Irresistible Dark Chocolate Raspberry Pie Bars Recipe To Savor

Indulgent layers of rich dark chocolate raspberry pie bars dance across your taste buds with irresistible elegance.

Silky chocolate melts seamlessly with bright, tangy raspberries in this show-stopping dessert.

Buttery, crumbly crust provides the perfect foundation for these delectable treats.

Sweet-tart berries burst through each luxurious bite, creating a harmonious flavor profile.

Delicate raspberry swirls peek through velvety chocolate, promising a sensory experience that delights the palate.

Crafted with simple ingredients and minimal effort, these bars transform an ordinary afternoon into a gourmet celebration.

Prepare to fall in love with every decadent, mouthwatering slice.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 50 minutes

Calories: 289 kcal

Servings: 17

What You’ll Need for Dark Chocolate Raspberry Pie Bars

• All-Purpose Flour: Provides structure and base for the buttery crust, select unbleached flour for best texture.
• Granulated Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps with golden browning of the crust.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances sweetness.
• Unsalted Butter: Creates rich, flaky texture, choose high-quality butter for superior taste.

• Dark Chocolate: Delivers intense, deep flavor, select high-percentage cocoa chocolate for robust taste.
• Heavy Cream: Creates smooth, luxurious filling texture, use fresh cream for best results.
• Sugar: Balances chocolate's bitterness and adds sweetness.
• Vanilla Extract: Enhances chocolate's complexity and adds aromatic depth.

• Fresh Raspberries: Brings vibrant tartness and beautiful color, choose ripe, plump berries.
• Granulated Sugar: Softens raspberry's natural tartness and helps create syrupy consistency.
• Lemon Juice: Brightens flavor and prevents raspberries from oxidizing.

Tools to Prep Dark Chocolate Raspberry Pie Bars

• 8×8-inch baking pan: Key for creating the perfect bar size and shape.
• Parchment paper: Essential for easy removal and clean cutting of bars.
• Medium-sized mixing bowl: Used for preparing the crust mixture.
• Pastry cutter or fingers: Helps blend butter into flour for crumbly crust.
• Spatula: Perfect for spreading chocolate and evening out layers.
• Saucepan: Needed to heat cream and melt chocolate smoothly.
• Small bowl: Used for preparing raspberry topping.
• Knife or toothpick: Great for creating marbled effect between layers.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Crucial for accurate ingredient proportions.

Baking Method for Dark Chocolate Raspberry Pie Bars

• Warm Up the Oven

Crank your oven to a toasty 350F. Line an 8-inch baking pan with parchment paper, letting the edges hang over for easy lifting later.

• Create the Crumbly Base

Mix flour, sugar, and a pinch of salt in a bowl. Crumble cold butter into the mix using your fingers until it looks like sandy texture. Press this mixture firmly into the pan. Bake until it turns a gorgeous golden brown, about 12-15 minutes. Let it cool down slightly.

• Craft the Chocolate

Heat cream in a saucepan until it starts to shimmer. Pull it off the heat and drop in dark chocolate. Stir until silky smooth. Mix in sugar and vanilla. Pour this luscious chocolate over the crust, spreading evenly.

• Raspberry Swirl Adventure

Crush raspberries with sugar and a splash of lemon juice. Keep some chunks for texture. Dollop the fruity mixture over the chocolate, then use a knife to create beautiful swirls.

• Bake and Chill

Pop the pan back in the oven for 20-25 minutes. The filling should look set and raspberries slightly bubbly. Let it cool completely, then refrigerate for a couple hours to let flavors dance together.

• Slice and Serve

Lift the bars out using parchment paper. Slice into squares. Sprinkle with fresh raspberries or a light dusting of powdered sugar for that extra wow factor.

Customize Dark Chocolate Raspberry Pie Bars Your Way

• Create perfect raspberry marbling by using a light hand when swirling – too much mixing will muddle the beautiful pattern.
• These bars can be prepared up to 3 days in advance and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator, making them ideal for entertaining.
• Replace wheat flour with almond flour or gluten-free flour blend to accommodate those with gluten sensitivities without compromising taste.
• Substitute heavy cream with coconut cream and use dairy-free dark chocolate for a vegan-friendly version that maintains rich, decadent flavors.
• Experiment with different berries like strawberries or blackberries for unique flavor profiles while keeping the same gorgeous swirled presentation.

Serving Ideas for Dark Chocolate Raspberry Pie Bars

• Dessert Elegance Plating: Arrange the bars on a sleek white porcelain plate, garnished with fresh mint leaves and a light dusting of powdered sugar for a sophisticated presentation.
• Berry Bliss Pairing: Serve alongside a small scoop of vanilla bean ice cream or a dollop of fresh whipped cream to complement the rich dark chocolate and tangy raspberry flavors.
• Wine and Chocolate Romance: Pair these decadent bars with a glass of port wine or a sweet dessert wine like moscato, which enhances the deep chocolate and fruity raspberry notes perfectly.
• Afternoon Tea Charm: Include these bars on a tiered dessert stand during an elegant afternoon tea, creating a delightful centerpiece that will impress guests with its rich colors and luxurious taste.

Plan and Store Dark Chocolate Raspberry Pie Bars Smartly

• Refrigerate the bars for at least 2 hours to help them set perfectly and intensify the flavor combination of dark chocolate and raspberries.
• Cut bars when completely chilled to ensure clean, sharp edges and prevent crumbling, using a sharp knife wiped clean between each cut.
• Store bars in an airtight container between layers of parchment paper in the refrigerator for up to 5 days, maintaining their rich texture and taste.
• Keep bars chilled at 40°F or below to maintain optimal flavor and prevent raspberry topping from becoming too soft or losing its vibrant color.

FAQs

• Is this recipe suitable for beginners?

Absolutely! This recipe is perfect for home bakers with basic kitchen skills. The steps are straightforward, and the techniques are simple to follow. You’ll need just a few basic tools like a baking pan, saucepan, and mixing bowls.

• Can I substitute the dark chocolate with milk or white chocolate?

While you can substitute chocolate, dark chocolate provides the best flavor balance with raspberries. Milk chocolate might make the bars too sweet, and white chocolate could lose the rich depth that dark chocolate offers.

• How do I know when the chocolate filling is set?

The chocolate filling is set when it looks firm and doesn’t wobble when you gently shake the pan. After baking 20-25 minutes, the surface should appear smooth and slightly matte, without any liquid movement.

• What's the best way to create a nice marbled effect with the raspberry topping?

Use a knife or toothpick to gently swirl the raspberry mixture into the chocolate layer. Don’t overmix – just create light, random swirls for a beautiful, natural-looking design that adds visual appeal to your bars.

Decadent Dark Chocolate Raspberry Pie Bars Recipe

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4.6 from 34 reviews

• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: 17 1x

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Description

Indulgent Dark Chocolate Raspberry Pie Bars blend rich cocoa with tangy berries in a luxurious dessert. Chocolate lovers will savor each complex layer of this irresistible sweet treat.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 2 cups (480 ml) all-purpose flour
• 2 cups (280 g) fresh or frozen raspberries
• 1 cup (170 g) dark chocolate chips or chopped dark chocolate
• 1 cup (227 g or 2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
• ½ cup (100 g) granulated sugar
• ⅓ cup (67 g) granulated sugar
• ¼ tsp salt
• 1 tbsp cornstarch
• 1 tsp lemon juice
• 2 tbsps (30 ml) heavy cream

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Instructions

1. Preheat Preparation: Heat oven to 350F (175C) and line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper, creating overhanging edges for effortless removal.
2. Crust Formation: Blend flour, sugar, and salt, then cut in cold butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Press firmly into the pan’s bottom, creating a compact base.
3. Initial Baking: Bake the crust until it transforms to a golden hue, approximately 12-15 minutes. Remove and allow a brief cooling period while maintaining its structural integrity.
4. Chocolate Essence: Gently heat heavy cream in a saucepan until it reaches a soft simmer. Immediately remove from heat and whisk dark chocolate until achieving a silky, glossy texture.
5. Flavor Enhancement: Incorporate sugar and vanilla extract into the molten chocolate mixture, ensuring a uniform, rich consistency. Pour evenly over the partially cooled crust.
6. Raspberry Artistry: Crush fresh raspberries with sugar and lemon juice, preserving some fruit integrity for textural contrast. Distribute the raspberry mixture across the chocolate layer, using a knife to create elegant marbled swirls.
7. Final Baking: Return the pan to the oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, monitoring the chocolate filling’s set and the raspberry layer’s gentle bubbling.
8. Cooling and Setting: Allow bars to cool completely at room temperature, then refrigerate for a minimum of two hours to solidify flavors and achieve optimal texture.
9. Presentation: Carefully lift bars from the pan using parchment paper. Slice into precise squares and garnish with fresh raspberries or a delicate powdered sugar dusting.

Notes

Butter Temperature Control: Keep butter extremely cold when making the crust to ensure flaky, crisp texture and prevent greasy results.

Chocolate Melting Technique: Use low, gentle heat when combining cream and chocolate to prevent burning or separating, creating a smooth, glossy ganache.

Raspberry Distribution Strategy: Add raspberry mixture sparingly and swirl gently to maintain distinct chocolate and fruit layers without over-mixing.

Cooling and Setting Patience: Allow complete cooling at room temperature and thorough chilling to develop rich flavors and achieve clean, firm cutting lines.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 17
• Calories: 289
• Sugar: 15 g
• Sodium: 52 mg
• Fat: 17 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 31 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 40 mg