Description: Decadent chocolate raspberry crumb bars featuring a buttery, crumbly crust, a luscious raspberry filling, and a generous topping of chocolate chips and optional nuts. These bars are the perfect balance of sweet and tart, with a delightful textural contrast that makes them irresistible.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup raspberry preserves (high-quality recommended)
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- ½ cup chopped nuts (walnuts, pecans, or almonds – optional)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Preparation:
- Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Prepare a 9×13-inch baking dish by greasing it generously with butter or lining it with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the sides for easy removal of the bars later. This ensures the bars don’t stick and are easy to lift out after baking.
- Step 2: In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. This step is crucial for creating a tender crumb. Use an electric mixer for best results, and scrape down the sides of the bowl occasionally to ensure even mixing. The mixture should be pale and airy.
- Step 3: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. This ensures the baking powder and salt are evenly distributed throughout the flour, which is essential for proper leavening and flavor.
- Step 4: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the creamed butter and sugar mixture. Mix on low speed until a crumbly dough forms. Be careful not to overmix, as this can develop the gluten in the flour and result in a tough crust. The dough should resemble coarse crumbs.
- Step 5: Press half of the crumbly dough evenly into the prepared baking dish to form a firm base. Use your fingers or the back of a spoon to press the dough firmly and evenly across the bottom of the dish. This will create a solid foundation for the raspberry filling and chocolate chips.
Instructions:
- Spread the raspberry preserves evenly over the pressed dough base. Use a high-quality raspberry preserve for the best flavor. Avoid preserves that are too runny, as they can make the crust soggy.
- Sprinkle the semi-sweet chocolate chips evenly over the raspberry preserves. If you’re using nuts, sprinkle them over the chocolate chips as well. Feel free to adjust the amount of chocolate chips and nuts to your preference.
- Crumble the remaining dough evenly over the top of the chocolate chips and nuts. Gently press the crumbs down slightly to help them adhere to the filling. You don’t need to press them down firmly; just enough to ensure they don’t fall off during baking.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the raspberry filling is bubbly. The edges of the bars should also be slightly browned.
- Remove from the oven and let the bars cool completely in the baking dish before cutting into squares or bars. This is important, as the bars will be too soft to cut cleanly while they are still warm. Cooling allows the filling to set and the crust to firm up.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe:
This recipe is a winner because it’s incredibly easy to make, requires minimal ingredients, and delivers maximum flavor. The combination of the buttery, crumbly crust, the tangy raspberry filling, and the rich chocolate chips is simply divine. It’s also highly customizable – you can easily substitute different types of nuts, chocolate, or fruit preserves to create your own unique variations. These bars are perfect for a casual dessert, potluck, or holiday gathering. Plus, they are a great make-ahead treat as the flavors meld together beautifully over time.
Serving Suggestions:
- Serve the chocolate raspberry crumb bars as is, or with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream.
- Dust the bars with powdered sugar for an elegant presentation.
- Pair them with a cup of coffee or tea for a delightful afternoon treat.
- Cut them into smaller squares for a party platter or dessert buffet.
Tips:
- Make sure your butter is softened but not melted. This will ensure a tender and crumbly crust.
- Use high-quality raspberry preserves for the best flavor. Seedless preserves are a good option if you prefer a smoother texture.
- Don’t overmix the dough, as this can result in a tough crust.
- Let the bars cool completely before cutting to prevent them from crumbling.
- Store leftover bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes
Nutritional Information (per bar, approximate):
- Calories: 250
- Protein: 3g
- Sodium: 100mg
Conclusion:
These Chocolate Raspberry Crumb Bars are a delightful and easy-to-make treat that’s sure to please everyone. The combination of the buttery crust, tart raspberry filling, and rich chocolate chips is a match made in heaven. Whether you’re looking for a simple dessert to bake for your family or a crowd-pleasing treat for a special occasion, this recipe is a guaranteed success. Enjoy!
Questions and Answers:
- Can I use frozen raspberries instead of raspberry preserves? While you could try using frozen raspberries, the results may not be as consistent. Frozen raspberries tend to release a lot of moisture during baking, which can make the crust soggy. If you do use frozen raspberries, be sure to thaw them completely and drain off any excess liquid before adding them to the bars. You might also want to add a tablespoon or two of cornstarch to the raspberries to help absorb the excess moisture. I highly recommend using high-quality raspberry preserves for the best texture and flavor.
- Can I substitute the all-purpose flour with gluten-free flour? Yes, you can substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free all-purpose blend. Look for a blend that contains xanthan gum, as this will help to bind the ingredients together and prevent the crust from becoming too crumbly. Keep in mind that the texture of the bars may be slightly different when using gluten-free flour, but they should still be delicious.
- Can I use a different type of chocolate? Absolutely! Feel free to experiment with different types of chocolate chips, such as milk chocolate, dark chocolate, or white chocolate. You could even use chopped chocolate bars instead of chocolate chips. The possibilities are endless! Just be sure to use a high-quality chocolate that you enjoy the taste of.
- Can I make these bars ahead of time? Yes, these bars are a great make-ahead dessert. You can bake them a day or two in advance and store them in an airtight container at room temperature. In fact, the flavors often meld together and improve over time. You can also freeze the baked bars for up to 2-3 months. Wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and then place them in a freezer-safe container. Thaw them completely at room temperature before serving.
- What can I do if the crumb topping is too dry? If the crumb topping seems too dry and isn’t holding together well, you can add a tablespoon or two of melted butter to the mixture. Mix it in with your fingers until the crumbs are moist and clumpy. This will help them to adhere better to the filling and prevent them from becoming too dry during baking. You can also add a teaspoon of milk or cream.
