Hello Dollies are the one dessert we can all agree on…as long as I make two flavors!!

You may also know Hello Dollies as Magic Layer Bars or 7 Layer Magic Cookie Bars. The Hello Dolly name seems to be a reference to a scene from Hello Dolly on Broadway. You can read more in this article here.

The classic Hello Dollies recipe includes a graham cracker crust layered with chocolate chips, coconut flakes, nuts, and condensed milk. Eagle Brand shares their recipe on their site but I’m sharing a few twists here. These bars are absolutely delicious, decadent, and soo easy to make!!

There are many variations you can make to Hello Dollies. For example, you can make them with an Oreo crumb crust. You can use half butterscotch chips and half chocolate chips. Omit the nuts or use pecans instead of walnuts. Use dates instead of chocolate chips. Add Cadbury Mini Eggs or colored M&Ms for a festive look. Add colorful sprinkles. I could go on, but you get the idea: add your topping of choice and get creative.

One of my best friend’s mothers makes these Hello Dollies with dates and walnuts.  They’re somewhat healthier because the recipe calls for dates instead of chocolate chips. Calorie-wise, there’s not much of a difference, but when you’re talking about Hello Dollies, you’re not counting any calories, trust me!

Recently, I wanted to make Hello Dollies with dates, but the family wanted them with chocolate chips and butterscotch chips. So, I compromised and made a 9 by 13 inch tray that had dates on one side and chocolate chips on the other. The dates are on a graham cracker crust, the chocolate/butterscotch chips are on an Oreo crumb base.

I’m going to include both recipes for you in this post. If you want to do a tray that is half and half like I did, you just cut each recipe below in half and follow the photos included here. Truth be told, the date Hello Dollies were a hit as well!

Here are the recipes:

Hello Dollies (classic recipe with chocolate chips)

Ingredients:

• 6 T butter
• 1 c graham cracker crumbs or  1 1/2 c Oreo cookie crumbs
• 1 c chocolate chips (or 1/2 c chocolate chips and 1/2 c butterscotch chips)
• 1 c sweetened flaked coconut
• 1 c chopped walnuts (optional)
• 1 300 g (10 oz) sweetened condensed milk

Method:

• Preheat oven to 350
• Melt the butter in the 9 by 13 inch pan by placing it in the hot oven
• Remove from oven and add the graham cracker or Oreo crumbs. Mix and spread evenly and smoothly in the bottom of the pan
• Sprinkle the chocolate chips, nuts, and coconut evenly across the base
• Pour the condensed milk on top
• Bake for 25-30 minutes until golden
• Allow to fully cool before cutting into squares with a sharp knife

Hello Dollies With Dates:

Ingredients:

• 6 T butter
• 1 c graham cracker crumbs
• 2 c pitted dates
• 1 c sweetened flaked coconut
• 1 c chopped walnuts
• 1 300 g (10 oz) sweetened condensed milk

Method:

• Preheat oven to 350
• Melt the butter in the 9 by 13 inch pan by placing it in the hot oven
• Remove from oven and add the graham cracker crumbs. Mix and spread evenly and smoothly in the bottom of the pan
• Take the dates and splay them so they’re flat OR leave them at double thickness if that’s what you want. Line the dates next to each other on top of the crust, and in rows.
• Sprinkle the chocolate chips, nuts, and coconut evenly across the base
• Pour the condensed milk on top
• Bake for 25-30 minutes until golden
• Allow to fully cool before cutting them into squares with a sharp knife

Notes:

• Increase the chocolate chip amount and the coconut amount to 1 1/3 c if you want a richer bar.
• Check the squares at 15 minutes and rotate the pan if your oven is uneven.
• For better cutting and presentation results, spray bottom of pan with oil and place parchment paper on top of the oil-sprayed base. Melt the butter in a separate bowl and mix in the graham crackers. Spread evenly over the parchment paper. When cool, lift the Hello Dollies out with the parchment paper and cut. Be careful when lifting out the bars – you may wish to use a spatula to support the base.

Have you made Hello Dollies before? How do you like to be creative with your version?

Enjoy!

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