Skip to main content
Epicurious
Cookbooks

Five-Layer Bars

By Gretchen Holt-Witt

4.6

(13)

Image may contain Food Fudge Dessert Chocolate Plant Confectionery and Sweets
Five-Layer BarsLucy Schaeffer

This old-fashioned classic has many renditions but we love this one best; feel free to substitute milk, white, butterscotch, or bittersweet chocolate chips for the semi-sweet and almonds, walnuts, or peanuts for the pecans.

Recipe information

  • Yield

    2 dozen bars

Ingredients

1 stick (1/4 pound) unsalted butter, melted
2 sleeves graham crackers, crushed
1 cup sweetened flaked coconut
2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 1/4 cups (one 14-ounce can) sweetened condensed milk
2 cups pecans, lightly toasted and coarsely chopped

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    • Preheat the oven to 350°F. Lightly butter a 9 x 13-inch pan and line with parchment paper, allowing enough overhang on the long side to lift the bars from the pan.

    Step 2

    • Place the butter and graham crackers in a bowl and combine well. Transfer the mixture to the prepared pan and pat into an even layer to form the crust.

    Step 3

    • Sprinkle the coconut evenly over the crust. Sprinkle the chocolate chips over the coconut. Pour the condensed milk evenly over the chocolate chips. Sprinkle the pecans evenly over the condensed milk layer. Press the layers down lightly. Transfer to the oven and bake until lightly browned, about 30 minutes.

    Step 4

    • Set aside to cool completely and cut into 24 pieces.

Reprinted with permission from Cookies for Kids Cancer: Best Bake Sale Cookbook by Gretchen Holt-Witte, (C) 2011 Wiley
TagsBar CookieCookieDessertGraham CrackerChocolateCoconutFruitPecanNutAlmondWalnutPeanut5 Ingredients or FewerEasyBakingCookbooks

See Related Recipes and Cooking Tips

Read More
The Most-Saved Recipes in the Epicurious App This Week
Like “absolutely decadent” chocolate pudding and fattoush salad.
The Only Frittata Recipe You’ll Ever Need
Keep this easy frittata recipe on hand for quick breakfasts, impressive brunches, and fridge clean-out meals.
Apple-Walnut Charoset
A warmly spiced Ashkenazi charoset, perfect for your Passover seder—or spooned over yogurt the next morning.
Caramelized Onion Pasta
Turn humble onions into this thrifty yet luxe pasta dinner.
One-Pot Chicken Thighs With Cilantro Rice and Beans
This one-pot dinner cooks chicken thighs directly on top of a bed of flavorful cilantro rice studded with black beans for a complete dinner.
The Most-Saved Recipes in the Epicurious App in March
Like lemony risotto and tandoori-style cauliflower.
13 Types of Nuts and How to Cook With Them
Filberts, goobers, scaly bark nuts: Explore the world beyond almonds in this guide.
How to Thaw Fish Fast
The most efficient method takes less than an hour, but you might not even need it.