These seven layer bars are the most decadent and delicious dessert – you won’t even be able to tell they are dairy-free/vegan/gluten-free friendly!
Best Ever Seven Layer Bars
A little twist on a classic recipe!
Now, I am not saying I have made these so healthy you should have one for breakfast (but you guys know I don’t judge), but the ingredients will be a little less jarring on your system. I changed out the sweetened condensed milk for a dairy-free version and I couldn’t even tell the difference in the final product.
I also changed out the coconut for the unsweetened kind (again, you ultimately can’t tell the difference). And, while I still used graham crackers (I recommend a healthier brand such as Annie’s), I swapped out the butter for vegan butter. And I omitted the butterscotch chips all together – maybe if someone came up with an almond-butter chip or even a 100% peanut butter chip that would okay, but I couldn’t find anything like that! They turned out SO GOOD!
What you will need:
- dairy-free sweetened condensed coconut milk
- graham crackers (use gluten-free if you want)
- vegan butter (measure solid, not melted)
- dairy-free chocolate chips
- crushed pistachios
- crushed walnuts
- unsweetened coconut flakes
Dairy-Free Sweetened Condensed Milk
For this recipe I just used this brand of dairy-free sweetened condensed coconut milk . You can make dairy-free sweetened condensed milk on your own (there are lots of great recipes out there, but this is what I used to test this recipe with!
Gluten-Free Option
Feel free to use some gluten-free graham crackers in place of regular ones!
How to Make Seven Layer Bars
Combine vegan butter and graham crackers.
Add to parchment-lined pan.
Press down, bake and then let cool.
Add toppings.
Pour dairy-free sweetened condensed milk over top.
Add more toppings on top of that.
Bake.
Let cool and then pull out by the parchment tabs on each side.
Enjoy!
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Seven Layer Bars
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 9 servings 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Oven
- Cuisine: American
Description
Seven Layer Bars (Vegan + Gluten-Free Friendly) – The most decadent and delicious dessert – you won’t even be able to tell they are dairy-free/vegan!
Ingredients
Crust:
- 1 1/4 cup crushed graham crackers, gluten-free
- 1/2 cup vegan butter, melted (measure solid, not melted)
Topping:
- 11.25oz can dairy-free sweetened condensed coconut milk
- 3/4 cup dairy-free chocolate chips
- 1/2 cup crushed pistachios, shelled
- 1/2 cup crushed walnuts
- 1/3 cup unsweetened coconut flakes
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
- Cut a piece of parchment that will fit across your pan with parts overhanging on each side – these will allow you to pop out the bars after they have cooled.
- Combine crushed graham crackers and melted vegan butter in a small bowl.
- Pour into 8×8 or 9×9 pan (with parchment) and press firmly into the bottom, ensuring it covers the entire pan.
- Bake for 10 minutes and let cool. I recommend placing in the fridge for 10 minutes so it cools faster.
- Layer coconut flakes, chocolate chips and pistachios on top, leaving a small amount of each item to sprinkle on the top later.
- Pour dairy-free sweetened condensed milk on top, spreading it to make sure it covers everything evenly, and then sprinkle your leftover ingredients on top of that.
- Bake at 350 degrees F. for 25-30 minutes.
- Let cool and then place in fridge to set, preferably overnight.
Notes
- Dairy-Free Sweetened Condensed Coconut Milk: here what I used in this recipe.
- Graham Crackers: If you aren’t gluten-free, regular graham crackers work too!
- Crust: If after you mix up the crushed graham cracker and the melted vegan butter it feels too wet, just crush up another graham cracker and add it in.
Kristy Ott says
These bars are absolutely amazing! Thank you for this amazing recipe, everyone must try these!
Katie says
I literally make these for every holiday. They are the number one requested dessert by my family and friends. So good!!!
Erin says
So happy to hear that, Katie!!! And thank you so much for taking the time to come back and leave a review – I really appreciate it!
Tracy Brooks says
These were great and the family loved them.
Danielle says
Absolutely delicious! Everyone in the family loved them. This will definitely become a holiday tradition.
Julia says
Does anyone have a suggestion for what you could replace the pistachios with? There are peanut, cashew, and pistachio allergies I need to be careful of. Thanks in advance!
Erin says
would a walnut work?
Linda says
These are the best for making for company – everyone loves them ! Decadent for sure !
Molly Wisehart says
Very easy and delish recipe!
Robyn says
Can these bars be made ahead and frozen? Do they get soggy when thawed?
Erin says
Yes, they can be frozen – I have done it several times with success!
Kayla says
I have made these bars twice now and they are so delicious! Easy to make, tons of flavour! Thank you for sharing.
Erin says
So glad you are enjoying these – they are a favorite of mine too! Thanks, Kayla!
Jen says
Do you have the nutritional value available?
Erin says
Hi Jen: we are working on adding nutrition to our recipes this year, but it is quite the undertaking! We have them soon – thanks for your patience!
Olivia says
Can’t wait to try this recipe. Could I use sweet condensed milk rather than the coconut condensed milk? Thank you!
Erin says
Hi Olivia! Yes, you can definitely use regular sweetened condensed milk if you prefer! Enjoy!
Shelley says
These were always a childhood favorite of mine that my best friend’s mom made often. So between the sweet, salty and nostalgia- they are delicious and hit the spot!
Erin says
so glad you enjoyed them, Shelley! They are a favorite of mine as well! Thanks for coming back to leave a review 🙂
Katie says
OUTSTANDING!!! Made these for a family cook out this weekend. They were an absolute hit!!! My boyfriend won’t stop eating them he said they are the best dessert I’ve ever made!!!
Erin says
So happy you (and your boyfriend) enjoyed these, Katie! 🙂 and thank you so much for taking the time to leave feedback – I really appreciate it!
Angela says
Made these for my coworkers and they were a big hit! Perfectly balanced between salty and sweet. Yum!
Erin says
So glad you enjoyed them, Angela! And thank you so much for taking the time to leave a review + comment – I really appreciate it!
Lauren Marie says
Made this recipe as soon as Erin posted it and WOW–so so good and incredibly simple! Erin suggests letting them sit overnight but I was too impatient to wait and they were still delish! Most of the ingredients I always have on hand so it would be great last minute if you need a sweet treat and you could easily swap out items if you have something else similar! Don’t hesitate to make these, they will NOT disappoint!
Erin says
Thank you so much, Lauren!! I really appreciate the feedback and I am SO glad you enjoyed them. (Now I need to work on those Trail Mix Seven Layer Bars we talked about !). 🙂