Vegan Christmas 7 Layer Bars

These vegan Christmas 7 layer bars are an easy, festive dessert made with classic holiday flavors and simple plant-based ingredients. Rich, chewy, and perfect for Christmas baking!

Magic 7 Layer Bars - but make it Christmas! These festive vegan bars are made with a sugar cookie crust and come topped with gooey chocolate chips, shredded coconut, salty pretzels and red and green sprinkles.

Brownies and bars make great treats for holiday parties due to their convenient nature. Just grab and go!

Serve them with out vegan peppermint hot chocolate or our vegan Mexican hot chocolate for the best experience.

Ingredients

Here is everything you'll need to make these bars:

• All purpose flour: Forms the base of the crust and gives the bars structure.
• Granulated sugar: Sweetens the crust and helps it bake up lightly crisp.
• Baking soda: Adds a touch of lift so the crust isn't too dense.
• Vegan butter: Binds the crust together and adds rich, buttery flavor.
• Vanilla extract: Enhances sweetness and adds warmth throughout the bars.
• Full-fat canned coconut milk: Acts as the creamy, dairy-free replacement for sweetened condensed milk.
• Agave nectar: Sweetens the coconut milk layer and helps it thicken as it bakes.
• Salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances all the flavors.
• Cornstarch: Thickens the coconut milk mixture so the bars set properly.
• Nondairy chocolate chips: Provide rich chocolate flavor in every bite.
• Coconut flakes: Add chewy texture and classic seven-layer-bar flavor.
• Mini pretzel twists: Bring crunch and a salty contrast to the sweet layers.
• Vegan holiday sprinkles: Add festive color and a fun Christmas finish.

Why You'll Love These Bars

• Perfectly festive - Colorful layers and holiday sprinkles make them ideal for Christmas parties and cookie trays.
• Classic flavors, veganized - All the nostalgic seven-layer bar goodness without dairy or eggs.
• Sweet + salty balance - Chocolate, coconut, and pretzels create the perfect flavor contrast.
• Easy to make - Simple ingredients and no complicated steps required.
• Great for gifting - They travel well and look beautiful in holiday treat boxes.
• Soft, chewy, and crunchy - Multiple textures in every bite keep things exciting.

How to Make Vegan Christmas 7 Layer Bars

Please see the recipe card at the bottom of the page for full instructions and ingredient measurements.

Begin by whisking together the flour, sugar and baking soda in a large mixing bowl. Stir in the softened vegan butter, water and vanilla using a rubber spatula.

Press the cookie dough into an 8 inch square pan that has been lined with parchment paper.

Bake in an oven that has been preheated to 350 degrees F (175 C) for 15 minutes.

While the cookie base bakes, whisk together the coconut milk, cornstarch, vanilla and salt until smooth.

Remove the pan from the oven and sprinkle the chocolate chips and shredded coconut over the cookie base.

Pour the coconut milk mixture over the top of everything evenly. Sprinkle on the festive sprinkles and pretzels. Press down lightly.

Bake for an additional 27-30 minutes. Wait until completely cool before cutting.

Tips

1. Measure the flour accurately to keep the base tender. Spoon and level rather than scooping.
2. Use softened (not melted) vegan butter so the dough base mixes smoothly and bakes evenly.
3. Mix the coconut milk well before measuring to incorporate the cream and liquid for proper texture.
4. Press the base firmly into the pan so it holds together once baked.
5. Layer ingredients evenly for balanced flavor and clean slices in every bar.
6. Lightly crush the pretzels so they distribute better and are easier to cut through after baking.
7. Don't over-bake! The bars should be set but still soft in the center when removed from the oven.
8. Let the bars cool completely before slicing to prevent crumbling.
9. Add sprinkles before and after baking (if needed) so colors stay vibrant.

What are 7 Layer Bars?

7 layer bars are a type of dessert bar that get their name from the seven distinct layers of ingredients typically included in the recipe.

Traditionally, these layers include a cookie or graham cracker base, chocolate, coconut, nuts, caramel or sweetened condensed milk, and sometimes other candies or toppings.

In a vegan version, animal-derived ingredients like butter, sweetened condensed milk, or chocolate are replaced with plant-based alternatives, but the concept remains the same: a rich, sweet, layered bar with a variety of textures-crispy, chewy, and gooey-all in one bite.

They're sometimes also called "magic bars" or "layered coconut bars", and they're popular for holidays, potlucks, and festive occasions because of their colorful, indulgent appearance and easy-to-share format.

Frequently Asked Questions

Serving

Here are some serving tips for your Vegan Christmas 7 Layer Bars:

• Cut into small squares: These bars are rich and sweet, so small portions make them perfect for dessert platters or holiday cookie exchanges.
• Pair with a warm drink: Serve alongside vegan hot chocolate, coffee, or tea for a cozy holiday treat.
• Add a festive touch: Sprinkle extra vegan holiday sprinkles or shredded coconut on top right before serving for a cheerful presentation.
• Stack on a dessert tray: Layer with other vegan holiday treats like cookies and fudge for a colorful, crowd-pleasing dessert board.
• Gift them: Wrap a few bars in parchment paper and tie with a ribbon for a homemade holiday gift.

Storage

Here's how to store your Vegan Christmas 7 Layer Bars to maintain peak freshness:

Room temperature: Keep in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Perfect if you plan to enjoy them within a short time-frame.

Refrigerator: Store in an airtight container for up to 5 days. This helps maintain freshness, especially in warmer climates.

Freezer: Wrap bars tightly in plastic wrap and place in a freezer-safe container or bag for up to 1 month. Thaw at room temperature before serving.

Tip: If storing in the fridge or freezer, let the bars come to room temperature for the best texture and flavor.

If you make this recipe please tag @censoredbaker on Instagram!

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More festive vegan recipes:

• vegan gingerbread cookies
• vegan peppermint bark
• vegan candy cane chocolate chip cookies
• vegan chocolate peppermint yule log

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