Chewy Holiday Seven Layer Bar Squares with Healthy Substitutions

Christmas brings up so many fond memories. Food in particular is a holiday tradition. My Meme used to make seven layer bars every holiday, she is 95 now so that does not happen anymore. I am honored to share a recipe with you that is a family tradition. Use red and green M&M's in place of chocolate chips for a festive holiday treat.

My grandmother's recipe uses butterscotch chips but I substitute those and use chocolate Heath chips instead. I have used and know that many other options are great to try. This recipe is so easy and substitutions are simple. The chocolate chips can be substituted with white chocolate chips if there are allergies to chocolate. Use granola or rice crisp cereal in place of nuts if you have a nut allergy.

I spray the heck out of the pan with cooking spray instead of using foil because I find that the foil sticks to the bars. Also it says cook 25 minutes but I don't take the seven layer bars out of the oven until the sweetened condensed milk bubbles through to the top of the cookies. You just have to watch them so they don't burn. I think mine were in for about 30 minutes.

Once the seven layer bars cool and you have cut them into pieces, they pack and store well. I line cookie tins with wax paper and give these luscious treats as a holiday or hostess gift.

Makes aproximately 36

1/2 cup butter
1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs. Crushed ginger snaps or vanilla wafers work well, too!
1 14-oz. can sweetened condensed milk
1 cup butterscotch flavored chips
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips. Use red and green M&M's instead of chocolate chips for a festive look.
1 1/3 cups flaked coconut
1 cup chopped pecans. Other nuts like crushed almonds or chopped walnuts can be substituted.

Preheat oven to 350°. Line a 13x9-inch baking pan with a sheet of foil, making sure to cover the sides extremely well. This is a sticky recipe so if you choose not to line the pan with foil then spray your pan extra heavily with non stick cooking spray. Place the butter in the baking pan and melt it in the oven so that it coats the bottom evenly. Sprinkle crumbs over butter and spread them out uniformly; pour sweetened condensed milk evenly over the top of the crumbs. Top with remaining ingredients in order listed and then press down all ingredients firmly with fork. Bake for 25 minutes or until lightly browned. Cool. Chill if desired. Cut into bars. Store covered at room temperature.

Calories: 257 | Total Fat: 14.6g | Cholesterol: 16mg

If you have enjoyed this recipe, you may also like my Granola Bar Recipe.

Try these recommendations for more cookie and bars: