Dessert bars can be a delicious and easy treat to make. Dessert bars are a type of baked good that are typically cut into rectangular or square shapes and served as individual servings. They can be made with a variety of different ingredients and flavors, such as chocolate, caramel, nuts, fruit, and more.
| Ingredients: | |
| 1 | 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour |
| 2 | 1 tsp baking soda |
| 3 | 1 tsp salt |
| 4 | 1 cup unsalted butter, softened |
| 5 | 3/4 cup granulated sugar |
| 6 | 3/4 cup brown sugar |
| 7 | 2 large eggs |
| 8 | 2 tsp vanilla extract |
| 9 | 2 cups chocolate chips |
Step-by-step cooking instructions of Dessert Bars:
Step-1 Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
Step-2 In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt.
Step-3 In a large mixing bowl, beat together the butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until creamy.
Step-4 Add the eggs and vanilla extract to the large mixing bowl and beat until well combined.
Step-5 Gradually mix in the dry ingredients from the medium-sized bowl until just combined.
Step-6 Stir in the chocolate chips.
Step-7 Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish and spread the batter evenly into the dish.
Step-8 Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the top is golden brown.
Step-9 Let cool in the pan for 10 minutes before slicing and serving.
Nutritional value of Dessert Bars:
Nutritional value of Dessert Bars Of:
| 1 | Calories 226. |
| 2 | Total Fat 11g 14% |
| 3 | Saturated Fat 6.6g 33% |
| 4 | Trans Fat 0g. |
| 5 | Polyunsaturated Fat 0.6g. |
| 6 | Monounsaturated Fat 3.2g. |
| 7 | Cholesterol 48mg 16% |
| 8 | Sodium 133mg 6% |
Background History of Dessert Bars:
The history of dessert bars is not clear cut, as the concept of baked goods in bar form has been around for centuries. However, here is a brief overview of how dessert bars have evolved over time:
In the early 1900s, recipes for “bar cookies” began appearing in cookbooks. These were typically made with a shortbread or cookie base and topped with fruit, nuts, or chocolate.
During World War II, the popularity of bars increased due to their portability and ease of shipping to soldiers overseas. Recipes for “ration bars” were developed using ingredients like dried fruit, nuts, and sugar.
In the 1950s and 60s, bars became even more popular with the rise of convenience foods and home baking. Recipes for classic desserts like brownies, lemon bars, and cheesecake bars became widely available.
In the 1970s and 80s, the trend of layered bars emerged, with recipes like “magic bars” and “seven-layer bars” becoming popular. These often included a graham cracker or cookie base, a layer of sweetened condensed milk, and various toppings like chocolate chips, coconut, and nuts.
Today, dessert bars continue to be a popular treat, with endless variations and flavors to choose from. They remain a favorite for parties and gatherings due to their ease of transport and ability to serve a crowd.
Overall, the evolution of dessert bars reflects the changing times and trends in home baking and convenience foods over the past century.
| Advantages of Dessert Bars: | |
| 1 | Portability: Dessert bars are easy to transport and make a great option for picnics, potlucks, and other gatherings. |
| 2 | Versatility: There are endless variations of dessert bars, from classic brownies to more unique flavors like lavender and honey. |
| 3 | Convenience: Dessert bars are often easier to make than traditional cakes and pies, as they require minimal shaping or decoration. |
| 4 | Customizable: Dessert bars can be tailored to individual preferences and dietary restrictions, with options like gluten-free, vegan, and low-sugar. |
| Disadvantages of Dessert Bars: | |
| 1 | High in Sugar: Dessert bars are typically high in sugar, which can contribute to weight gain and other health problems if consumed in excess. |
| 2 | Low in Nutrients: Most dessert bars are not very nutrient-dense, meaning they don’t provide many vitamins or minerals compared to more whole-food based desserts. |
| 3 | Easy to Overindulge: Due to their small size and portability, it can be tempting to eat more dessert bars than intended, leading to excess calorie intake. |
| 4 | May Contain Additives: Some store-bought dessert bars may contain artificial additives and preservatives to extend shelf life, which can be detrimental to overall health. |
Overall, dessert bars can be a delicious and convenient treat when enjoyed in moderation as part of a balanced diet.
Compare with Similar meal of Dessert Bars:
Some similar meals or desserts might include:
| 1 | Cakes: Like dessert bars, cakes are a baked dessert typically made with flour, sugar, and eggs. However, cakes are often larger and more labor-intensive to make than dessert bars. |
| 2 | Pies: Pies are similar to dessert bars in that they often have a crust and a sweet filling. However, pies are usually larger and more time-consuming to make than dessert bars. |
| 3 | Cookies: Cookies are also a baked dessert, but are typically smaller and flatter than dessert bars. They also usually don’t have a filling or topping like many dessert bars do. |
| 4 | Candy: While not a baked dessert, candy is another type of sweet treat that is similar to dessert bars in terms of its high sugar content. However, candy is typically more processed and less wholesome than dessert bars. |
Overall, dessert bars can be a convenient and delicious dessert option when enjoyed in moderation as part of a balanced diet.
Mostly questions asked about Dessert Bars:
Q: What are dessert bars?
A: Dessert bars are a type of baked dessert that are typically made with a base of flour, sugar, and butter, and topped with various fillings, such as fruit, nuts, chocolate, or cream cheese.
Q: How are dessert bars different from other desserts?
A: Dessert bars are typically smaller and more compact than other desserts like cakes or pies. They are also often more portable and easier to transport.
Q: What are some popular types of dessert bars?
A: Some popular types of dessert bars include brownies, lemon bars, magic bars, seven-layer bars, and cheesecake bars.
Q: Are dessert bars healthy?
A: Due to their typical high sugar and calorie content, dessert bars are not regarded as particularly healthy dietary options. But they can be eaten in moderation and included in a healthy diet.
Q: Can dessert bars be made with alternative ingredients?
A: Yes, dessert bars can be made with alternative ingredients such as gluten-free flours, dairy-free substitutes, and natural sweeteners like honey or maple syrup.
Q: Are there any tips for making the perfect dessert bars?
A: Some tips for making the perfect dessert bars include using high-quality ingredients, ensuring the base is cooked thoroughly before adding toppings, and allowing the bars to cool completely before cutting and serving.
Q: How do you present dessert bars?
A: Top Tips for Setting up a Dessert Bar
- Keep it cool. …
- Provide access at all angles. …
- Go for high-low displays. …
- ID your treats. …
- Coordinate your tablecloth. …
- Keep candles off the table. …
- Make it simple for visitors to self-serve.
- Get creative with favor baggies and boxes.
Q: How do you keep dessert bars fresh?
A: Generally speaking, everything needs to be totally cooled before being stacked in resealable plastic bags or containers. To stack, divide the layers using a parchment or wax paper sheet. Avoid overfilling the containers and mixing different “flavors.”
Q: What makes dessert important?
A: Dessert indicates to your body that you are full, which reduces the likelihood that you will go for mindless snacks afterward. Another approach to enjoy dessert without it having a detrimental effect on your wellbeing is to move around afterward.
Q: How do you cut dessert bars?
A: Insert three toothpicks evenly spaced along the four sides of the cooled bars to create clean, precise slices. Cut across the bars diagonally, starting at one corner (the lower left is a good place to start), and going from one toothpick to the next that is closest on the perpendicular side.
