Chocolate Shock Bars

In the event you’re something like me, you’ve acquired a smooth spot for these old-school, cozy desserts that include just a little thriller baked in. These Chocolate Shock Bars are precisely that—half brownie, half cake, half one thing completely surprising. The “shock” right here? A wealthy, gooey layer of candy dates that provides moisture, taste, and simply the correct amount of nostalgia.

Chocolate surprise bars cut into squares.

This recipe has been a favourite in our household for years. It’s a type of treats that appears easy on the surface however wows as soon as you’re taking a chunk. The smooth, chocolatey base is studded with melty chocolate chips and crunchy walnuts, and the dates soften proper into the batter to create this nearly caramel-like depth. And don’t skip the dusting of powdered sugar on high—it provides them that old style, bakery-style end.

Whether or not you’re making a batch for the vacations, a potluck, or simply since you’re craving one thing cozy and chocolatey, these bars all the time hit the spot. They’re just a little retro, just a little surprising, and 100% scrumptious.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

It’s filled with surprises. You’d by no means guess there are dates in these bars, however they make the feel so wealthy and moist that you simply’ll be hooked after the primary chunk.
Excellent stability of textures. Mushy and fudgy with simply the correct amount of crunch from the walnuts and melty pockets of chocolate chips.
Straightforward to make. No fancy methods right here—simply combine, bake, and revel in. It’s an ideal recipe for newbie bakers or if you need one thing fast however spectacular.
Old style allure. These bars really feel like one thing straight out of grandma’s recipe field (in one of the best ways potential).
Crowd-pleaser. Convey them to a celebration or bake sale, they usually’ll disappear quick—belief me, folks love the chocolate-date combo.
Freezer-friendly. You can also make a batch forward of time and freeze for later—in the event that they even final that lengthy!

Components

The total printable recipe card with measurements and directions is discovered on the backside of the publish.

Chopped dates – These soften into the batter for a wealthy, nearly caramel-like taste and additional moisture. Medjool or Deglet Noor each work nicely.
Boiling water – Softens the dates and helps create that gooey texture we’re after.
Baking soda – Added to the dates and water to assist break them down and increase softness.
Unsalted butter – Provides the bars a wealthy taste and tender crumb. Be sure it’s softened so it lotions simply with the sugar.
Salt – Just a bit brings out the chocolate and balances the sweetness.
All-purpose flour – Sifting helps hold the feel mild. Measure after sifting to remain correct.
Cocoa powder – Provides a chocolatey base taste. Go for unsweetened for greatest outcomes.
Sugar – Sweetens the bars and helps them brown up properly within the oven.
Eggs – Bind every thing collectively and add construction. Convey them to room temp for higher mixing.
Chopped walnuts – Add crunch and a toasty taste distinction to the smooth bars. Be at liberty to swap with pecans or skip should you want nut-free.
Semisweet chocolate chips – The star of the present! These soften into gooey pockets all through the bars.
Powdered sugar – A light-weight dusting on high provides a reasonably end and a contact of sweetness. Sift it on as soon as the bars are absolutely cooled.

Find out how to Make Chocolate Shock Bars

Step One: Preheat the oven to 350℉.
Step Two: Place chopped dates in a bowl and canopy with baking soda and boiling water. Let the combination cool utterly within the fridge or freezer.

Collage of preparing the dates in a bowl.

Step Three: Utilizing a Kitchen Support or a hand mixer, whip the softened butter and sugar collectively till nicely blended, about 45 seconds. Add within the eggs and blend nicely to mix.
Step 4: Sift the flour, salt, and cocoa powder collectively. After you sift, guarantee you will have 2 cups of the flour combination.
Step 5: Add the dry elements to the moist elements slowly and stir.

Step Six: As soon as the date combination is totally cool, fold within the date combination, ½ cup of the walnuts, and the chocolate chips.
Step Seven: Combine nicely with a big spoon by hand, then pour the batter right into a 9×13 glass Pyrex dish.
Step Eight: Sprinkle a handful of chocolate chip morsels and walnuts on high of the batter.
Step 9: Cook dinner uncovered for half-hour.
Step Ten: As soon as bars are utterly cooled, reduce into squares and mud with powdered sugar.

Collage of mixing ingredients and spreading in the baking pan.

Store Advisable Merchandise!

From cookware to useful kitchen devices, try all my favourite merchandise used to create on a regular basis recipes!

What to Serve With Them

These Chocolate Shock Bars are fairly irresistible all on their very own, however if you wish to costume them up just a little or make them half of a bigger unfold, listed here are some tasty concepts:

A sizzling cup of espresso or tea – The richness of the bars pairs completely with a heat drink. Strive them with a daring espresso or a comfortable chai latte.
Vanilla ice cream – Heat up a bar for just a few seconds within the microwave and high with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Instantaneous dessert heaven!
Contemporary berries – Strawberries, raspberries, or perhaps a few slices of banana add a refreshing distinction to the wealthy chocolatey taste.
Whipped cream – A dollop of freshly whipped cream on the aspect is straightforward however so satisfying.
Vacation dessert tray – Add these to a platter with different cookies and bars for a nostalgic, crowd-pleasing choice.

Variations and Substitutions

Swap the nuts – Not a fan of walnuts? Strive pecans, almonds, or go away the nuts out totally in order for you a smoother texture.
Use milk or darkish chocolate chips – Semisweet is traditional, however milk chocolate makes them additional candy, and darkish chocolate provides a wealthy, daring taste.
Add shredded coconut – A handful of sweetened shredded coconut provides these bars just a little tropical twist and additional chew.
Strive white chocolate chips – For a enjoyable shock, swap some semisweet chips for white chocolate.
Make them gluten-free – Use a 1:1 gluten-free flour mix as an alternative of standard flour. Simply you should definitely sift it for a light-weight texture.
Use buttercream frosting as an alternative of powdered sugar – Need one thing just a little extra decadent? Unfold a layer of chocolate or vanilla buttercream on high as soon as the bars are cool.
Add a spoonful of cocoa powder to deepen the chocolate taste – In the event you love additional chocolatey desserts, bump up the cocoa just a bit for a extra intense chunk.

A piece of the recipe with a bite out of it.

Storage Directions

These bars retailer fantastically—should you handle to have any leftovers!

Room temperature: Preserve them in an hermetic container on the counter for as much as 3 days. Simply ensure that they’re utterly cooled earlier than storing in order that they don’t get soggy.
Fridge: In case your kitchen runs heat otherwise you need them to final just a little longer, pop them within the fridge. They’ll keep contemporary for as much as every week. Allow them to sit at room temp for a couple of minutes earlier than serving in order that they soften up a bit.
Freezer: These bars freeze like a dream! Wrap particular person squares in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer-safe bag or container. Freeze for as much as 2 months. Whenever you’re able to take pleasure in, thaw on the counter or give them a fast zap within the microwave for a heat, gooey deal with.

The recipe on a counter with a powdered sugar container.

Recipe Ideas and Tips

Cool the date combination utterly – That is key! If it’s nonetheless heat if you add it to the batter, it may well soften the chocolate chips and have an effect on the feel.
Don’t skip the sifting – It would really feel like an additional step, however sifting the flour and cocoa makes an enormous distinction in holding the bars mild and smooth.
Use room temperature eggs and butter – They combine extra simply and evenly, providing you with a smoother batter.
Combine by hand on the finish – As soon as every thing’s mixed, change to a spoon for the ultimate combine. It helps keep away from overmixing and retains the feel excellent.
Add additional chips and nuts on high – A small handful sprinkled over the batter earlier than baking makes for a reasonably end and additional bursts of taste.
Cool utterly earlier than chopping – The bars agency up as they cool, so give them time earlier than slicing. This helps them maintain their form (and makes the powdered sugar keep put!).

Should-Make Dessert Recipes

Comply with me on Instagram @simplystacieblog, Fb at Merely Stacie, TikTok @simplystacierecipes or Pinterest at @simplystacie and let me understand how you favored this recipe and my different recipes.

Created by Stacie Vaughan

Prep Time 30 minutes

Cook dinner Time 30 minutes

Complete Time 1 hour

Wealthy, fudgy Chocolate Shock Bars made with dates, walnuts, and chocolate chips. A nostalgic dessert with a moist texture and candy, chocolatey taste.

Preheat the oven to 350℉.
Place chopped dates in a bowl and canopy with baking soda and boiling water. Let the combination cool utterly within the fridge or freezer.
Utilizing a stand mixer or a hand mixer, whip the softened butter and sugar collectively till nicely blended, about 45 seconds. Add within the eggs and blend nicely to mix.
Sift the flour, salt and cocoa powder collectively. Guarantee you will have 2 cups of the flour combination after you sift.
Add the dry elements to the moist elements slowly and stir.
As soon as the date combination is totally cool, fold within the date combination, ½ cup of the walnuts and chocolate chips.
By hand, combine nicely with a big spoon and pour batter right into a 9×13-inch baking dish.
Sprinkle a handful of chocolate chip morsels and walnuts on high of the batter.
Cook dinner uncovered for half-hour.
As soon as bars are utterly cooled, reduce into squares and mud with powdered sugar.

Store the really useful merchandise
Plus browse all of my favourite merchandise I take advantage of to create simple on a regular basis recipes!

The knowledge proven is an estimate offered by a web-based diet calculator. It shouldn’t be thought-about an alternative to knowledgeable nutritionist’s recommendation.

Course Desserts

Delicacies American

Key phrase bars

Did you make this recipe?

I’d like to see it! Be sure to share it in your favourite social platform.

Need Even Extra Recipes?

Be part of Mothers Finest Recipes to seek out extra scrumptious household recipes.

free e-book!

The Better of Merely Stacie

Whenever you subscribe to the publication for the most recent updates!

Chocolate Shock Bars – Merely Stacie

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Components