Heavenly Fruit Cake 7-Layer Bars Recipe: Sweet Magic in Every Bite

Sweet memories of holiday fruit cake merge delightfully with classic seven-layer bar magic in this delectable treat.

Layers of creamy, crunchy textures invite nostalgic baking moments.

Unexpected combinations make traditional recipes feel fresh and exciting.

Rich butterscotch chips and chunky dried fruits create surprising depth.

Chocolatey undertones complement the nutty base in this irresistible dessert.

Colorful ingredients promise a visual feast that matches the incredible flavor profile.

Let you dive into a recipe that brings classic comfort with modern culinary creativity.

Seven-Layer Bars with a Fruit Cake Twist

• Customize the recipe by swapping different dried fruits, nuts, or chocolate types to match your taste preferences and pantry supplies.
• Enjoy a harmonious blend of crunchy graham cracker crust, chewy dried fruits, and smooth sweetened condensed milk that creates an irresistible multi-textured dessert.
• Simply layer ingredients, bake, and slice- no complicated techniques required, making this recipe beginner-friendly and stress-free for all skill levels.

Ingredients for Fruity, Nutty Dessert Bars

• Graham Cracker Crumbs: A classic base providing a sweet and crunchy foundation for the bars.
• Butter: Helps bind the crumbs and creates a rich, smooth crust.

• Shredded Coconut, Dried Fruits, Nuts: A delightful mix of textures and flavors adding sweetness and crunch. Choose unsweetened coconut, a variety of dried fruits like raisins, cranberries, or apricots, and mixed nuts such as almonds or pecans for best results.

• Sweetened Condensed Milk: A rich, creamy ingredient that holds all layers together with its sweet, thick consistency.
• Chocolate Chips (Optional): Adds a delicious chocolate element to the bars, great for chocolate lovers.

How to Layer Fruit Cake Bars with Ease

Step 1: Prepare Baking Surface

Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a 9×13-inch baking dish with parchment paper or grease lightly to prevent sticking.

Step 2: Create Crunchy Foundation

Melt butter and combine thoroughly with graham cracker crumbs in a medium bowl. Press mixture evenly across the baking dish to form a solid base.

Step 3: Build Delicious Layers

• Shredded coconut spread evenly over graham cracker crust
• Chopped dried fruits scattered across coconut
• Chopped nuts distributed over dried fruits
• Chocolate chips sprinkled generously
• Sweetened condensed milk poured smoothly to bind all ingredients

Step 4: Transform in Oven

Bake in preheated oven for 25-30 minutes until top turns golden brown and layers appear set and cohesive.

Step 5: Rest and Slice

Let bars cool completely inside baking dish. Once temperature normalizes, cut into square or rectangular portions using a sharp knife. Cooling ensures layers hold together perfectly for clean, attractive servings.

Tips for Keeping Bars Chewy and Balanced

• Customize Coconut Texture: Toast coconut before adding for a deeper, nuttier flavor and crunchier texture that elevates the entire dessert.
• Prevent Burning Edges: Cover the pan’s edges with aluminum foil if the top starts browning too quickly during baking to ensure even golden coloration.
• Boost Fruit Flavor: Mix different dried fruit varieties like cranberries, apricots, and raisins to create a more complex and interesting taste profile.
• Control Sweetness Level: Substitute some sweetened condensed milk with unsweetened condensed milk or half-and-half for a less intense sugar experience.
• Gluten-Free Adaptation: Replace graham cracker crumbs with gluten-free cookie crumbs or ground nuts like almonds to make the recipe suitable for those with wheat sensitivities.

Store Fruit Bars Without Getting Sticky

• Store leftover fruit cake bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days, keeping them fresh and preventing moisture loss.
• Wrap individual bars tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container to preserve for 2-3 months, maintaining their delicious texture and flavor.
• Remove frozen bars from the freezer and let them sit at room temperature for 30-45 minutes, allowing them to soften naturally before enjoying.
• Warm bars briefly in the microwave for 10-15 seconds or in a preheated oven at 300F for 5 minutes to restore their gooey, delectable consistency.

Serve These Bars at Parties or Pack as Gifts

• Complement the rich, fruity layers with a light, bubbly moscato or prosecco that matches the cake’s sweetness and enhances the dried fruit notes.
• Brew a smooth, medium-roast coffee with hints of caramel to balance the dense texture and cut through the sweetness of the fruit cake bars.
• Create a warm, aromatic chai with cinnamon and cardamom that echoes the nutty, fruity flavors and provides a comforting contrast to the dessert’s richness.
• Select a sweet, smooth dessert wine like Sauternes that highlights the cake’s complex layers and provides a luxurious drinking experience.

Toppings to Try on 7-Layer Bars

• Gluten-Free Version: Replace graham cracker crumbs with gluten-free cookie crumbs or ground almond flour to create a celiac-friendly crust that maintains the same rich texture.
• Vegan Adaptation: Swap sweetened condensed milk with coconut condensed milk, use dairy-free chocolate chips, and substitute butter with coconut oil for a plant-based alternative.
• Low-Sugar Option: Reduce sweetened condensed milk quantity, use sugar-free chocolate chips, and incorporate more unsweetened dried fruits like cranberries or apricots to minimize overall sugar content.
• Nut-Free Alternative: Eliminate nuts completely and replace with seeds like sunflower or pumpkin seeds for those with nut allergies, maintaining the original recipe’s layered structure and crunch.

Fruit Cake 7-Layer Bars Recipe

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4.7 from 16 reviews

• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 16 1x

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Description

Sweet layers of bliss converge in this irresistible fruit cake 7-layer bars, where classic comfort meets indulgent charm. Crumbly, nutty, and richly textured, you’ll savor each delectable bite of this nostalgic dessert that promises pure culinary delight.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 1 cup (150g) mixed dried fruits (chopped candied cherries, raisins, apricots, etc.)
• 1 cup (120g) chopped nuts (pecans, walnuts, or almonds)
• 1 cup (175g) semi-sweet chocolate chips

Base and Binding Ingredients:

• 1 ½ cups (150g) graham cracker crumbs
• ½ cup (115g) unsalted butter, melted
• ½ cup (125 milliliters) sweetened condensed milk

Flavoring and Texture Ingredients:

• 1 cup (120g) shredded coconut
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

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Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350F (175C) and prepare a 9×13-inch baking dish by lining it with parchment paper or applying a light grease to prevent sticking.
2. Melt the butter and thoroughly combine it with graham cracker crumbs in a medium bowl, creating a uniform mixture.
3. Firmly press the graham cracker and butter mixture into the bottom of the prepared baking dish, creating an even, compact crust.
4. Create a layered foundation by sprinkling shredded coconut uniformly across the graham cracker base.
5. Distribute the chopped dried fruits and assorted nuts evenly over the coconut layer, ensuring consistent coverage.
6. Scatter chocolate chips across the surface, dispersing them in a balanced manner for maximum flavor distribution.
7. Gently pour sweetened condensed milk over the entire layered surface, allowing it to seep between ingredients and act as a binding agent.
8. Transfer the baking dish to the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, watching for a golden-brown top and set layers.
9. Remove from oven and allow the bars to cool completely within the pan, which helps solidify the layers and makes cutting easier.
10. Once fully cooled, slice into square or rectangular portions, ensuring clean, precise cuts through all layers.

Notes

• Adjust coconut thickness based on personal preference, ensuring an even layer for consistent texture throughout the bars.
• Experiment with mixed dried fruits like cranberries, apricots, and raisins to create a more complex and vibrant flavor profile.
• Toast nuts beforehand to enhance their natural oils and deepen the overall nutty taste of the dessert, bringing out richer undertones.
• Choose gluten-free graham crackers or alternatives like almond flour crust for those with dietary restrictions, maintaining the recipe’s delicious essence.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 16
• Calories: 250
• Sugar: 18g
• Sodium: 40mg
• Fat: 14g
• Saturated Fat: 8g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 30g
• Fiber: 2g
• Protein: 3g
• Cholesterol: 30mg