When I was little, I only knew seven layer bars as being “birthday bars.” You see, my dad isn’t a huge fan of cake. So, when his birthday rolled around, he always asked for a pan of these bars instead of a birthday cake. I don’t blame him. With the graham cracker crust, rich sweetened condensed milk, and mixture of chips and coconut, these bars are just as good as cake.
It wasn’t until I went to school and they were on the menu that I realized these bars had another name! However, if you were to come to my house, you would still hear them called “birthday bars!” This weekend we went up to my parents for Easter, and we had an early celebration of my dad’s birthday. Of course, these “birthday bars”/seven layer bars were on the menu! It had been a couple of years since we had made it to my parent’s to celebrate his birthday, so I was looking forward to having these bars again!
I don’t know why I don’t make them more frequently. They are super easy to make with hardly any prep work or dirty dishes! (Which is always a huge plus!) My family isn’t a big fan of butterscotch, so these seven layer bars have peanut butter chips instead of butterscotch chips. That’s the other great thing about these bars, they are super versatile to meet the tastes of everyone. Use whatever chips and nuts your family and friends like!
- 2½ C graham cracker crumbs
- ¾ C butter, melted
- 1 (14 oz) can sweetened condensed milk
- 1¼ C sweetend shredded coconut
- 1 C chocolate chips
- 1 C peanut butter chips
- 1 C chopped pecans
- Preheat oven to 350.
- In a bowl, mix together graham cracker crumbs and butter. Press mixture into the bottom of a 9x13 baking dish.
- Pour sweetened condensed milk over the top.
- Sprinkle half of coconut over sweetened condensed milk. Top with chocolate chips, peanut butter chips and chopped nuts. Sprinkle remaining coconut on top.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes or until coconut begins to brown and edges are golden.
- Allow to cool for 15-20 minutes before cutting into pieces and serving.
This recipe is linked with Strut Your Stuff Saturday, Time to Sparkle, Weekend Potluck, What’s Cookin’ Wednesday, What’s in Your Kitchen Wednesday.
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Tieghan says
Loving everything coconut these days! These look great!
Erin @ Texanerin Baking says
I hope you had a fun time celebrating Easter and your dad’s birthday on the weekend!
I’ve never had seven layer bars but they sound really interesting. And love that these were on the menu at your school! I was a packed lunch kid but everyone else got wacky cake with their school lunch. Poor little me and my lack of school cafeteria wacky cake. It’s terrible, right? 😉
Meghan {For the Love of Dessert} says
I’m not really sure how it originated, but my mom refers to these as “big butt bars.” As in, that’s the title on her recipe card. I never thought anything of it either, although I think “birthday bar” is a bit more pc than calling something a “big butt bar” and I probably sounded totally weird. Either way, I totally love these too, and I agree, should make them more often! I never do.. maybe because of the name and.. now that I don’t have to call them “big butt bars” it’s less awkward.
Cookin Canuck says
I can never turn down a good seven layer bar, and these look fantastic. I love that you call them birthday bars.
Kayle (The Cooking Actress) says
Awww that’s so cute!!!
I’ve actually never had 7 layer bars before but oooh I need to!
sarah k @ the pajama chef says
what a great birthday tradition in your family!
Carla @ Carlas Confections says
That’s so nice you got to spend some of the weekend with your parents! Happy birthday to your dad 🙂 And these birthday bars look fantastic!!!
Suzanne says
These bars are one of my sister-in-laws favorite bars. Happy birthday to your dad!
Valerie @ From Valerie's Kitchen says
These are such a classic and so quick and easy to throw together. Have a great week Jessica 🙂
Michelle says
I love 7 layer bars!
Nicole @ The Marvelous Misadventures of a Foodie says
I’m right there with your Dad – I don’t like cake either so I always prefer some sort of bar/brownie or cheesecake for my birthday 🙂
I’ve only had seven layer bars one (I KNOW!) but they were quite scrumptious – but I think throwing peanut butter chips in there like you do would really make them tasty!
Dorothy @ Crazy for Crust says
If I made these frequently, I’d be 1,000 pounds. I love these Jessica!
Erin @ Table for 7 says
Oh..these are beautiful! Pinned to make them very soon 🙂
New reader to your site..it’s lovely, can’t wait to check out more of your recipes!
Tanya says
I always wonder why I don’t make them more often too! Wonderful birthday bars Jessica!
Elizabeth @ Confessions of a Baking Queen says
Yum Jessica! I love recipes that bring back childhood memories.. these bars will never get old!
Jen @ Savory Simple says
I don’t know if I’ve ever had seven layer bars but they look awesome. No wonder your dad likes them!
Joanne says
I grew up thinking these were called magic bars! For obvious reasons. They taste…magical. Seven layers of sheer awesome.
Tracey says
I have seriously never had a seven-layer (birthday) bar in my life and just glancing at the ingredients I know I’m missing out! Definitely need to try these asap!
Alice (@mumsmakelists) says
These look scrumptious!
Would love for you to link this and your other cookie recipes up at my new Empty Your Archive link party – there is a focus this week on cookies, Alice
ashley - baker by nature says
I’m such a sucker for 7 layer bars! Swooning.
sally @ sallys baking addiction says
my sister isn’t a huge fan of cake either! we always had different desserts for her birthday. 7 layer bars make a wonderful birthday bar!
Ramona says
I adore these kind of bar cookies… those flakes of coconut… YUM!
amy @ fearless homemaker says
Ooh, I absolutely love bars like this + i love that they’re called “birthday bars” in your house – too cute!