8 layer magic bars pile a buttery graham crust with chocolate and butterscotch chips, pecans, coconut and crunchy puffed rice cereal. Then get a generous pour of sweetened condensed milk before baking. Everything comes from the pantry, so you can be ready to bake in about five minutes.
8 Layer Magic Bars
8 Layer Magic Bars is one level up from the traditional 7 layer Magic Bars. It consists of a buttery graham cracker crust topped with layers of chocolate chips, butterscotch chips, coconut, chopped nuts, crispy cereal and then finished off with a blanket of sweetened condensed milk. They are the perfect make-ahead dessert for your next party!
My Mom made these 8 layer magic bars for my family on special occasions growing up. We always knew when a holiday was coming we would get to indulge in these decadent bars. To this day she stills makes them as a sweet treat for family and friends!
I've been eating and sharing these bars with family and friends for years when I say you NEED to try them, I really mean it! They are a great dessert to make with the kids too. Get them to help out with layering all the goodies into these bars.
They may look like a basic layered bar with a graham cracker crust but over the years my Mom has perfected the ultimate blend of melty chocolatey, flakey coconut, crispy puffed rice cereal all covered in gooey sweetened condensed milk. Ok now I'm drooling writing this and think I'll go make myself another batch!
What are Magic Bars?
8 layer magic bars are a one-pan dessert with no mixer and no dough, just stacked ingredients that bake together into a chewy, crunchy bar. They are an extra-loaded take on seven layer bars, which are also known as Hello Dolly bars.
What is in 8 Layer Magic Bars?
8 Layers of MAGIC
- Graham Cracker Crumbs and Butter - crumbs tossed with melted butter and pressed into a firm base.
- Chocolate and Butterscotch Chips - any chocolate in your cupboard will do, but don't skip the butterscotch, which gives these their signature taste.
- Pecans and Coconut - pecans bring a mellow crunch and unsweetened coconut adds a hint of the tropics. Swap in another nut if you prefer.
- Puffed Rice Cereal - this extra layer brings crispness to the top and is what makes them 8 layers instead of 7.
- Sweetened Condensed Milk - poured over the top, it bakes into a sticky, caramel-style layer that holds each layer in place. Check the label so you don't grab evaporated milk.
How to Make 8 Layer Magic Bars
Full Printable Recipe at Bottom of Page
Check out my short video tutorial here
1 Preheat oven to 350°F. Spray a 9x13 inch baking pan with cooking spray or line with parchment paper (using parchment paper makes it easier to slice because you can lift the whole thing out). Set aside.
2 Stir the melted butter and graham cracker crumbs together. Press into the bottom of the baking pan to form the crust by pressing with your fingers, the base of a flat-bottomed cup, or back of a spoon.
3 Evenly sprinkle remaining ingredients one by one over the crust to form layers in the order listed in the ingredients. Slowly and carefully, pour the sweetened condensed milk evenly over the entire top layer of crispy cereal.
4 Bake for 25-30 minutes until edges are golden brown and the middle is set.
5 Cool 1-2 hours. If using parchment paper, carefully lift the parchment paper out of the pan and slice the bars into 24 pieces, or slice directly in the pan.
Enjoy!
Tips and Storage
- Use Parchment - lifting the entire slab out of the pan gives you tidier slices.
- Pack the Base Tightly - a firmly pressed crust helps the bars stay intact when cut.
- Pour with Patience - a slow, even pour gets condensed milk to the corners and edges so every bite holds together.
- Read the Label - sweetened condensed and evaporated milk come in similar cans, and only the sweetened one works.
- Wait Until Fully Cool - warm bars are too soft and will crumble when cut.
- Keep the Butterscotch - swap the chocolate if you like, but butterscotch gives these their signature flavor.
FAQs
No need. Enjoy them at room temperature, or give a bar a few seconds in the microwave for a gooier texture.
Place them in an airtight container with wax or parchment paper between the layers. On the counter they stay soft and keep for about 3 - 5 days. In the fridge they turn firm and chewy and last up to a week.
Yes! Bake them a day early, since the flavor improves overnight.
Wrapped well with parchment between layers, cut bars freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw them in the fridge.
Seven layer bars usually have a cookie crumb crust, chips, nuts, coconut and sweetened condensed milk. Ours adds crispy puffed rice cereal as an eighth layer.
Usually they were cut too soon. Let them cool all the way, press the crust down firmly and pour the milk evenly over the top.
No. Sweetened condensed milk is thick and sugary, and it bakes into the sticky layer that holds everything together. Evaporated milk is not a substitute.
A 9x13 inch pan. It makes 24 bars.
Try white chocolate or peanut butter chips, marshmallows, dried fruit, toffee bits, M&M candies or a drizzle of caramel.
Looking for More Easy Desserts
- Cookie Dough Cheesecake Bars
- Maple Pecan Butter Tarts
- Hot Chocolate Rice Krispie Treats
- Pretzel Christmas Crack
- Toffee Whipped Shortbread Cookies
- Gingerbread Cheesecake Bars
Enjoy!
- Sab
Ultimate Eight Layer Magic Bars
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 cups graham cracker crumbs
- ½ cup unsalted butter (1 stick) (melted)
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1 cup butterscotch chips
- 1 cup pecans (chopped)
- 1 cup shredded coconut (unsweetened)
- 2 cups puffed rice cereal (preferably, Rice Krispies)
- 1 can sweetened condensed milk (300mL)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Spray a 9x13 inch baking pan with cooking spray or line with parchment paper (using parchment paper makes it easier to slice). Set aside.
- Stir the melted butter and graham cracker crumbs together. Press into the bottom of the baking pan to form the crust by pressing with your fingers, the base of a flat-bottomed cup, or back of a spoon.
- Evenly sprinkle remaining ingredients one by one over the crust to form layers in the order listed in the ingredients. Slowly and carefully, pour the sweetened condensed milk evenly over the entire top layer of crispy cereal.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes until edges are golden brown and the middle is set.
- Cool 1-2 hours. If using parchment paper, carefully lift the parchment paper out of the pan and slice the bars into 24 pieces, or slice directly in the pan.
- Enjoy!
Ana says
This were so amazing! Love your site and recipes. Can’t wait to try more.