The Perfect Sweet Escape: Irresistible Dolly Bars Recipe

Sweet dreams come true with these irresistible dolly bars that capture childhood nostalgia in every delectable bite.

Layers of buttery graham cracker crust provide the perfect foundation for creamy goodness.

Coconut and chocolate chips create a magical combination that melts hearts instantly.

Condensed milk binds all the ingredients into a rich, decadent treat.

Southern kitchens have long celebrated these simple yet extraordinary dessert squares.

Comfort and joy blend seamlessly in this easy-to-make confection that everyone adores.

Why Dolly Bars Are an All-Time Classic

• Dive into No-Fuss Baking: This recipe offers an incredibly simple method with minimal prep steps, making it perfect for bakers of all skill levels.
• Celebrate Layered Deliciousness: Packed with multiple textures and flavors like chocolate chips, butterscotch, coconut, and pecans, these bars deliver a mouthwatering combination that appeals to everyone.
• Create Crowd-Pleasing Dessert: Dolly Bars are versatile treats suitable for potlucks, family gatherings, bake sales, or casual weekend snacking, guaranteed to impress with minimal effort.
• Enjoy Quick Kitchen Magic: With just a few basic ingredients and straightforward instructions, you can whip up these irresistible bars in less than an hour, making them an ideal last-minute dessert solution.

Dolly Bars Ingredient Guide

• Graham Cracker Crumbs: A sweet and crunchy base for the bars.
• Butter (Melted): Helps bind the crust together.

• Chocolate Chips: Adds rich chocolate flavor.
• Butterscotch Chips: Provides sweet, caramel-like notes.
• Shredded Coconut: Brings tropical texture and sweetness.
• Chopped Pecans: Offers nutty crunch and depth.

• Sweetened Condensed Milk: Creates a gooey, sweet layer that holds everything together.

Dolly Bars Prep Guide

Step 1: Prepare the Oven

Warm up your oven to 350°F. Grab a 9×13-inch baking pan and line it with parchment paper, letting the edges hang over the sides for easy bar removal.

Step 2: Create the Crunchy Base

Grab a mixing bowl and combine graham cracker crumbs with melted butter. Mix thoroughly until the mixture looks like damp sand. Press this mixture firmly and evenly across the bottom of the prepared pan, creating a solid foundation for your delectable bars.

Step 3: Build Delicious Layers

• Chocolate chips
• Butterscotch chips
• Shredded coconut
• Chopped pecans

Distribute them generously to ensure every bite will be packed with flavor.

Step 4: Drench with Sweet Goodness

Drizzle sweetened condensed milk all over the layered ingredients. Ensure the milk covers every nook and cranny of the delightful mixture.

Step 5: Bake to Golden Perfection

Slide the pan into the preheated oven. Bake for 25-30 minutes until the edges turn a beautiful golden brown and the center looks set and slightly firm.

Step 6: Cool and Serve

Remove the pan from the oven and let it cool completely on a wire rack. Once cooled, use the parchment paper handles to lift the entire batch out of the pan. Slice into squares and watch everyone’s eyes light up with excitement!

Bar Tips for Making Dolly Bars Totally Irresistible

• Choose Quality Ingredients: Select fresh, high-quality graham crackers, chocolate chips, and pecans for the best flavor and texture.
• Perfect Pan Preparation: Use parchment paper with overhang to ensure easy removal and clean cutting of bars without sticking.
• Achieve Even Layering: Distribute chocolate chips, butterscotch chips, coconut, and pecans carefully to create a consistent texture in every bite.
• Watch Baking Time Closely: Check bars at 25 minutes to prevent over-browning; golden edges indicate the perfect doneness.
• Store Smartly: Keep dolly bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days, or refrigerate for extended freshness.

Store Dolly Bars the Smart Way

• Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 5 days. Place parchment paper between layers to prevent sticking and maintain texture.
• Wrap individual bars tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe bag. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving.
• Keep bars at room temperature in a sealed container for 2-3 days. Avoid direct sunlight or heat to preserve quality.
• Warm bars briefly in the microwave for 10-15 seconds or place in a preheated oven at 300°F for 5 minutes to restore softness and enhance flavor.

Pairing Picks for Dolly Bars

Savor Sweet Sips: Pair these Dolly Bars with complementary beverages and treats that enhance their rich, layered flavors.

• Brew Bold Coffee Companion: Dark roast coffee cuts through the sweetness, balancing the bar's intense butterscotch and chocolate notes with its robust, slightly bitter profile.
• Match with Creamy Milk: Cold whole milk provides a smooth, cool contrast to the warm, gooey texture of the bars, creating a classic dessert experience that soothes and satisfies.
• Elevate with Dessert Wine: A sweet port or muscato wine amplifies the bars' caramel undertones, creating a luxurious dessert pairing that feels indulgent and sophisticated.
• Refresh with Herbal Tea: Chamomile or vanilla-infused tea offers a light, delicate counterpoint to the dense, rich bar, cleansing the palate between each decadent bite.

Dolly Bar Flavor Swaps

• Gluten-Free Deluxe: Replace graham cracker crumbs with gluten-free graham-style crackers or almond flour for a celiac-friendly version.
• Nutty Alternative: Swap pecans with almonds, walnuts, or sunflower seeds for different flavor profiles and added nutrition.
• Vegan Magic: Substitute sweetened condensed milk with coconut condensed milk and use dairy-free chocolate chips to create a plant-based treat that everyone can enjoy.
• Low-Sugar Option: Use sugar-free chocolate chips, reduce sweetened condensed milk quantity, and incorporate stevia or monk fruit sweetener for a diabetes-friendly dessert.

FAQs

• What are Dolly Bars made of?

Dolly Bars are a delightful dessert featuring a graham cracker crust topped with chocolate chips, butterscotch chips, shredded coconut, and chopped pecans, all bound together with sweetened condensed milk and baked until golden.

• Are Dolly Bars the same as Magic Bars?

Yes, Dolly Bars are essentially identical to Magic Bars, also known as Seven Layer Bars. They share the same basic ingredients and preparation method, just with slightly different names depending on the region or family recipe.

• Can I substitute ingredients in Dolly Bars?

Absolutely! You can swap pecans for other nuts like walnuts or almonds, use different types of chocolate chips, or replace coconut with additional nuts or dried fruit to customize the bars to your taste.

• Do Dolly Bars need to be refrigerated?

While they can be stored at room temperature in an airtight container for 3-4 days, refrigerating them can help them stay fresh longer and provide a firmer texture when served chilled.

Dolly Bars Recipe

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4.7 from 18 reviews

• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Dolly bars bring pure Southern comfort to your dessert table with layers of sweet, nutty goodness. Creamy coconut, rich chocolate, and buttery graham cracker crust combine for an irresistible treat you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
• 1 cup butterscotch chips
• 1 cup chopped pecans
• 1 cup shredded coconut

Crust Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter (melted)

Binding Ingredient:

• 1 (14 ounces/400 grams) can sweetened condensed milk

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Instructions

1. Prepare the baking environment by adjusting the oven rack to the middle position and warming the oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Create a foolproof removal system by lining a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper, ensuring extended edges for easy extraction.
3. Craft the foundational crust by thoroughly blending graham cracker crumbs with melted butter until the mixture achieves a consistent texture.
4. Compress the crumb mixture into the pan’s bottom, using firm, even pressure to establish a compact, uniform base layer.
5. Construct a delectable layered landscape by evenly distributing chocolate chips, butterscotch chips, shredded coconut, and chopped pecans across the graham cracker foundation.
6. Generously cascade sweetened condensed milk over the entire surface, ensuring complete coverage of the chip and nut medley.
7. Transfer the pan to the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, watching for a golden-brown perimeter and a solidified central region.
8. Remove from the oven and allow the bars to cool completely on a wire rack, permitting the layers to set and stabilize.
9. Utilize the parchment paper handles to gently lift the entire dessert from the pan, then slice into symmetrical squares for serving.

Notes

• Adjust chip varieties to match personal taste preferences or dietary needs, like using dark chocolate for less sweetness or vegan chips for plant-based options.
• Ensure graham cracker crust is packed tightly to prevent crumbling and create a solid base for layered ingredients.
• Toast pecans briefly before adding to enhance their nutty flavor and provide a more complex, roasted undertone to the bars.
• Substitute coconut with oats or crushed pretzels for those who dislike or are allergic to coconut, maintaining the recipe’s textural complexity.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 290
• Sugar: 22g
• Sodium: 60mg
• Fat: 16g
• Saturated Fat: 8g
• Unsaturated Fat: 7g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 35g
• Fiber: 1g
• Protein: 3g
• Cholesterol: 20mg