Looking for a quick dessert to whip up for a crowd or just the family?
These amazing dessert bar recipes will give you the ideas you need to get started!
Here are some of the ones I love:
S’mores Cookie Bars
Source: Something Swanky
SMORE than a feeling…
Do you know what absolutely stinks about being from Michigan?
The fact that I can have smores for about 2 months out of the year. It’s too windy and cold at night most of the time April-June, July and August are the prime months, and then it gets too cool at night again after August
I am so thankful for my baking ability, but more importantly, Pinterest
Smores are one of my all time favorite treats, and when I find a gem, like these smores cookie bars, I have to share with the world
So, how would I describe these?
Soft like a perfectly cooked marshmallow, chewy like a chocolate bar, with a slightly crunchy graham cracker crunch that helps it come all together
We always make these around Christmas time and I kid you not, I have a routine for these. I turn the fireplace on, get cozy on the couch with a soft and warm blanket, and for just one moment…it feels like summer
Yes, after that moment I walk outside or up to my bedroom and am drilled by utter freezingness but hey, at least these cookie bars give me that moment of summer tranquility
I really do love these a little Smore every time I make them!
Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Bars
Source: Wine & Glue
For some people, oatmeal cookies that look like chocolate chip cookies are the start of a lifetime of trust issues
I’m obsessed with oatmeal cookies, but I’ll be honest. I don’t like it when they trick me
I’ll be at a bakery, and I’ll choose what I’m thinking is a decadent and ooey gooey chocolate chip cookie, and SURPRISE! It’s an oatmeal cookie
And when that happens, I’m not happy
I’ve been with friends and family when this too has happened to them, only it’s much worse. Some people genuinely hate oatmeal cookies and it can seriously be a day ruiner ?
With this oatmeal chocolate chip bar comes greatness. These combine the best parts about both oatmeal cookies and chocolate chip cookies in one bar
Plus, because they have chocolate not raisins it makes them sweeter and chocolatey so you’re not overpowered by the oatmeal flavor but you get a taste of it…
Also because well, they are bars, so you don’t have to scoop up cookies and they are amazing either warm or cold
This is one smart cookie (bar) ?
Rocky Mountain Avalanche Bars
Source: House of Nash Eats
“Even the largest avalanche is triggered by small things” -Vernor Vinge
What gets to you guys and really grinds your gears?
For me, it was always my dad pacing while he was on the phone. I would be in my room concentrating on my homework or watching tv with my siblings or mom in the living room and if he was on the phone, nowhere was safe from the pacer
I moved out to attend college and I swear, our relationship got so much better. It was to the point where I was constantly annoyed by him
Flash forward about six years later to me moving in with my now husband and oh boy. My nightmare came true. ANOTHER PACER!
Can someone please tell me if this is a guy thing or if I’m just that unlucky?
Well, if this quote is true then this avalanche is about to take down the world. Prepare for your tastebuds to be triggered!
These rocky mountain avalanche bars are absolutely incredible. Can you imagine the flavor after combining peanut butter, white chocolate, rice krispies, AND marshmallows together all in one pan?
And I’m obsessed with the textures of these bars. There is the almost a fudge like consistency of the creamy peanut butter and white chocolate, which contrasts with the crunchy rice krispies and the soft, fluffy marshmallows that add a chewy element
This will be a peak experience for your taste buds!
Cake Mix Cookie Bars
Source: Build Your Bite
If you’ve been following me for a while then you know I’m not the biggest fan of using store bought cake or brownie mix
I don’t like all the additives, and I like to know exactly what is in what I’m making without all the foreign ingredients
The taste of something homemade vs boxed is usually unmatched. Every now and again though, when it’s more than just convenient and it tastes homemade, I find something worth posting
Plus, let’s be honest. Sometimes you’re in a rush and you need something and fast. I can definitely relate especially around the holiday’s to feeling like I need to pick and choose what’s going to be greatness, and what’s going to be boxed mix average
With these, you really don’t need to choose!
The best part about this cookie bar recipe is you can have the convenience of the cake mix without compromising the flavor
All you need to make this cake mix dessert is a box of yellow cake mix, olive oil, eggs, and chocolate chips or chunks. And voila! A dessert that’s good enough to fool anyone
They are ooey, gooey, chocolatey, and sweet. These are perfect in a pinch, and honestly perfect even when you’re not
All the time saved making these will make you feel like one smart cookie!
Seven Layer Bars
Source: Living Well Mom
What are your holiday traditions like? Do you spend Christmas with extended family or at home with your kids?
Our Christmas seems to change every year which can kind of a pain for this type A personality
Some years we will spend Christmas at my husbands extended family party and Christmas with my kids, parents, sisters, and other times Christmas Eve is spent at home and Christmas day is a travel day
Regardless of what the plans are, I always end up taking more responsibility than I can handle with the baking. Again, another type A trait that I can’t seem to shake
I’m not the biggest walnut or coconut fan in desserts, but I know a lot of people who are…
Specifically a very important person. My dad absolutely loves these 7 layer magic cookie bars that I make for him around the holidays and I’ll be honest they are one of the few desserts I like that contain coconut, butterscotch, and walnuts
The chocolate chips and cracker crumbs added to make for a moist but crunchy-at-the-same-time time bar and the flavors are so different that you don’t feel overpowered with coconut or butterscotch flavors
If you have a lover of any of these ingredients I definitely recommend these bars on your cookie plate this holiday season!
Cheesecake Bars
Source: Mildly Meandering
What kind of music does cheese listen to….?? R and Brie!
Sorry, I’ve been meaning to use that one
Cheesecake is the bomb. I think it’s hands down one of the best desserts on the planet
I’m well aware that there are plenty of people who don’t like cheesecake and sometimes I just want to sit every single person down and ask “why” ?
Like, I need a list of reasons that make sense otherwise it’s not valid. I really think cheesecake combines the best of all worlds. It’s creamy, sweet, perfect as chocolate, strawberry, vanilla, or swirled flavor, and rich
To be honest, cheesecake is one of those things I don’t mind buying at the store, and I’ll definitely have a piece on a date night with my husband because it’s hard to go wrong with it
These cheesecake BARS have turned my world upside down. Delicious layered bars with a sugar cookie crust, cheesecake filling, and a crumb topping… UM YUM!
If you thought cheesecake couldn’t get any better try biting into it with a freaking sugar cookie crust. These look pretty, are easy to make, stay well in the fridge, and are perfect at any event or get together
I highly recommend taking them somewhere with more people because they are that addicting
One of my favorite bars of all time for sure!
Salted Caramel Billionaire Bars Recipe
Source: Thrifty Nifty Mommy
If I was a rich girl… Nanananana
Then I’d have all the money in the world if I was a wealthy girl!
How catchy, and also dumb is that song by Gwen Stefani? If I was a billionaire, of course after making sure my kids, parents, and sisters are well off and donating a large chunk I would two things
Okay I would do a lot more than two things but I know for a certain fact I would build a huge cat sanctuary on a large plot of land (crazy cat lady alert), and I would travel
Everywhere. All over not only the entire US but the world. There’s a reason they say traveling is so addicting because it is. It changes your life for the better, it really does. What would you do with billions of dollars?
So, which side are you on? Car-mel, or Car-a-mel?
If you were a billionaire it wouldn’t really matter because regardless you’d be making these billionaire caramel bars. Sweet and gooey, chewy and chocolatey, they are simply irresistible!
These are loaded, and I mean loaded, with salted caramel and chocolate chip flavors. Most bars are good cold and trust me these are too but what I like the most about them is that they are even better warm
I love how these basically melt in your mouth and the explosion of caramel and chocolate flavors
These are a definite crowd pleaser!
Lemon Bars
Source: Recipe Girl
Sometimes you just need some lemon aid to make your day better. I love lemon desserts in general ?
I think there’s something to be said about shaking it up with some lemon flavors, especially during the spring and summer months. Lemon is just… It’s clean, it’s refreshing, and as long as the flavor isn’t overpowering it makes for a sweet and decadent dessert
This is so delicious and absolutely perfect for a spring breakfast, mother’s day dessert, or sunshiney summer morning
The flaky shortbread crust is topped with the most luscious lemon filling. A sweet, crunchy glaze tops it off to make for the perfect yet not overpowering lemon dessert
Want to know the best part about these?
The crust, filling, and glaze are all homemade but there is only 7 ingredients TOTAL. That’s a huge win in my book
These rolls are my main squeeze!
Strawberry Cheesecake Bars
Source: This Silly Girls Kitchen
Anytime I see a recipe where one of the main ingredients are Oreo’s, I get the urge to try them
The thing is, Oreo’s never get boring for anybody. They are the most purchased box dessert at the store, look it up, and there’s a reason for that
They’re so delicious yet so simple. I sometimes get worried they have some sort of drug in there making us all addicted because if you talk to most people, Oreo’s are THAT thing that you have to eat an entire sleeve of ?
My husband finally told me to cool it on all those desserts because there was constantly some sort of Oreo dessert in my fridge so now I choose my battles
Well, weapons out for this strawberry cheesecake bar!
These have golden Oreo crust with a creamy cheesecake filling and strawberry sauce. The name “strawberry cheesecake” suits this recipe perfect because it has quite a creamy taste with a gooey strawberry zest
This is the perfect summertime dessert after a long day of sunshiney fun or to bring to a potluck or your little one’s sport event
And guess what?
I tried to freeze leftovers and they were still just as good when I decided to take them out of the freezer again
Berry sweet, berry creamy, a big WIN in my summertime recipe book!
Reese’s Fluffernutter Bars
Source: The Soccer Mom Blog
Have you ever wondered who created Reese’s?
Well, lucky for you I love Reese’s so much I wrote an entire biography on H.B Reese in college and the story is actually awesome. Get ready for some fun facts because I’m the Reese’s connoisseur of things you never knew but should know about Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups
Reese’s initial success came after he made two candy bars after his KIDS!
Reese was originally in the dairy business and managed Hershey’s “Round Barn”
When the barn shut down in 1919, he decided to take a shot at starting his own candy company. Which is when he created “R&R Candy Co.”
There he made chocolate-covered almonds and raisins. It never did have much success and went out of business. I’ve decided that this probably because people don’t consider raisins to be candy. I mean right?
Reese went back to Hershey’s after his company went bankrupt, but he continued to experiment with treats in his basement
Reese made the Lizzy Bar, a chocolate-covered caramel and shaved coconut candy bar named after his daughter, and the Johnny Bar made with molasses and named after his son. These sweets were successful, so Reese quit Hershey’s and founded the “H.B. Reese Candy Co”
We may never have had Reese’s famous Peanut Butter Cups if it weren’t for these two candy bars
There are a million Reese’s why you need to stop what you’re doing right now and make these
Fluffernutter bars are a Reese’s PB cup fan’s dream come true, trust me, I’d know. Layers of rich peanut butter cookie dough, Reese’s peanut butter cups, and marshmallow fluff create a next level ooey gooey dessert
There’s not a time or place that these won’t be a total and complete success, and to be honest I usually just make them for the family because I don’t want to share and I want to have them more than once
If a new Peanut butter cup dessert has been on your mind rees-ently… you’re welcome in advance!
Chocolate Raspberry Bars
Source: Dear Crissy
What’s your favorite gift to receive on Valentine’s day?
Are you a flower fan, a candy connoisseur, a materialistic mom, or a homemade housewife lover?
For me, I’m a fan of anything, but not so much of flowers. I LOVE flowers, don’t get me wrong… But my husband does it best when it comes to them. (Yes, I’m bias)
I get flowers from my husband on surprise occasions. Maybe after a big day, bad day, good news, bad news, or my favorite, the just because flowers
I think unexpected flowers have so much more meaning than Valentine’s Day flowers, but I can understand the hype about those of you who get them delivered to your desk or house on Valentine’s day. I love something homemade, and chocolates
Especially chocolates. I love all of the different flavors, but my favorite is the fruit filling chocolates
If you’re a lover of those too, these are a BERRY special bar. I would describe these bars as those fruit filled chocolates in giant size with a twist
A little chewy, a little gooey, and even a little crispy around the edges, these yummy chocolate raspberry bars are a wonderful dessert that would be really nice to make around the upcoming winter holidays, or on Valentine’s Day due to the aesthetically pleasing red color of the jam used
I’m very picky about fruity desserts, and these are definitely top notch in my opinion
Fill your holiday’s with some raspberry bars this year!
Oreo Magic Bars Recipe
Source: Eating on a Dime
It’s Friday, basically the Oreo of the weekdays!
Do you feel like your weekdays go by quickly or do they drag on like a turtle running a mile on your nearest high school track?
For me, Monday and Tuesday are slow and terrible days. I feel like fun is so far away and the list of things that need to be done is always long. Finally, though, Friday comes along…
Fridays spent with my family is always a new memory made. I also spend the night before or Friday making a dessert for the weekend, and we go out to dinner all together
If you thought me, queen lover of all things Oreo, was only going to provide you with one top notch oreo recipe… then you obviously haven’t been following me long enough
These oreo magic bars take the “magic” part of the recipe to the next level. I’ll be honest, these taste as good as they look
And what I like the most about this recipe is you can see crushed crunchy oreo’s all over the bars themselves, so when you bring this dessert people know what they are getting themselves into, and everyone will want to try them
Then, when they do, they’ll realize they actually have some gooey to them too because of the melty chocolate chips and they’ll be in oreo heaven with you
Every day is Friday with this recipe!
Sugar Cookie Bars
Source: Princess Pinky Girl
My husband loves twitter. All of his college buddies are still twittering? Tweeting?
And they can keep in touch that way. He also follows sports, news, his favorite pro golfers, and obviously our current president because of the outrageous things he tweets out
I’m more of a snap chat girl myself. I love seeing what my friends kids are up to, and my kids love all of the different filters. But back to the point of this story…
My husband and I got into a little “tiff” if you will, about the most classic cookie of all time. He had the nerve to literally say Macadamia nut cookies
What? Obviously sugar cookies
It got to the point where he decided to make a “Twitter Poll” which is apparently a thing and all of his 141 followers can vote
I obviously won with 93% of the votes
He could of put up a fight with chocolate chip or even peanut butter cookies but Macadamia nut cookies? Hit the road Josh ?
Sugar cookies are just the greatest. Perfect for all occasions, good anytime morning or night, and it’s hard to mess them up
So when I found this sugar cookie bar I knew I had to try it out. Okay, these are amazing. Thick and delicious, covered with creamy whipped frosting, topped with sprinkles, and better with every bite
Can you imagine a sugar cookie that is chewy, layered, and covered with frosting?
I mean seriously, these make my dreams come true
Share them with your family, friends, neighbors, but oh yeah, none for you Gretchen Wieners, or in this case, JOSH
Zucchini Bars
Source: Cookie Dough and Oven Mitt
Do you ever find yourself wondering “what’s with all this Zucchini being added to my normal food?”
Well, don’t worry because for a while I asked myself this question too.
It seems like overnight Zucchini just became a thing. I mean obviously Zucchini has immense health benefits including the fact that they are Rich in Many Nutrients, high in antioxidants, can reduce blood sugar levels, and the obvious fact that they are way way lower in calories than the bread, pasta, and flour it’s often being substituted for
So is it worth it? Does it ruin the taste?
In the case of these zucchini bars, ABSOLUTELY NOT
The taste is different but in a good way. The bar is cinnamony, moist, nutty, and heavenly and the cream cheese frosting is the perfect compliment to them. They remind me a lot of a carrot cake, except sweeter
If you’re looking for a healthier alternative without compromising the taste I would definitely hop on making these
There is definitely a reason Zucchini is a thing, and I think I just found out why!
Peanut Butter Bars
Source: Cooking Classy
Peanut Butter and this gal have quite the love hate relationship… Always have, always will
For starters, I blame peanut butter on the weight gain in my 20’s. I would eat peanut butter with a spoon sometimes when I was sad… Or happy… Or bored… Really anytime was a good time
I just love peanut butter so much that I lose control of my own emotions, and appetite sometimes. Now that I’m a mom, peanut butter and I meet again
My kids love peanut butter so much but OMG their sticky faces and their sticky fingers getting sticky peanut butter all over their high chairs, furniture, their clothes, etc. You name it, I’ve probably removed peanut butter from it
You wanna know what I won’t compromise. This recipe every Christmas. These Peanut Butter bars are my holiday boyfriend, and it’s getting pretty serious
You get a chewy oat cookie base that’s loaded with peanut buttery flavor, then it’s topped with a layer of peanut butter after baking and finished with a decadent chocolate frosting. Peanut butter on peanut butter, how romantic
Being from Michigan and all we like to put these cookie bars out in the back porch and let the bitter cold stiffen them right up because they are even better chilled than at room temperature
I think I might even marry these!
Easy Choco-Banana Bars
Source: Mels Kitchen Cafe
Can you believe it’s finally spring! And that even better, it’s almost SUMMER?
For this Michigander every winter survived is an accomplishment. And it’s more than just the brutal winter temperatures or the giant gusts of wind throwing themselves at me
No, it’s my whole entire attitude. Seasonal depression is alive and well folks, and the only cure is the sun
Which makes life pretty difficult when the sun literally disappears for months on end. It’s to the point where when the sun finally does show it’s face, it hurts my eyes
I’m more tired in the winter, there’s never anything to do, and my daily mood is like a 7 month pregnant mommy who just found out Mcdonald’s ice cream machine is down at 11 pm
One of my all time favorite summer desserts? (If you even want to it call it that) Banana bread. An even better option?
These chocolate banana bars
What I like the best about these bars is that you get chocolate in all the right places. If you’re one of those people that loves banana bread with chocolate chips, you’ll love these even more
Plus, these bars are good anytime. They are healthier than most other desserts, are good at breakfast, lunch, snack time, or an after dinner dessert
They’re super easy to make too! In less than an hour you’ll be mouth first in one of these, or maybe 5 of these
You’ll find these bars very aPEELing this summer!
Snickerdoodle Blondies
Source: Live Well Bake Often
A couple of Sundays ago I was at a church potluck and I made these snickerdoodle blondies
One of the women approached me and said: “these sugar cookies are amazing, I need the recipe!”
I know she was trying to be nice but come on. Sugar cookies?
These are SNICKERDOODLES
I know, the diva baker in me is fully out. I was polite and thanked her and asked her for her email to give her the recipe but the whole way home I kept thinking about how she called my snickerdoodles sugar cookies
Sorry to break it to you HELEN but traditional sugar cookies are rolled in white sugar whereas snickerdoodles are rolled in a mixture of white sugar and cinnamon
Honestly, these snickerdoodle blondie bars are so good that people can come them whatever they want. These are like classic snickerdoodles on steroids
They have a slightly tangy flavor that you know and love so much in regular snickerdoodle cookies. And the cinnamon and sugar topping?
It stays perfectly on top of these little blondies!
I would even go as far as to say the flavor is a little sweeter than snickerdoodles. And the chewy consistency? Nailed it
Snickerdoodle Sugar cookie tomato tom-ot-oh just make these ASAP and thank me later
Chocolate Chip Cookie Butter Bars
Source: Butternut Bakery
I am a Trader Joe’s fanatic
Where I live in Grand Rapids they opened one up about 5 years ago and life as I know it has never been the same
While you peasants are rolling your shopping carts around the nearest whole foods I’m trading with Joe on my high horse and I couldn’t be happier ?
They have so many amazing products and every time I go I always pick up something new. Their best product? Cookie Butter
If you’ve never had cookie butter before you need to get in your car, drive to your nearest Trader Joe’s even if it’s states away, and pick some up ASAP
Or you know, Amazon is a thing now I guess so you could just buy it
So what is cookie butter and what does it taste like?
Cookie butter is made from Speculoos cookies, which are crunchy, shortbread spice biscuits from the Netherlands and Belgium that taste faintly like gingerbread. These biscuits are ground up and then mixed with vegetable oils to produce a spread that has a consistency similar to peanut butter
Who wouldn’t want to spoon their cookies out of a jar?
Plus, it’s not incredibly unhealthy and it spruces anything baked right up
These bars. Are better than peanut butter. Or cookie butter. The best part about them?
The cookie butter makes them double the cookie!
With layers of doughy chocolate chip cookie and cookie butter, these bars are soft, chewy, and full of cookie flavor. The chocolate combined with the cookie butter is an incredible flavor, and the bars are one of my favorite bar textures of all time
This will be a new staple to your holiday cookies, you butter believe it!
Cookie Butter: Speculoos Cookie Butter on Amazon
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