If you’re hunting for the ultimate combination of rich chocolate and vibrant fruit, these Dark Chocolate Raspberry Bars will completely steal your dessert-loving heart. Imagine a tender, buttery base topped with sweet-tart raspberry preserves, an avalanche of velvety dark chocolate, and a golden, crumbly finish—this dreamy treat manages to be simple and luxurious all at once. Whether you’re baking for a crowd, sweetening up a weeknight, or sneaking a treat just for yourself, these Dark Chocolate Raspberry Bars are destined to become a staple in your recipe box.
Ingredients You’ll Need
These bars come together with just a handful of everyday ingredients, and each one plays a crucial role in delivering the perfect flavor and texture. Think classic pantry basics, but when combined, they create something truly irresistible.
- Unsalted Butter (1 cup, softened): The foundation that gives the crust and topping their melt-in-your-mouth richness.
- Granulated Sugar (1/2 cup): Adds sweetness and helps the bars achieve a light, tender crumb.
- Brown Sugar (1/4 cup): Brings a hint of caramel flavor that deepens every bite.
- Vanilla Extract (1 teaspoon): Enhances all the other flavors with aromatic warmth.
- All-Purpose Flour (2 cups): The structure that holds these decadent bars together.
- Salt (1/2 teaspoon): A little goes a long way for balance, making the chocolate and berry flavors pop.
- Raspberry Preserves (3/4 cup): For brightness and tang, opt for your favorite seedless preserves for a silky layer.
- Dark Chocolate Chips or Chopped Dark Chocolate (1 cup): The star ingredient—choose quality chocolate for extra lusciousness.
- Chopped Nuts, optional (1/2 cup, such as almonds or pecans): Add crunch and a nutty contrast for extra flavor dimension.
How to Make Dark Chocolate Raspberry Bars
Step 1: Prepare the Pan
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line an 8×8-inch or 9×9-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving a little overhang on the sides. This parchment “sling” will make it a breeze to lift the bars out once they’re ready—no sticking, no mess, just perfect bars every time!
Step 2: Cream the Butter and Sugars
In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar, and vanilla extract. Beat until the mixture becomes light and fluffy, and the sugars are well incorporated—you’re aiming for a luscious, airy texture. This extra minute of mixing is worth it for a tender bar.
Step 3: Make the Dough
Sprinkle in the all-purpose flour and salt, mixing on low speed until a soft dough forms. It might look a bit crumbly at first, but keep mixing until everything comes together; this is what creates that wonderful, melt-in-your-mouth base.
Step 4: Form the Base Layer
Press two-thirds of the dough evenly into the bottom of your prepared pan. Use your fingertips or the back of a spoon to create a level surface. This layer gives your Dark Chocolate Raspberry Bars a buttery, sturdy foundation.
Step 5: Add Raspberry and Chocolate Layers
Spread the raspberry preserves in an even layer right up to the edges. Then, sprinkle the dark chocolate chips (or chopped chocolate) generously over the preserves. Every bite will have a little bit of that sweet-tart fruit and deep, satisfying chocolate!
Step 6: Crumble Topping and Add Nuts
Take the remaining third of the dough and crumble it over the top of the chocolate layer. If you like a little crunch, scatter the chopped nuts over everything, pressing lightly so they nestle into the topping.
Step 7: Bake
Slide your pan into the oven and bake for 30 to 35 minutes, until the topping is a beautiful light gold and the edges are just starting to bubble. Your kitchen will smell incredible! Let the bars cool completely in the pan for neat, clean slices.
How to Serve Dark Chocolate Raspberry Bars
Garnishes
Dress up your Dark Chocolate Raspberry Bars with a sprinkle of powdered sugar, a drizzle of melted dark chocolate, or a few fresh raspberries on top. Little touches like these make your homemade treats feel bakery-worthy!
Side Dishes
Serve these bars alongside a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream or a dollop of lightly sweetened whipped cream. They also play beautifully with a mug of strong coffee or a cup of hot tea, perfect for elevating dessert into an occasion.
Creative Ways to Present
Cut your bars into diamonds or mini squares for a playful platter, or stack them in clear bakery boxes tied with ribbon for a thoughtful homemade gift. You can even serve them as part of a dessert board, paired with cheeses and berries for a sweet-savory twist!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep any leftover Dark Chocolate Raspberry Bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days. They stay soft and flavorful, making them perfect for snacking or lunchbox treats all week long.
Freezing
Want to stash some away for later? These freeze beautifully! Simply layer the cooled bars between sheets of parchment in a freezer-safe container and enjoy within one month. Thaw at room temperature for a treat on demand.
Reheating
For that fresh-from-the-oven magic, warm individual bars in the microwave for 10–15 seconds. The chocolate will melt just enough for that irresistible gooey-ness, making each bite feel extra indulgent.
FAQs
Can I use milk chocolate instead of dark chocolate?
Absolutely! You can easily swap in milk chocolate chips or even white chocolate if that’s your jam. Just know that the Dark Chocolate Raspberry Bars owe much of their deep flavor to the bittersweet notes of the dark chocolate, so the taste will be sweeter and a little less intense with milk chocolate.
Are there other preserves I can use?
Yes, feel free to experiment! Blackberry, cherry, or even apricot preserves would make delicious alternatives. Each fruit creates a unique pairing with the chocolate, but if you want to stay true to the original punchy flavor, raspberry is the classic.
Can I make this recipe gluten-free?
Definitely! Substitute your favorite gluten-free all-purpose flour blend for the regular flour at a 1:1 ratio. Just be sure the blend includes xanthan gum if your mix doesn’t already have it, so you get bars that hold together nicely.
How do I know when the bars are done baking?
Look for a top that’s lightly golden, with bubbling edges and a set center. Ovens can vary, so check around the 30-minute mark and add a few extra minutes as needed. Letting them cool will also help the bars set up perfectly for slicing.
Can I make Dark Chocolate Raspberry Bars ahead for a party?
Yes! These bars are fantastic for make-ahead entertaining since the flavor only gets better after a day. Bake, cool, slice, and store them in a covered container, then plate them up just before your guests arrive for a fuss-free, crowd-pleasing dessert.
Final Thoughts
Baking a batch of Dark Chocolate Raspberry Bars is the kind of small joy we could all use more of. They’re easy to whip up, seriously crowd-pleasing, and bring together the best of fruit and chocolate in every single bite. Grab your ingredients and treat yourself—you’re just about to discover a new favorite!
Print
Dark Chocolate Raspberry Bars Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 16 bars
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Indulge in the rich, decadent combination of dark chocolate and raspberry with these delightful bars. Perfect for a sweet treat or special occasion, these bars are a delicious blend of buttery crust, sweet raspberry preserves, and luscious dark chocolate, topped with a hint of nuts for added crunch.
Ingredients
Crust:
1 cup unsalted butter (softened), 1/2 cup granulated sugar, 1/4 cup brown sugar, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, 2 cups all-purpose flour, 1/2 teaspoon salt
Filling:
3/4 cup raspberry preserves
Topping:
1 cup dark chocolate chips or chopped dark chocolate, 1/2 cup chopped nuts (optional, such as almonds or pecans)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line an 8×8-inch or 9×9-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving a slight overhang for easy removal.
- Prepare the dough: In a large bowl, cream together the butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar, and vanilla until light and fluffy. Add the flour and salt, and mix until a soft dough forms.
- Layer the ingredients: Press two-thirds of the dough evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan. Spread the raspberry preserves over the dough layer. Sprinkle the dark chocolate evenly over the raspberry layer. Crumble the remaining dough over the top, and sprinkle with chopped nuts if using.
- Bake: Bake for 30–35 minutes, or until the top is lightly golden and the edges are bubbly.
- Cool and slice: Let cool completely in the pan before lifting out and slicing into bars.
Notes
- For a richer chocolate flavor, drizzle melted dark chocolate over the cooled bars.
- You can use seedless raspberry preserves for a smoother texture.
- Bars store well in an airtight container for up to 4 days or can be frozen for up to 1 month.
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