These rich, chocolate chip sweetened condensed milk bar recipe is so good! Shortbread bottom, fudgy sweetened condensed middle with a chocolate chip cookie crumble top. If you love a buttery, rich, chocolate bar–you will LOVE these. They would make a great holiday dessert recipe to share with a crowd.
Some other names for these chocolate bars with sweetened condensed milk may be a Magic Bar, Seven Layer Bar or Hello Dolly Bar–but a difference is, that these do not have nuts or coconut in them (you could technically add them if you wish!)
Why you will love these bars
- if you are a chocolate lover- you will love these. They have plenty of rich, chocolatey, goodness in them.
- they feed a crowd
- simple ingredients that most usually already have in the pantry
Ingredients in Sweetened Condensed Milk Bars
- butter. A whole lot of butter (3 sticks to be exact). I don’t like to think about how much fat is in these bars- they are the kind of gooey, chocolate, bars that you share with friends at work or at a holiday gathering- so you aren’t tempted to eat the entire, buttery, rich pan–because you will WANT to!
- flour – all purpose
- sugar
- salt
- sweetened condensed milk – this MAKES the recipe. It makes it so delicious. I used an off-brand condensed milk and it turned out perfectly. I usually use Great Value brand.
- chocolate chips – milk chocolate
How to make cookie bars with sweetened condensed milk
How to make these bars
- Make the shortbread crust
First, you’re going to make the shortbread crust. Make sure the butter is room temperature- if it is not, defrost it in the microwave for a minute or two. Then, use your mixer to cream the butter. Once it is creamed, add flour, sugar and salt (amounts indicated in recipe card below). Mix well. Add to a greased 9×13 pan and bake for 12 minutes or until golden.
- Make the chocolate filling
While this is baking, whip up the sweetened condensed milk filling and crumble cookie topping—I added the condensed milk and chocolate chips to a glass bowl and melted for 1 minute, stirred, and melted an additional minute. This will vary by microwave. Set aside.
- Crumble Topping
Now, make the crumble topping- adding the remaining butter to the mixer first and creaming; then add the flour, sugar, and fold in the chocolate chips (and any other toppings you may want to add).
- Assemble the bars
once the crust is finished baking, pour the melted chocolate mixture overtop, and then the crumble cookie mixture. Bake 30-40 minutes until edges begin to get golden- watch closely how long to bake as it can get hard if over-baked!
Substitutions or Variations
- Add pecans or walnuts to the topping mixture or toasted coconut.
- There are recipes that use an oatmeal bottom and topping if you cannot use flour. I have a great recipe that uses oatmeal and M&Ms— similar to this Dream Bar recipe by lil Luna. It is so good!
Notes & Tips
These are rich, hard-to-stay-away from chocolate chip bars. I recommend making these when you have a crowd over, or to share with co-workers. These would make a great holiday potluck dessert recipe.
Sweetened Condensed Milk Bars would make a perfect bake sale recipe, too, if you have children or organizations that use them!
Make sure to have an ice cold glass of white milk handy while eating this delicious dessert—they definitely pair well together!
Storing leftovers
I recommend eating these within 4 days. They can be set on your counter in an air tight container.
Freezer Friendly? Yes, go ahead and bake these and then store in a freezer safe container after cooled. Just set on counter to thaw later. This is another great way to ration these bars out—hide some in your freezer! (I know this from experience).
More dessert recipes
- Checkout all of our dessert recipes, but particularly these gooey chocolate chip cookie bars OR our holiday mint brownies recipe. Both are great options.
- our caramel chocolate rice Krispie treats also have sweetened condensed milk in the filling and are so delicious.
- Try our cookie bars with pretzels for a chocolatey treat that is not quite as rich – but has a fun salty and sweet combination.
- Looking for a quick, rich, dessert without the temptation of eating a whole pan? Try our healthy mug cake recipe.
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Sweetened Condensed Milk Bar Recipe
Equipment
- 1 13×9 inch pan
- Mixer
- measuring utensils
- can opener
Ingredients
Chocolate Filling
- 14 oz can sweetened condensed milk any brand
- 1 cup chocolate chips I used milk chocolate- can use semi-sweet chocolate
Cookie Dough Topping
- 3/4 cup flour
- 1/3 cup sugar
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1 cup chocolate chips
- 1 cup optional toppings mini m&ms, toasted coconut, pecans, etc. (I did not add anything extra)
- 1 stick butter softened
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 F. Spray a 13×9 pan.
1. Crust
- Beat the 2 sticks of butter together for a few minutes until creamy.
- Add remaining crust ingredients – then, spread evenly in the bottom of the greased pan.
- Bake at 350 F for about 12 minutes, more or less, until the crust is starting to brown. (see picture)
Chocolate Filling
- While the crust is baking, go ahead and begin making the chocolate layer. Melt 1c cup of chocolate chips and sweetened condensed milk together in the microwave. Microwave for 1 minute, stir and then microwave for another minute, stir-until well melted.
- Once the crust is out of the oven, spread the chocolate layer on the top evenly out to the edges.
Crumble Cookie Topping
- Now prepare the top layer- add 1 stick of softened butter to mixing bowl and cream.
- Next add the flour, sugar and salt until crumbly- mix in the bowl.
- Turn the mixer off and manually stir the chocolate chips in with a rubber spatula or spoon. If you are adding anything else (toasted coconut, nuts, etc) do it with the chocolate chips.
- Sprinkle the topping on the top of the bars.
- Bake in the oven for 30-40 minutes- until the edges start to brown- be careful not to overcook or edges will get very hard!
- Cool and enjoy!
Notes
- Add pecans or walnuts to the topping mixture or toasted coconut.
- There are recipes that use an oatmeal bottom and topping if you cannot use flour. I have a great recipe that uses oatmeal and M&Ms— similar to this Dream Bar recipe by lil Luna. It is so good!
Notes & Tips
These are rich, hard-to-stay-away from chocolate chip bars. I recommend making these when you have a crowd over, or to share with co-workers. These would make a great holiday potluck dessert recipe. Sweetened Condensed Milk Bars would make a perfect bake sale recipe, too, if you have children or organizations that use them! Make sure to have an ice cold glass of white milk handy while eating this delicious dessert—they definitely pair well together!Storing leftovers
I recommend eating these within 4 days. They can be set on your counter in an air tight container.Freezer Friendly? Yes, go ahead and bake these and then store in a freezer safe container after cooled. Just set on counter to thaw later. This is another great way to ration these bars out—hide some in your freezer! (I know this from experience). Note: calories are an estimate- this will vary on brands of ingredients, etc.
These are a rich dessert that I have brought to gatherings and everyone has enjoyed them.
These bars are amazing! Hard not to just eat one. I put some in the freezer so not to be tempted.
I agree- they are hard to put down. I’m so glad you liked them!