Seven Layer Bars

This classic bar cookie is loaded with ingredients—chocolate chips, coconut, and nuts piled over a buttery graham cracker crust. After testing the original recipe (first published on a can of Eagle brand sweetened condensed milk), our tasters weren’t impressed—the coconut and nuts tasted raw, the crust was soggy, and the bars were dry. Here’s how we made improvements to this classic bar cookie:

Test Kitchen Discoveries

• To improve their flavor and texture, we pretoasted the coconuts and nuts.
• To add extra chocolate flavor, we drizzled melted milk chocolate over the hot crust.
• With all the ingredients piled on, the graham cracker crust can turn soggy and bland. We prebaked the crust to develop the crisp texture. Toffee bits added a buttery and salty flavor to the crust.