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The first time I discovered the butterscotch-y, caramelized sweetened condensed milk wonder that are Seven Layer Bars, I…devoured 90 percent of the tray myself. Then proceeded to binge on baking them for every holiday, fighting with every ounce of willpower not to eat them all, (cue Celine Dion) all by myselllllf.
Then I discovered Chrissy Teigen‘s potato chip-topped riff in Cravings: All Together, and my passion was reignited to a scary degree. I began testing my own riffs, keeping the richness of the Oreo cookie base and crunch of the chips. The end result has more salty and umami notes, with a dash of rich cocoa flavor, featuring a complexity of textures (chewy! Gooey! Crunchy!).

This adaptation simply proves how versatile Seven Layer Bars (aka Magic Bars) are. The sweetened condensed milk and coconut are all musts; everything else can be swapped.

  • Not into the classic graham cracker base, or this modified Oreo one? Try any crumbled cookies, crackers—or maybe even a graham/pretzel blend—mixed with butter.
  • No semisweet chocolate chips? Try white chocolate, dark chocolate, butterscotch chips or M&Ms.
  • Any nuts can be used here, if you aren’t into pistachios (or don’t want to spend the $ on ’em)
  • Allergic to peanut butter? Dollops of sunbutter or almond butter work, or sub in a drizzle of caramel, hot honey or marshmallow creme, if you’re feeling feisty.
Oreo Seven Layer Bars recipe

Oreo-Potato Chip Seven Layer Bars

Inspired by Chrissy Teigen's PB & Potato Chip Seven Layer Bars
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Cooling time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 40 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 16 bars

Ingredients
  

  • 1 stick salted butter, melted
  • 1 package Oreo cookies
  • 1/3 c peanut butter
  • 1 1/3 c dark chocolate chips
  • 1 c shelled pistachios
  • 1 (14-oz) can sweetened condensed milk
  • 1 1/2 c sweetened shredded coconut
  • 1 1/2 c potato chips

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
  • Place the Oreos in a gallon-size resealable bag and smash with a rolling pin into fine crumbs (or pulse in a food processor for the same effect). Press the cookie mixture in an even layer along the bottom of the pan.
  • Place the peanut butter in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave for 20 seconds, stir, and drizzle along the cookie mixture. Sprinkle the chocolate chips and pistachios on top.
  • Separate out 1/4 cup of sweetened condensed milk. Set aside. Take the remaining sweetened condensed milk and drizzle it atop the cookie-chip-nut mixture. Crumble the potato chips and add them on top, along with the coconut. Drizzle the remaining sweetened condensed milk on top to help all of the layers combine.
  • Bake until the coconut is lightly golden and the sweetened condensed milk is bubbly, about 22 to 25 minutes. Cool completely before cutting and serving.
Keyword cookie bars

Author: candacebd

Candace Braun Davison is a writer, editor and recipe developer who divides her time between New York and Florida. She's written articles that have appeared in PureWow, Delish, House Beautiful, Cosmo, Elle, Esquire, Elle Decor, Veranda, Good Housekeeping and more. She's also published and contributed to multiple cookbooks, including a tailgate cookbook specifically designed for USF students. A portion of the proceeds benefitted student scholarships at the university.