolate chips/chunks. I grew up calling these 7 layer bars, but people eat them whatever they are called !
I love these magic cookie bars. They're addictive, aren't they? I have to remember to do the sling method when I make brownies and bars. It makes cutting them so much easier! Your husband is a lucky guy!!
Anything with chips and coconut is a winner! The problem is, I could eat the whole pan!
Wow, I have never heard of these bars before, I have all the ingredients to make them! YUM
I used to make these when my kids were little. Thanks for reigniting a memory. They are still as delicious as I remember.
I can't look, you're bringing up memories, I have no control, I love these!
Nancy, you are so right on using aluminum foil as a sling. Oooh, heath bar crunch chips? I happen to have some of those. What a great idea!
My husband always complains that I never bake his favorites for him and him alone. Maybe I should be more like you and pay attention. Then again, I bake and he complains that I'm undoing his Insanity workouts.
I have a cookbook that also refers to these as Hello Dollies. There is no explanation as to why they're called that, but as a theater lover, how can I not love the name?
"Hello Dolly. Well hello Dolly. We're so glad to have you back where you belong" (IN MY STOMACH)
Magic Cookie Bars are one of my all-time-favorite cookies! They are delicious and simple to make. Love that giant spatula too:)
Magic cookies bars are Sam's favorites as well. I've heard of them referred to as Hello Dollie bars but I've never called them that- it must be regional. Either way, they're delicious with a glass of milk. I also recommend cutting them into one inch chunks and freezing them. They make a great snack 🙂
I think of these as a Christmas cookie tray addition, too. Delicious!
It seems that everywhere I go today I find coockie bars but your looks something else! Thanks for sharing this. Can't wait to try it. Nice picutres too.
I haven't had magic cookie bars in ages! I will need to make a batch – yours look fantastic!
Did I read that right, "never higher than 72 degrees" (sigh). I am melting here in Florida 🙂
the magic cookie bars are delightful. Your husband knows a good snack for the lunch box.
I am such a lazy cook that any bar cookie recipe is sooooo up my alley. The coconut seals the deal for me.
They looks so gorgeous and delicious!! I surely gonna have a try on that recipe!
Cheers,
Lia.
This is one of my favorite cookie recipes that I always make at Christmas. I agree with Craig – they're the best.
Your pictures just blow me away – sooo beautiful! Thanks for sharing and reminding me of this awesome recipe. MMMMM!
magical combination of ingredients!!
Just made these with hazelnuts. mmmmmm Thanks for the recipe!
These are my husband's favorite cookie too!
I make this recipe but we call it "hello dollies." We make it at Christmas time and it's my husband's favorite.
I will have to try your tip of putting the condensed milk on the crust. I always pour it over the top of everything, but they are always very hard to cut.