From the Kitchens of Amy & JJ

The Seven layer bar – which we contest, is more like a 7 ingredient bar – is a beloved favorite of many Midwesterners. In this recipe, you will note there are 6 ingredients. In some recipes, nuts are added.

Valerie Nelson, who carried on the tradition of these bars from her mother Louise, was so kind to share her recipe – which we tried and give 5 stars! Let’s just say we are thankful she provided a photo of the bars to share, because we were too busy eating them to think of it. Enjoy! 

Seven Layer Bars

Preheat oven to 350 degrees

Melt 3 sticks of butter in a 16” x 11” x 1 ½” roasting pan

Finely crush 3 packages (1 box) of graham crackers and add to the melted butter.  Mix well with a fork and press mixture to the sides and bottom of the pan.

Over the graham cracker mixture sprinkle:

1 – 11 oz. pkg of butterscotch chips

1 – 11 oz. pkg of chocolate chips

Appx 7 oz. of coconut flakes

Next slowly pour 2 cans of sweetened condensed milk over the coconut – pouring one can back and forth in one direction and then pour the second can back and forth the other direction trying to cover as much coconut as possible.  You cannot spread the sweetened condensed milk with a spatula so it is important to pour slowly.

Bake in the preheated oven until light golden brown – approximately 30 to 35 minutes.  Do not overbake and watch closely as they will brown fast at the end of the baking cycle.  Remove from oven and cool before cutting into 2” squares.