• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Fresh Flavorful

  • Recipes
  • Entertaining
  • Adventuring
  • About
  • Clients
  • Contact
  • Navigation Menu: Social Icons

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipes
  • Entertaining
  • Adventuring
  • About
  • Clients
  • Contact
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Recipes
    • Entertaining
    • Adventuring
    • About
    • Clients
    • Contact
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×

    Home » Recipes » Desserts

    Magic Layered Nutty Chocolate Cookie Bars

    Magic Layered Nutty Chocolate Cookie Bars are the perfect mix of sweet, salty, chewy and crunchy to satisfy any cravings!

    stack of classic gooey layered cookie bars
    Jump to Recipe Jump to Video Print Recipe

    Toasted cashews, coconut, and dulce de leche butterscotch layered over a brown sugar cookie crust. The recipe is amazing as-is but once you learn the method it can be switched up with whatever ingredients are in your pantry.

    7 layer bar without graham crackers

    Nutty Chocolate Cookie Bars are like a 7 layer cookie bar recipe with the best layers!

    Based on the recipe for eagle brand 7 layer bars, those old fashioned magic cookie bars we all love. This recipe is still made with sweetened condensed milk and is very similar to the original.

    But these are 7 layer bars made without graham crackers and with a delicious brown sugar cookie crust instead!

    A brown sugar cookie crust layered with whole cashews, toasted coconut and fudgy chocolate studded with pockets of gooey dulce de leche butterscotch.

    These dessert bars look and sound fancy. But the simple method is as easy as baking a cookie and sprinkling on a few toppings.

    layered cookie bar with cashews and chocolate

    These cookie bars give major classic dessert bar vibes.

    They’re easy to make, sets up quickly, cuts cleanly and stores beautifully. Perfect for bake sales, picnics, and make ahead food gifts. Or whenever the craving for something sweet and salty hits!

    closeup of toasted coconut chocolate bars

    Ingredients

    • Butter
    • Brown sugar
    • All purpose flour
    • Salt
    • Vanilla extract
    • Chocolate chips
    • Sweetened condensed milk
    • Milk – either dairy milk or alternative milk like almond or oat
    • Cashews – chopped or whole, or other nuts of your choice
    • Unsweetened flaked coconut – or substitute sweetened coconut and skip the extra dusting of powdered sugar
    • Powdered sugar
    whole cashews in fudgy chocolate on a cookie crust

    Step by step instructions

    1. Preheat oven.
    2. Meanwhile make sweetened condensed milk butterscotch sauce. Melt brown sugar with butter then stir in sweetened condensed milk and a splash of milk. Cook until toasty and browned like dulce de leche. Remove from heat and set aside.
    3. Make brown sugar cookie crust and press into parchment paper lined baking dish and bake until light and golden.
    4. Remove toasted cookie crust from oven. While still very warm sprinkle chocolate chips evenly over top.
    colate Cookie Bars are the perfect mix of sweet, salty, chewy and crunchy to satisfy any cravings! 7 layer bars | 7 layer cookie bars recipe
    1. Add cashews.
    colate Cookie Bars are the perfect mix of sweet, salty, chewy and crunchy to satisfy any cravings! 7 layer bars | 7 layer cookie bars recipe
    1. Top with half the flaked coconut then pour warm dulce de leche butterscotch over. Either smooth with back of spoon for an even fudgy layer. Or leave as poured for more intense butterscotch pockets.
    2. Sprinkle with remaining coconut.
    3. Bake, uncovered, until toasted, about 20-25 minutes.
    colate Cookie Bars are the perfect mix of sweet, salty, chewy and crunchy to satisfy any cravings! 7 layer bars | 7 layer cookie bars recipe
    1. Cool at least 20 minutes. Then if you’d like you can sprinkle with powdered sugar for a bit more sweetness and contrast.
    2. Using a sharp knife cut into bars, squares, slices, diamonds or whatever shape you like. For cleanest cuts wipe blade after every swipe.
    3. Serve as is or under a scoop of ice cream.
    4. Enjoy!
    Different cuts of nutty chocolate cookie bars

    How to store

    Store covered at room temperature for up to 5 days. Or freeze for up to 3 months.

    stack of classic gooey layered cookie bars

    Nutty Chocolate Cookie Bars

    Nutty Chocolate Cookie Bars are the perfect mix of sweet, salty, chewy and crunchy to satisfy any cravings!
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Rate Recipe
    Prep Time: 10 minutes
    Cook Time: 35 minutes
    Total Time: 45 minutes
    Course: Dessert
    Cuisine: American
    7 layer bar, 7 layer cookie
    Servings: 20 servings
    Calories: 433kcal
    Author: Tristin Rieken

    Ingredients

    • 1 cup unsalted butter 2 sticks, divided into ¾ and ¼ cup portions
    • ¾ cup brown sugar packed, divided into ½ and ¼ cup portions
    • 2 ½ cups all purpose flour
    • ¼ teaspoon fine salt
    • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
    • 1 ¾ cups sweetened condensed milk 1 14 ounce can
    • ¼ cup whole milk
    • 2 cups chocolate chips or chunks
    • 1 ½ cups unsweetened flaked coconut
    • 1 cup roasted cashews whole or chopped, or any other nut of your choice
    • 2 tablespoons confectioners sugar optional

    Instructions

    • Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and line a 13×9 inch baking dish with parchment paper leaving overhang on sides to make removing bars easier later.
    • Combine ¾ cup butter with ½ cup brown sugar and beat until light and fluffy. Add vanilla and 1 tablespoon milk then slowly add in flour and salt. Pour mixture into prepared baking dish and press evenly around bottom but not up the sides using floured hands and the bottom of a measuring cup.
    • Place in center of preheated oven and bake until light and golden.
    • Meanwhile, place a small saucepan over medium heat and melt remaining ¼ cup butter with remaining ¼ cup brown sugar. Once melted stir in sweetened condensed milk and remaining 2 tablespoons whole milk. Cook until butterscotch sauce is toasty and browned like dulce de leche, about 10 minutes.
    • Remove toasted cookie crust from oven. Sprinkle all the chocolate chips and cashews over the crust and half of the flaked coconut. Then, pour warm dulce de leche butterscotch over it all. Smooth with back of spoon for a more even fudgy layer, or leave as – is for more intense butterscotch pockets. Sprinkle with remaining coconut.
      colate Cookie Bars are the perfect mix of sweet, salty, chewy and crunchy to satisfy any cravings! 7 layer bars | 7 layer cookie bars recipe
    • Bake, uncovered, until toasted, about 20-25 minutes.
      colate Cookie Bars are the perfect mix of sweet, salty, chewy and crunchy to satisfy any cravings! 7 layer bars | 7 layer cookie bars recipe
    • Cool at least 20 minutes. Then sprinkle with powdered sugar.
    • Using a sharp knife cut into bars, wiping blade clean after every swipe for the cleanest cuts.
      closeup of toasted coconut chocolate bars

    Video

    Nutrition

    Calories: 433kcal | Carbohydrates: 52g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 23g | Saturated Fat: 14g | Cholesterol: 37mg | Sodium: 84mg | Potassium: 207mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 36g | Vitamin A: 400IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 117mg | Iron: 2mg
    Made this recipe? Please share!Mention @freshflavorful or tag #FreshFlavorfulLife
    Nutrition Facts
    Nutty Chocolate Cookie Bars
    Amount Per Serving
    Calories 433 Calories from Fat 207
    % Daily Value*
    Fat 23g35%
    Saturated Fat 14g88%
    Cholesterol 37mg12%
    Sodium 84mg4%
    Potassium 207mg6%
    Carbohydrates 52g17%
    Fiber 2g8%
    Sugar 36g40%
    Protein 6g12%
    Vitamin A 400IU8%
    Vitamin C 1mg1%
    Calcium 117mg12%
    Iron 2mg11%
    * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

    Shop this post

    Please note: ONE armed MAMA is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, and these customized links, provided by Amazon, track the referrals to their website for the purposes of assigning commission on these sales.

    Pin for later!

    Nutty Chocolate Cookie Bars with sugar cookie crust, butterscotch, chocolate and nuts - the perfect mix of sweet, salty, chewy and crunchy! magic cookie bars | coconut bars | sheet pan sugar cookie | gooey chocolate chip recipe

    More Desserts

    • Summer Berry Swirl Ice Cream
    • Cream Cheese Frosting that is super creamy and not too sweet with a lightly tart flavor that's a great compliment to desserts and baked goods. cream cheese frosting | cream cheese frosting recipe
      Cream Cheese Frosting
    • Cranberry pie with a bite out of it shows bright pink cranberry curd on the bottom, follow by light pink cranberry chantilly cream, then a thin layer of whipped cream.
      Layered Creamy Cranberry Pie
    • Cranberry cookies that are bright maroon red and covered with coarse sanding sugar to look like sparkling sugar plums are stacked high on a plate with fresh cranberries scattered around the foreground.
      Sparkling Sugarplum Cranberry Cookies
    232 shares
    • Share
    • Tweet

    If you make this or any of Fresh Flavorful recipes be sure to share! Tag @freshflavorful on instagram or post a photo to the Fresh Flavorful Life Facebook page. Can't wait to see what you're making!

    Reader Interactions

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    Hi, I'm Tris! Welcome to Fresh Flavorful where I hope to inspire you with simple recipes and ideas to eat deliciously, entertain easily and adventure often.

    More about me →

    Popular

    • Fresh bright purple cookies with white chocolate stacked on a tray with frozen blueberries scattered around in addition to the blueberry cookie tray.
      Vibrant Purple Chewy Blueberry Cookies
    • Vibrant naturally purple blackberry tea and blackberry iced tea with fresh berries and cream being poured over the blackberries in the blackberry latte
      Blackberry Tea Iced Tea Latte
    • Banana Chiffon Cake a light, fluffy cake with tender bite and rich banana flavor. chiffon cake | chiffon cake recipe | chiffon cake with lemon glaze | ripe banana recipes
      Banana Chiffon Cake
    • Overhead view of vintage cut glass punch bowl with citrus slices and citrus and cranberry ice cubes in the beautiful bright pink cranberry paloma punch.
      Cranberry Citrus Paloma Punch

    Seasonal

    • lemon slices and refreshing lemon cocktail in a tall glass
      Coconut Lemon Sour Party Pitcher
    • Light and refreshing Strawberry Mint White Wine Spritzer combines fresh strawberries, mint leaves and wine with sparkling water.
      Strawberry Mint White Wine Spritzer
    • Bright citrusy lemon and creamy coconut with a cappuccino-like foam the Coconut Chantilly Sour is like a fresh slice of lemon meringue pie in a glass!
      The Chantilly Sour Coconut Cocktail
    • A large round platter filled with greens, bacon strips, hard boiled egg halves, curly carrots, avocado slices and small purple chive blossom with wood salad servers on the side of the entree salad recipe.
      Spring Garden Chef’s Salad
    See more Spring →

    Footer

    Inspired by the beauty of gathering round a table Tristin Rieken shares ideas for living a Fresh, Flavorful Life!

    Inspired by the beauty of the Pacific Northwest recipe developer and food photographer, Tristin Rieken, shares easy recipes and simple ideas for eating, entertaining and adventuring your way to a Fresh Flavorful Life.

    • About
    • Contact
    • Subscribe
    • Let’s work together!
    • Disclosure and Privacy Policy
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube

    Copyright © 2023 Fresh Flavorful on the Foodie Pro Theme

    232 shares