Hello Dolly Bars | Renee's Kitchen Adventures

Tuesday, November 19, 2013

Hello Dolly Bars

You'll love this vintage recipe for Hello Dolly Bars! Also known as magic bars, or seven layer bars, the name Hello Dolly is a tribute to the musical, Hello Dolly, that was popular at the same time the bars became famous! Not quite a cookie bar, not quite a candy bar, these rich treats are layered with graham cracker crust, white, butterscotch, and milk chocolate chips, coconut, and walnuts then drizzled with sweetened condensed milk. 

Hello Dolly bars (4) cut on a white plate ready to eat


A little history: Hello Dolly Bars vs. Magic Cookie Bars


You may know these bars as seven layer bars, coconut dream bars, magic bars, or the popular Eagle Brand (a brand of sweetened condensed milk) Seven Layer Magic Cookie Bars...but they are also referred to as Hello Dolly Bars, particularly in the south. You might also see them spelled and referred to as Hello Dollies. 

The name, Hello Dolly Bars, was apparently inspired by the musical starring Carol Channing of the same name, "Hello Dolly!" which ran on Broadway in the mid-1960's. 

No one really knows the true origin of exactly how the name became popular or what was included in the original recipe for Hello Dolly Bars. But, one thing for sure is, no matter what you call them, they sure are delicious. Dangerously delicious. (As in you might eat the whole pan yourself!)

How to make Hello Dolly Bars


Hello Dolly Bars are super easy to make. These Hello Dolly Squares are made with butterscotch chips, milk chocolate chips, and white chocolate chips for maximum flavor. Here's what you'll need to make them (see full recipe amounts in recipe card below):
  • graham cracker crumbs or graham crackers that have been crushed into crumbs
  • butter
  • sweetened condensed milk
  • milk chocolate chips
  • shredded sweetened coconut
  • chopped walnuts
  • butterscotch chips
  • white chocolate chips
  • 13" x 9" baking pan
  • parchment paper (optional) - makes cutting into neat squares easier
  • cooking spray - such as Pam

While you preheat your oven, you will layer all the ingredients in the baking pan and then bake as directed. Be sure to follow full instructions that are provided in the recipe card below. 


Hello Dolly bars (4) cut on a white plate ready to eat

Bake up a batch of Hello Dollie Bars and grab yourself  a cold glass of milk, then sit down and savor the flavor of a Hello Dolly dessert worth the calorie splurge!


Other "hello dolly recipes" desserts you will enjoy!



Frequently Asked Questions:


  • Do Hello Dolly Bars need to be refrigerated? No they do not need to be refrigerated. You can keep them in an airtight container on your counter for several days. In fact, I think they taste better the day after baking. 
  • Can I freeze Hello Dolly Bars? Yes, you can freeze Hello Dolly Bars. Cool and cut into squares. Wrap tightly in freeze wrap or aluminum foil and freeze for up to 3 months. Defrost on counter before eating. 



Hello Dolly Bars, Seven Layer Bars, Magic Cookie Bars
dessert, cookie, bar
American
Yield: 24 servings (1 bar per serving)
Author: Renee Paj
Hello Dolly Bars

Hello Dolly Bars

Prep time: 10 MinCook time: 30 MinInactive time: 4 HourTotal time: 4 H & 40 M
Not quite a cookie bar, not quite a candy bar, these rich treats are layered with graham cracker crust, white, butterscotch, and milk chocolate chips, coconut, and walnuts then drizzled with sweetened condensed milk.

Ingredients

  • 1 ½ cups graham cracker crumbs
  • ½ cup butter, melted
  • 1 (14 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
  • 1 cups milk chocolate chips
  • 1 cup chopped walnuts
  • 1 cup shredded coconut
  • ½ cup white chocolate chips
  • 1/2 cup butterscotch chips

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F
  2. Mix graham cracker crumbs and melted butter together in a bowl until evenly moistened; press into the bottom of a 9x13-inch baking dish. For neater cuts, line the pan with parchment paper, creating a sling to lift the bars out of the pan with prior to cutting.
  3. Pour 1/2 the can sweetened condensed milk over the graham cracker crust. Sprinkle milk chocolate chips, walnuts, coconut, white chocolate chips, and butterscotch chips over the graham cracker crust; gently press chocolate, nuts, and coconuts into the crust. Drizzle remaining 1/2 can of condensed milk over the top
  4. Bake in the preheated oven until fragrant and coconut is golden, 30 to 35 minutes. Cool completely before cutting into squares.

Notes:

Do not cut bars until they are completely cool. Depending on room temperature and what time of year it is, this could take up to 4 hours or more.

Nutrition Facts

Calories

185.85

Fat (grams)

13.01

Sat. Fat (grams)

6.67

Carbs (grams)

16.08

Fiber (grams)

1.11

Net carbs

14.97

Sugar (grams)

11.65

Protein (grams)

2.21

Sodium (milligrams)

78.55

Cholesterol (grams)

13.05

Nutritional Information provided is an estimate.

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Close up of Hello Dolly bar ready to eat.


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20 comments:

  1. I'm a total condiment hoarder! I can't help it....theres always those unique sauces/condiments you need for a specific recipe and then you forget you have it! These bars are beautiful

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  2. This looks great! I can't wait to see your Thanksgiving spread this year. :D

    I'm going to be making a lot of the desserts before Thanksgiving!

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    Replies
    1. thanks Grace! me too...I plan to make these and freeze them this week.

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  3. I love Hello Dolly Bars and make them every year for Christmas. Thanks for sharing at Simple Supper Tuesday.

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    Replies
    1. Funny, this is a new to me recipe, but I loved it! Thanks for stopping by! :)

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  4. My mom used to make these - but we called them 7 layer bars. They had half chocolate chips, half butterscotch chips, and everything else the same as this recipe. They're sinfully good!

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    Replies
    1. YES!! that is exactly what this recipe is like! :) and ya, they are so good its hard to eat just one!

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  5. These Hello Dolly bars look so delicious! My mother in law makes something really similar and they're always a huge hit! I would love it if you'd share this at my Frugal Crafty Home Blog Hop--we love seeing sweet recipes like this!

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    Replies
    1. Thanks for the invite. I'd love to stop over and share!

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  6. Oh, hello! These look amazing! I love the original 7 Layer Magic bars, so I'm sure I would love these, as well. And don't worry--they're fat free! There is no extra charge for the fat...
    Thanks for sharing these today on the Daily Blog Boost! Pinning!

    ~ Brooke ~

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  7. These sound incredible although I'm curious why they're called Hello Dolly bars? Every time I hear Hello Dolly I start singing the song.

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  8. I've made these and don't choke, but they were actually too much for me. I know! Since when is anything to much for me? But I'm glad, because with pecan pie (the most evil of all pies) being my favorite, I really don't need help consuming calories during the holidays. LOL! Oh and I also collect way too many jams and sauces - it's so weird.

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    Replies
    1. We are definitely not alone in the condiment craze! lol

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  9. These look amazing. I love 7 layer bars and I bet these are delicious with that substitution of the butterscotch chips. Mmmm!

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  10. You should link this up on Pimp Your Pinterest this week! These look so yummy.

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