One of my favorite “sweet treat” recipes on my blog is the recipe for Easy Layer Bars.
Some people call them 7-layer bars — but I prefer “Easy Layer Bars” because often, they don’t really have 7 layers and that bugs me. Plus, they really are just SO easy to whip up. I make at least one or two batches every month, cut them up into small bars, and divide them up into small containers for the freezer. Then, when we run out, we just pull another container out of the freezer.
I love that the ingredients in this recipe are so easy to mix and match — I just use whatever sweet and salty toppings I have in my house.
However, the other day, I didn’t have any graham crackers… so I started looking through my pantry for something I could substitute to make the crust. I found a package of WhoNu? cookies. These cookies are good, but nothing in comparison to Oreos, so Dave and I weren’t eating them as ferociously as we would eat Oreos.
So I figured that since Oreos are used in place of graham crackers for pie crusts and desserts, why not use up our WhoNu? cookies before they went stale?
The result… totally delicious, Chocolate Easy Layer Bars!
I’ve already made them two more times (with regular Oreos as that’s all we had) so our freezer is stocked!
Seriously, these are SO good!
Recipe for Chocolate Easy Layer Bars:
To print this recipe, click the Clean Print button at the top of the post.
Ingredients For the Crust
- 2 c. crushed Oreo or WhoNu? cookies
- 1/2 c. melted butter
Ingredients For the Topping
- 2 c. any variety of chocolate, butterscotch, white chocolate, or peanut butter chips
- 1/2 c. chopped nuts
- 1 c. sweetened, shredded coconut
- 1 16 oz. can sweetened condensed milk
Directions
- Melt butter in a medium bowl
- Add cookie crumbs and mix well
- Press crumb mixture into a 9″ x 13″ pan
- Sprinkle sweet and salty toppings of your choice over the crust (adding shredded coconut last)
- Pour sweetened condensed milk over the top — covering as evenly as possible
- Bake at 350*F for 25 minutes or until coconut is toasted
- Cut into bars and enjoy now or freeze for later
I think one of my favorite things about this dessert is that it LOOKS so fancy and time-consuming, even though it usually only takes about 15 minutes of hands-on work before I put it in the oven!
What’s your choice… chocolate or graham cracker crust?
Visit my virtual recipe box for more simple, delicious, family friendly, recipes!
Allie says
So, I’m allergic to coconut. What would you recommend as a substitute? These look really yummy!
All I need to know is a substitute for coconut.
Andrea says
Sorry Allie, I’m not super great with allergy substitutions so I really don’t know what to sugset?
Lauren {Rustic Honey} says
Is there really any question… why not both chocolate and graham crackers?!? These look delicious and very moist! Thanks for sharing!
Jennifer says
I just made a variation of these using what I had on hand, and they are delicious!
Girl Scout Shortbread Cookies (Crust)
Dark Chocolate and Mint Chip Mix
Semi-Sweet Milk Chocolate Chips
Emerald Cocoa Roast Almonds (Nuts)
Came out great!
Andrea says
wow — look how creative you are! those sound very yummy… and now I might just need to get some Girl Scout Cookies 🙂
Andrea from Tn says
Try saltines for the bottom layer. I love the contrasting flavor the salt gives the whole thing.
Jen says
SIx layer cookies in our house! They are always a huge hit. I’m thinking the cookie crust would make them way too sweet for me. But I LOVE to add some butterscotch chips in with the chocolate chips. Very yummy!
Frank and Marla @ Jewelry Holders For You says
They look and sound so yummy! Such a great idea to freeze and have for unexpected company <3 As soon as I know I can get rid of these quickly – I'm going to make them! I just want ONE piece lol
Amber says
Does anyone have a suggestion to replace the coconut?These sound fabulous except for that. I have tried & tried, but I just don’t like coconut. Not the taste nor the texture, so I’m wondering of they would be horrible if I just left it out. 🙂
Deb says
I would just leave it out……..
Andrea says
You could just leave it off — but if you ever make these bars for company or for a potluck, I would definitely include the coconut because it adds a lot of flavor 🙂
Kristen says
I do not like coconut at all, but for some reason the flavor doesn’t bother me one bit in these cookies. Maybe because it’s toasted, or because it’s mixed with so many other things? You could try making half with and half without to see how you like it!
Jenny C. says
Andrea, do you include the white cream center when you crush the cookies?
Andrea says
yes, just smash up the entire cookie. The creamy stuff is what holds it together really well!!
Cindy says
Hahaha! I sat there pulling the middles out! But it was still yummy!
Alicia says
Think my list for the grocery store trip on the way home from work just got a bit longer. I’ve had these before but I think I’m going to like the sandwich cookie crust better. If not, we’ll still eat them.
Andrea says
you’ll love it!! And if not, I’ll take them off your hands 🙂
Cindy says
Oh my word. Why am I at work at not at home so that I can run to the kitchen and make these? YUM!!!
Kelly says
I like to use crushed pretzels for crusts like this the best but the chocolate does look yummy I’ll have to try that soon.
Barb says
These look and sound delicious. I can’t wait to try them. Thanks for the recipe!
Deb says
I always call these Magic Bars, don’t know why……….
Liz says
Yup. Magic cookie bars over here. I typically only make them around the holidays cause they’re not exactly healthy. Lol
Deb says
No, that is the magic part, all those bad ingredients and NO calories…..