Whenever I’m craving something decadent but don’t want to spend hours in the kitchen, I turn to this Hello Dolly Cookie recipe.
The layers of chewy coconut, creamy chocolate, and gooey dulce de leche come together so effortlessly. It’s the perfect balance of flavors and textures—and a go-to treat for any sweet tooth!
You might know them as magic bars, hello dolly cookies, seven-layer bars, or even coconut dream bars. Although the name is hard to remember, this easy recipe with many different names is unforgettable!
The Hello Dolly cookie recipe has been around since the 1960s and has remained a family favorite for decades. These 7-layer bars are known for their buttery crust, chewy texture, and layers of chocolate, coconut, and cream.
While the original recipe has many different names, including magic cookies and layer cookies, one thing remains the same—this easy dessert is simple to make and absolutely delicious.
Why You'll Love This Hello Dolly Cookie Recipe
Quick and Easy: No mixer required, just layer and bake.
Perfect for Christmas Time: A classic holiday treat that belongs on cookie trays.
Customizable: Swap ingredients to make it your own.
Great for Group Events: Perfect for bake sales, potlucks, and gifting.
When to Serve Magic Cookie Bars
When I owned my bakery, we always added magic cookie bars to the menu during the holidays. It seems that people are a little more indulgent around Christmas time and the combination of coconut, chocolate, optional toasty pecans, and a buttery graham cracker crust just feels perfect for this time of year.
Ingredients for This Hello Dolly Cookie Recipe
Graham cracker crumbs – Forms the buttery crust; can use crushed vanilla wafers instead.
Stick of butter – Binds the crust together.
Semi-sweet chocolate chips – Swap with white chocolate, dark chocolate, or butterscotch chips.
Sweetened coconut flakes – Adds chewiness and toasty coconut flavor.
Pecans(optional) – Can be substituted with walnuts, almonds, or omitted.
Sweetened condensed milk – The glue that holds the bars together.
Tools You May Need
9x13-inch baking pan – The perfect size for these bars.
Mixing bowl – To combine graham cracker crumbs and melted butter.
Small bowl – For melting the stick of butter.
Plastic bag – To crush graham crackers if not using pre-crushed.
Sharp chef’s knife – For clean, precise cutting.
Aluminum foil or parchment paper – For easy removal from the baking pan.
Step-By-Step Instructions
In a mixing bowl, combine graham cracker crumbs with melted butter until evenly mixed. Press the mixture firmly into the lined baking pan.
Sprinkle semi-sweet chocolate chips evenly over the crust.
Add a layer of sweetened coconut flakes, followed by the optional chopped pecans.
Pour the entire can of sweetened condensed milk evenly over the top to bind the layers together.
Tips for Making Your Own Graham Cracker Crumbs
- Use one bundle of graham crackers
- Place the crackers in a gallon-size zip lock plastic bag.
- Crush them finely with a rolling pin for a uniform texture.
This will yield about 1 ½ cups of crumbs, which is the amount you need for this recipe.
How to Store Hello Dolly Cookies
Room Temperature: Store in an airtight plastic bag or container for up to 4 days.
Refrigerator: Keeps fresh for up to 2 weeks.
Freezer: Wrap bars in aluminum foil and store in an airtight container for up to 3 months.
To Serve: Let frozen bars thaw at room temperature or warm them up for a softer texture.
Variations of the Classic Hello Dolly Cookie Recipe
These bar cookies are highly adaptable. Try these fun variations:
- Change the Crust: Use vanilla wafers or shortbread cookies instead of layers of graham crackers.
- Swap the Chips: Try white chocolate, milk chocolate, butterscotch, or peanut butter chips.
- Make It Nut-Free: Skip the pecans and add toffee bits for crunch.
Add a Drizzle: After baking, drizzle with melted chocolate or dulce de leche.
FAQ's About This Hello Dolly Cookie Recipe
Can I make these bars ahead of time?
Yes! They store well and actually taste better after sitting for a day.
Do Hello Dolly bars need to be refrigerated?
No, but keeping them in the fridge extends their shelf life.
Can I use unsweetened coconut?
Yes, but the sweetened coconut flakes help balance the flavors.
What if my bars are too soft to cut?
Chill them in the fridge for 30 minutes before slicing.
Hello Dolly Cookie Bars
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups Graham cracker crumbs
- 1 stick Unsalted butter 1 stick, or 4 oz.
- 1 ½ cups Semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1 cup Coconut flakes
- 1 can Sweetened condensed milk Whole can, 14 oz
- 1 cup Pecans chopped
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°
- Prepare the baking dish by lightly spraying with nonstick spray and lining with parchment or aluminum paper.
- In a covered microwave-safe dish, melt butter for 45 seconds.
- Combine the graham cracker crumbs and melted butter, then spread evenly and press mixture into the bottom of the pan to create the base layer.
- For the rest of the ingredients, spread the semi-sweet chocolate chips evenly on top of the graham cracker layer. Top evenly with the coconut, and add optional chopped pecans.
- Drizzle the entire can of Eagle-sweetened condensed milk over the baking dish, making sure that everything is evenly distributed.
- Bake at 350 degrees for 25-30 minutes or until the top is golden brown with toasty coconut.
- Allow to cool completely before cutting into 18-24 servings.
Notes
- To Freeze: Allow the bars to cool completely, then cut them into individual servings. Wrap each portion tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil, and place them in an airtight container or freezer bag. Label with the date and contents before placing in the freezer. Frozen bars can be stored for up to three months. When ready to enjoy, simply thaw them in the refrigerator overnight or at room temperature for a few hours before serving.
- Shelf Life: When stored properly in an airtight container at room temperature, these decadent bars can maintain their freshness for up to one week.
- Individual Desserts: Using individual mini dessert pans or cupcake tins is a perfect for creating single servings of these delicious bars. Simply layer the ingredients in each mini pan or cupcake tin, pressing down gently, and bake according to the recipe instructions. Keep an eye on the baking time, as smaller portions may require less time in the oven.
Try this Hello Dolly cookie recipe the next time you bake
Every time I bake this sweet treat I am reminded of why I love it so much! It's so quick and easy to make but it tastes like you’ve been in the kitchen all day.
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More Recipes to Try
While you're here, check out some of my favorite Christmas recipes:
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