Hello Dolly Delight Bars Recipe

Quick & Heavenly Hello Dolly Delight Bars Recipe for Sweet Joy

Sweet hello Dolly delight bars combine rich, indulgent ingredients that spark pure joy in every bite.

Layers of contrasting textures create a mesmerizing dessert experience that feels both nostalgic and exciting.

Chocolate, coconut, and condensed milk meld together in a magical combination that delights the senses.

Graham cracker crusts provide a sturdy foundation for these irresistible treat bars.

Decadent ingredients stack up like delicious architectural wonders waiting to be devoured.

Nostalgic yet modern, these bars bring comfort and excitement to your dessert repertoire.

Each morsel promises a journey of sweet, creamy satisfaction that you won’t want to miss.

Hello Dolly Bars That Bring Layers of Joy

  • These Hello Dolly Delight Bars offer a stunning combination of textures with crispy graham cracker crust, chewy coconut, crunchy pecans, and smooth chocolate chips that create an irresistible sensory experience.
  • Requiring just 35 minutes total (including prep and baking), this recipe delivers maximum flavor with minimal effort, perfect for busy home bakers who want a delectable treat without complicated techniques.
  • The classic combination of condensed milk, chocolate, coconut, and nuts makes these bars universally appealing, suitable for potlucks, family gatherings, bake sales, or spontaneous dessert cravings that bring everyone together.
  • With simple layering steps and straightforward ingredients, even novice bakers can confidently create these delightful bars, ensuring a foolproof dessert that looks and tastes professionally made.

Everything You Need for Hello Dolly Bars

Crust Base:
  • Graham Cracker Crumbs: Classic base with a buttery, sweet foundation that provides structure and crunch.
  • Butter: Helps bind the crust and adds rich flavor, melted to create a smooth base layer.
Filling Layers:
  • Flaked Coconut, Chocolate Chips, Chopped Pecans: Trio of delightful textures and flavors, creating a sweet and nutty combination. Choose unsweetened coconut for less sweetness, semi-sweet chocolate chips for balanced flavor, and fresh pecans for maximum crunch.
Binding and Sweetening:
  • Sweetened Condensed Milk: Creamy, rich binding agent that adds sweetness and helps hold all layers together. Ensures a gooey, decadent texture in the final bars.

Instructions for Building Hello Dolly Bars

Step 1: Warm Up the Oven and Grease the Pan

Crank your oven to a toasty 350° Fahrenheit. Grab some butter and transform it into a silky liquid through microwave or stovetop method. Pour the melted butter into a 9×9 inch baking pan, making sure it coats the entire bottom smoothly.

Step 2: Create the Crumbly Base

Shower the graham cracker crumbs over the buttery surface, completely covering the pan’s bottom. Use your fingertips to gently compact the crumbs, forming a solid, compact foundation.

Step 3: Craft the Delectable Layers

Sprinkle these delightful ingredients in order:
  • Flaked coconut
  • Chocolate chips
  • Chopped pecans

Press these layers down gently, helping them meld together with the crunchy crust.

Step 4: Drench with Sweet Nectar

Cascade the sweetened condensed milk across the layers, ensuring every nook and cranny gets a luxurious coating.

Step 5: Crown with Final Touches and Bake

Scatter the remaining:
  • Coconut
  • Chocolate chips

Softly press these toppings down. Slide the pan into the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes until the center looks set and the edges turn a gorgeous golden brown.

Step 6: Rest and Slice

Rescue the pan from the oven and let it cool completely. Once at room temperature, slice into 16-18 squares. Enjoy!

Tips to Nail Every Layer in Hello Dolly Bars

  • Seal the Crust Perfectly: Press graham cracker crumbs firmly and evenly to create a compact base that holds the layers together without crumbling.
  • Distribute Condensed Milk Strategically: Pour sweetened condensed milk slowly and carefully, ensuring complete coverage across all layers for consistent sweetness and binding.
  • Watch Baking Time Closely: Check bars around 25-minute mark to prevent over-browning, looking for light golden edges and set center as key doneness indicators.
  • Cool Completely Before Cutting: Allow bars to cool entirely at room temperature, which helps layers set and makes clean, precise cutting easier.
  • Store for Maximum Freshness: Keep Hello Dolly Bars in an airtight container at room temperature for 3-4 days, or refrigerate to extend shelf life up to a week.

How to Keep Hello Dolly Bars from Crumbling

  • Refrigerate: Store Hello Dolly Delight Bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Cover tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil to prevent moisture loss and maintain freshness.
  • Freeze: Wrap individual bars in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving for best texture and flavor.
  • Reheat: Warm refrigerated bars in the microwave for 10-15 seconds on medium power to restore their gooey texture. Alternatively, let them sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes before enjoying for optimal taste.

Serving Suggestions for Hello Dolly Bars

  • Sip Sweet Companion: Pair these Hello Dolly Delight Bars with a rich, smooth bourbon or a creamy Irish coffee. The caramel and vanilla notes complement the dessert's nutty, chocolatey layers perfectly.
  • Brew Perfect Match: A dark roast coffee or espresso provides a robust contrast to the bar's sweetness. The bitter coffee cuts through the condensed milk's richness, creating a balanced flavor experience.
  • Dessert Wine Harmony: Select a late harvest Riesling or a sweet Moscato. These wines enhance the coconut and chocolate flavors, offering a delightful dessert combination that feels indulgent and sophisticated.
  • Milk Lover's Dream: Cold whole milk or a classic chocolate milk creates a nostalgic, comforting pairing. The creamy drink softens the bar's texture and amplifies its sweet, nutty profile.

Variations for Hello Dolly Bars with a Twist

  • Tropical Paradise Bars: Swap pecans with macadamia nuts and add dried pineapple chunks for a Hawaiian-inspired dessert. Sprinkle toasted coconut on top for extra crunch and island flavor.
  • Nutty Chocolate Caramel Bars: Replace graham cracker crumbs with crushed chocolate cookies. Drizzle caramel sauce over the condensed milk layer and use a mix of almonds and walnuts for added texture.
  • Salted Chocolate Pretzel Bars: Crush pretzels for the base instead of graham crackers. Use dark chocolate chips and sprinkle sea salt before baking. Add white chocolate drizzle after cooling for a sweet and salty combination.
  • Berry Cheesecake Bars: Mix cream cheese with the condensed milk layer. Fold in fresh raspberries or strawberries between layers. Top with white chocolate chips and a light dusting of freeze-dried berry powder.

Hello Dolly Bars FAQ Round-Up

  • Can I substitute ingredients in Hello Dolly Bars?

Yes! You can swap pecans for walnuts, use different chocolate chips like milk or dark chocolate, and replace graham crackers with vanilla wafer crumbs. Just keep similar measurements to maintain the recipe’s texture.

  • How long can I store these bars?

Store the bars in an airtight container at room temperature for 3-4 days or refrigerate for up to a week. They remain deliciously chewy and fresh when properly sealed.

  • Are Hello Dolly Bars suitable for make-ahead desserts?

Absolutely! You can prepare these bars a day before serving. They actually taste better after the flavors have melded together. Just cover and store at room temperature or in the refrigerator.

  • Can I freeze Hello Dolly Bars?

Yes, you can freeze these bars for up to 2-3 months. Wrap individual bars in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. Thaw at room temperature before serving for best taste and texture.

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Hello Dolly Delight Bars Recipe

Hello Dolly Delight Bars Recipe


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4.7 from 13 reviews

  • Total Time: 40 minutes
  • Yield: 16 1x

Description

Indulgent hello dolly delight bars blend creamy chocolate, coconut, and condensed milk into a heavenly Southern treat. Layers of rich flavors melt together, creating a blissful dessert you’ll crave again and again.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients:

  • 1 cup chopped pecans
  • 1 ¼ cups (212 grams) semi-sweet chocolate chips
  • 1 ½ cups graham cracker crumbs
  • 1 ⅓ cups (107 grams) sweetened flake coconut

Dairy and Binding Ingredients:

  • 1 stick (113 grams or ½ cup) butter
  • 14 ounces (396 grams) sweetened condensed milk

Instructions

  1. Prepare the baking vessel by coating a 9×9 inch pan with melted butter, ensuring complete coverage across the bottom surface.
  2. Create a firm foundation by distributing graham cracker crumbs evenly over the melted butter, gently compressing to form a consistent base layer.
  3. Strategically arrange the first flavor components by spreading flaked coconut across the graham cracker foundation, followed by an even distribution of chocolate chips and chopped pecans.
  4. Transform the layered landscape by cascading sweetened condensed milk across the entire surface, allowing it to seep between the existing ingredients and enhance their connectivity.
  5. Enhance the visual and textural complexity by sprinkling remaining coconut and additional chocolate chips over the condensed milk layer, delicately pressing to integrate the elements.
  6. Transfer the assembled pan into a preheated 350°F oven, allowing the ingredients to meld and transform for approximately 25-30 minutes, watching for golden edges and a set central region.
  7. Extract the baking pan and permit the bars to cool completely within the pan, enabling the layers to solidify and stabilize.
  8. Once thoroughly cooled, slice the consolidated creation into 16-18 uniform squares, revealing the intricate layers and preparing for delightful consumption.

Notes

  • Prepare ingredients at room temperature for seamless mixing and optimal texture.
  • Ensure graham cracker crust is firmly pressed to create a sturdy foundation for layered bars.
  • Use sweetened condensed milk as a binding agent that caramelizes beautifully during baking.
  • Check bars at 25-minute mark to prevent over-browning and maintain soft, gooey center.
  • Store cooled bars in airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days for maximum freshness.
  • Customize by swapping pecans with walnuts or adding mini marshmallows for extra indulgence.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 25 minutes
  • Category: Desserts, Snacks
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 16
  • Calories: 207
  • Sugar: 14 g
  • Sodium: 60 mg
  • Fat: 10 g
  • Saturated Fat: 6 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 27 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 2 g
  • Cholesterol: 20 mg
Isabella Rossi

Isabella Rossi

Founder & Culinary Content Creator

Expertise

Recipe Development​, Traditional Irish and European Cuisines, Food Styling and Photography, Culinary Education​

Education

Dublin Institute of Technology (DIT) – School of Culinary Arts and Food Technology

  • Degree: Bachelor of Arts in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: Comprehensive training in classical and modern cooking techniques, kitchen management, and menu development.​

Ballymaloe Cookery School

  • Program: 12-Week Certificate Course
  • Focus: Intensive, hands-on experience emphasizing farm-to-table cooking and sustainable practices.​

Liam is the voice behind many of Craft Meats’ most flavorful features. With roots in Dublin’s smoky barbecue scene and a culinary degree from the Dublin Institute of Technology, he brings time-tested cooking techniques to life. 

His training at Ballymaloe Cookery School sharpened his farm-to-table approach, giving him a deep respect for every ingredient he writes about.

He’s not about overcomplicating the process, just helping you cook meat that’s worth talking about. When he’s not writing or grilling, he’s out foraging or nerding out on regional spice blends to add to his next recipe.

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