Open Arms of Minnesota

Potluck Recipe #13: 7-Layer Bars

In honor of Lucky Number 7 Moveable Feast, here’s a potluck recipe sure to bring you good fortune (or a least a crowd of hungry admirers).

7-Layer Bars
Adapted from The Brown Eyed Baker

(Makes 18 bars)

1 cup sweetened flaked coconut
8 tbsp. (1 stick) unsalted butter, plus 3 tbsp. for pan
9 graham crackers (5 oz.), crushed
1 cup finely chopped salted peanuts
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
½ cup white chocolate chips
½ cup butterscotch chips
1 14-ounce can sweetened condensed milk

1. Adjust an oven rack to the lower-middle position and preheat to 350°F. Brush a 9×13-inch baking pan with melted, slightly cooled butter. Line the pan with two overlapping pieces of foil or parchment paper, leaving overhang to act as handles for lifting the bars out of the pan. Brush with more butter.

2. Spread the coconut on a baking sheet and bake until the outer flakes just begin to brown, about 4 minutes. (Keep a close eye on it – coconut can go from slightly browned to burnt in a matter of seconds.) Set aside.

3. Melt the butter and combine with graham cracker crumbs in a small bowl. Toss with your fingers until the butter is evenly distributed. Press the crumbs evenly onto the bottom of the prepared pan.

4. In order, sprinkle the peanuts, chocolate chips, white chocolate chips, butterscotch chips, and coconut over the graham crumbs. Pour the condensed milk evenly over the entire dish.

5. Bake until the top is golden brown, about 25 minutes. Cool in the pan on a wire rack to room temperature, about 2 hours.

6. Remove the bars from the pan using the foil or parchment handles and transfer to a cutting board. Using a sharp knife or bench cutter, cut into 2 by 3-inch bars.

More from Open Arms

Open Arms STP interior

Open Arms Update From CEO, November 2025

Open Arms Update From CEO, Leah Hebert Welles Dear Open Arms Community, This fall, we are hearing from many of you, asking how our clients are doing in the face of SNAP cuts and other resources being eliminated. We wanted to reach out, give

Read More »
Wabasha Brewing picture

Open Arms Charity Of The Month At Wabasha Brewing

Neighbors On Tap – Open Arms is Wabasha Brewing’s Charity of the Month for November Open Arms of Minnesota has been selected as the Charity of the Month for November at Wabasha Brewing Co. as part of the brewery’s “Neighbors On Tap’ campaign. $1

Read More »
YESvember central graphic

2025 YESvember Central

Here’s everything you need to know about YESvember 2025 at Open Arms! November is a magical month for Open Arms of Minnesota. Since 2015, Open Arms has turned NOvember into YESvember for all our clients across Minnesota. We are not only preparing and delivering

Read More »

Moveable Feast 2025: The Show Goes On

No matter the challenges, Open Arms stands ready to face the future. Together, we will gather for a special production of Moveable Feast being held on Thursday, May 15 at the historic Hollywood Theater in Northeast Minneapolis. We hope you and your cast of characters will join us in support of our clients!

IN A CHAOTIC WORLD, WE CAN SHOW LOVE IN ACTION!

When life feels overwhelming, there’s one thing we can control: showing care, love, and compassion to one another. This February, Give from the Heart in honor or memory of someone special. Your gift will provide life-saving medically tailored meals and nutrition counseling to someone facing a critical illness. We’ll send a heartfelt card to your honoree or their family, sharing your loving tribute.

Open Arms of Minnesota Earns Accreditation from Food Is Medicine Coalition

Open Arms of Minnesota, the Twin Cities-based non-profit dedicated to providing nourishing, medically tailored meals to individuals with critical illnesses, has earned accreditation from the Food Is Medicine Coalition (FIMC). This recognition places Open Arms among an elite group of organizations nationwide that have demonstrated a high standard of care in delivering medically tailored meals (MTM).

End Of Year Giving Graphic

Your Gift Will Help Us Serve More Clients!

Together we can continue to meet the increased demand for medically tailored meals with your support! We hope you think of us as you consider your year-end giving. Your donation is a gift of care, compassion, and encouragement!