Melted chocolate, coconut, graham crackers, peppermint, and more are layered together to make this incredible holiday recipe, Gluten-Free Peppermint 7-Layer Bars. If you are looking for a great dessert to serve over the holidays, this peppermint magic bars recipe is it!
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Of all the 7-layer bars I have made in the past month, these gluten free peppermint 7-layer bars are my favorite. I am a total sucker for candy canes! These sweet bars are perfect for the holidays, but I must confess, I make them all year long...they are that good!
If you love 7-layer bars, aka magic bars, as much as we do, I have a LOT of fun variations so check out these delicious 7 Layer Bars recipes.
I have created several fun flavors of 7-layer bars lately, and I am really excited to share this new recipe with you.
Why Make This Recipe:
- They are perfect for any holiday celebration, from Christmas cookie exchange parties to parties.
- You can freeze these bars, so you always have them on hand.
- I include an easy dairy-free option for those who are gluten free and dairy free. See the FAQ for directions.
If you love peppermint, you will also love this Gluten Free Chocolate Mint Biscotti recipe.
Ingredient Notes:
- Gluten Free Graham Crackers - There are a few good brands you can use, including Pamela's, Schar, and Kinnickinick.
- Cocoa Powder - I like Anthony's or Ghirardelli's brands.
- Condensed Milk - You can use the regular or dairy-free coconut version.
- Butter - Use unsalted butter.
- Chocolate Chips - Most brands are gluten free but always check to be sure your chocolate chips are gluten free.
- Shredded Coconut - Use unsweetened coconut, or your bars will be too sweet.
- Peppermint Candy - Use crushed peppermint candy or crushed candy canes.
Recipe Step-By-Step Directions:
- Grease an 8x8 baking dish. Preheat the oven to 350º F.
- Place the gluten free graham crackers into a food processor and grind them into crumbs.
- Add the cocoa powder, peppermint extract, and melted butter. Pulse into a crust mixture.
- Pour the crust mixture into the bottom of the 8x8 pan. Spread the mixture and press with a large spoon to flatten the crust to cover the bottom of the pan.
- Add your choice of nuts and the chocolate chips and sprinkle them over the crust.
- Pour the condensed milk over the chocolate and nuts.
- Sprinkle the coconut and top with the crushed candy canes.
- Pop them into the oven for 20-25 minutes.
- Place the pan on a cooling rack for 30 minutes, then move it to the refrigerator to chill. Do not cut these until they are cooled.
This recipe was updated from a very old December 2014 post with more detailed information.
More Gluten Free 7 Layer Bar Recipes:
- Gluten Free Gingerbread 7 Layer Bars
- Gluten Free Pumpkin 7 Layer Bars
- Easy Gluten Free Caramel Magic Bars
📖 Recipe
Gluten Free Peppermint 7 Layer Bars
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups gluten free graham cracker crumbs
- 3 tablespoons cocoa powder
- ¼ cup +2 tablespoons melted butter
- 1 can condensed milk
- 1 cup shredded coconut lightly sweetened
- 1 teaspoon peppermint extract
- ½ cup chocolate chips
- ½ cup Andes peppermint crunch baking chips
- 1 cup chopped pecans
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
- Grease an 8x8 baking dish.
- Place the graham crackers into a food processor and pulse to grind them. You can also crush them in a large zipper bag if you prefer.
- In a large bowl, add cocoa powder, peppermint extract, and gluten free graham cracker crumbs.
- Toss these with the melted butter.
- Pour crust into baking dish and spread to cover the bottom.
- Press down to compact the crust.
- Add nuts and chocolate chips.
- Pour the condensed milk on top.
- Add coconut layer.
- Top with peppermint crunch.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes until done.
- Cool on a wire cooling rack for 30 minutes, then place in the refrigerator to chill for another 30 minutes. Do not eat them hot.
Notes
- You can use any brand of gluten free graham crackers.
- Use unsweetened shredded coconut.
- To make these dairy-free, use coconut condensed milk, plant-based butter, and a dairy-free chocolate chip.
- Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- Freeze in a freezer bag.
SPECIAL NOTE
Please know that every gluten free flour blend has a different starch to grain ratio. If you use a blend I didn't test, you may need to adjust your moisture levels in your baked goods.
Nutrition
Nutrition Disclaimer
Nutritional information is an estimate provided to you as a courtesy. You should calculate the actual nutritional information with the products and brands you are using with your preferred nutritional calculator.
Fearless Dining
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Sarah | (Cooking for) Kiwi & Bean
Oh wow do these ever look GREAT! Do you deliver? 🙂 And oh wow, you are really rocking the 7-layer bar. LOVE it!
Sandi Gaertner
Thank you Sarah 🙂 I could deliver...
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Wow, total holiday decadence!
Sandi Gaertner
Thank you Rebecca 🙂
Shirley @ gfe & All Gluten-Free Desserts
I am so loving all of your 7-Layer Bar creations, Sandi! I didn't even know those baking chips existed--cool!
Shirley
Sandi Gaertner
Someday I am going to mail you a 7 layer bar care package 🙂
Healing Tomato
This is 7 layers of heaven! Peppermint is such a perfect ingredient in this recipe. You have done a great job with the recipe.
Sandi Gaertner
Thank you Rini 🙂
Dan from Platter Talk
Perhaps a more appropriate title for this post and recipe would be seven layers of talent, although that probably would be just the tip of the ice berg when it comes to what you have to offer from the kitchen, particularly to those folks oriented toward gluten-free cuisine. Beautiful, impressive, and so well done as always.
Sandi Gaertner
Thank you so much Dan 🙂
Patricia @ Grab a Plate
Oh wow! I love 7-layer bars, too, and these are a nice change of pace! They look great!
Sandi Gaertner
Thank you Patricia 🙂
Kelly @ TastingPage
You definitely know what to do with 7 layers! Love the peppermint addition for sweetness and crunch!
Sandi Gaertner
They are definitely my favorite kind of cookie bars.
EA-The Spicy RD
Yum!!! I think my kids (me too: ) would absolutely love these! It's funny, my son and daughter were both eating candy canes last night, and I remarked that I'm not really a big fan of them, but in THIS recipe? OMG-I'm a fan now!!
Sandi Gaertner
You may surprise yourself with this peppermint bar 🙂