11 Brownies and Dessert Bars That Vanish Before They Even Cool

Some desserts need a fork, a plate and a quiet moment. Dessert bars need none of that. You bake one pan, cut it into squares, and watch them disappear from the counter one sneaky piece at a time. Brownies, crumble bars, cookie bars and gooey s’mores squares are the easiest way to feed a crowd, and they travel like a dream to potlucks and holiday parties. Here are our favorite pans to bake this season, each with a simple recipe and easy steps..

Dessert Bars and Brownies: One Pan, Endless Happy Faces

Look at that stack. Crackly tops, gooey middles, and a whole board of golden bars waiting their turn. This is what a dessert table looks like when you bake smart instead of hard. We start with the king of them all, the classic fudgy brownie, because every list of dessert bars needs a chocolate anchor. Quick question before we begin: are you a crispy edge person or a soft middle person?

You will need: 10 tbsp butter, 1 1/4 cups sugar, 3/4 cup cocoa powder, 1/2 tsp salt, 2 tsp vanilla, 2 cold eggs, 1/2 cup flour, 1 cup chopped dark chocolate.

How to make it: 1. Heat oven to 325°F and line an 8 inch square pan with parchment. 2. Melt butter, then stir in sugar, cocoa and salt while hot. 3. Cool for 5 minutes and beat in vanilla and eggs until glossy. 4. Fold in flour and chopped chocolate. 5. Bake 25 to 30 minutes until a toothpick shows moist crumbs. 6. Cool fully before cutting for clean squares.

Pecan Pie Dessert Bars With a Buttery Crust

All the gooey, caramel flavor of pecan pie, none of the stress of rolling a crust. A press in shortbread base holds a thick layer of brown sugar filling packed with toasted pecans. These bars are easier to serve than pie and they hold up well on a holiday buffet. Tip: line the pan with parchment so you can lift the whole slab out. Pie or bars at your table this year?

You will need: Crust: 2 cups flour, 1/2 cup brown sugar, 3/4 cup cold butter, 1/4 tsp salt. Filling: 3 eggs, 3/4 cup corn syrup, 3/4 cup brown sugar, 4 tbsp melted butter, 1 tsp vanilla, 2 cups chopped pecans.

How to make it: 1. Heat oven to 350°F and line a 9×13 pan. 2. Mix the crust ingredients until crumbly, press into the pan and bake 18 minutes. 3. Whisk eggs, syrup, sugar, butter and vanilla. 4. Stir in pecans and pour over the warm crust. 5. Bake 25 to 30 minutes until set. 6. Cool completely, then chill 1 hour before slicing.

Chocolate Peanut Butter Oat Dessert Bars

Peanut butter and chocolate is a match that never fails, and oats make these dessert bars hearty enough to pass as an afternoon snack. A chewy oat base, a creamy peanut butter middle, and a snappy chocolate top. They keep for days in the fridge and pack well for road trips. Which layer would you eat first: A) chocolate, B) peanut butter, C) oats, D) all at once?

You will need: 2 cups old fashioned oats, 1 cup flour, 3/4 cup brown sugar, 1/2 tsp baking soda, 3/4 cup melted butter, 3/4 cup creamy peanut butter, 1 1/2 cups chocolate chips, pinch of salt.

How to make it: 1. Heat oven to 350°F and line a 9×13 pan. 2. Mix oats, flour, sugar, soda, salt and butter. 3. Press two thirds into the pan and bake 10 minutes. 4. Spread 1/2 cup peanut butter on top and sprinkle with the rest of the oat mix. 5. Bake 15 minutes more. 6. Melt the chocolate chips with the remaining peanut butter, spread over the top and chill until set.

Cheesecake Swirl Brownies That Look Like Marble

These look like art but take only a butter knife and ten seconds of swirling. The tangy cream cheese layer cuts through the rich chocolate, so you can somehow eat two. Every square has a different pattern, which makes them fun to share. They are a great pick for people who cannot choose between cheesecake and brownies. Do you like more swirl or more brownie in your square?

You will need: Brownie batter from the first recipe (or 1 box mix), 8 oz soft cream cheese, 1/4 cup sugar, 1 egg yolk, 1/2 tsp vanilla.

How to make it: 1. Heat oven to 350°F and line an 8 or 9 inch pan. 2. Spread most of the brownie batter in the pan. 3. Beat cream cheese, sugar, yolk and vanilla until smooth. 4. Drop spoonfuls over the batter and add the last of the brownie batter in between. 5. Drag a knife through to make swirls. 6. Bake 30 to 35 minutes, cool, and chill before cutting.

Warm Brownie Sundae Squares With Ice Cream

Some nights call for a warm brownie, a scoop of vanilla ice cream, and a spoon. That is it. That is the plan. Pull a square from the pan while it is still warm, add the ice cream, and drizzle with hot fudge so it melts into all the cracks. Restaurants charge a lot for this. Your kitchen makes it for pennies. Would you add sprinkles, nuts or nothing at all?

You will need: 1 pan of fudgy brownies, vanilla ice cream, 1/2 cup hot fudge sauce, chopped nuts or sprinkles (optional), whipped cream.

How to make it: 1. Bake the brownies and cool for 15 minutes. 2. Cut into large squares. 3. Warm each square for 10 seconds in the microwave if needed. 4. Top with a scoop of ice cream. 5. Pour warm fudge sauce over the top. 6. Finish with whipped cream and nuts and serve right away.

Brown Butter Crispy Rice Treats

The classic no fuss treat gets a grown up upgrade. Browning the butter first gives the marshmallow a nutty, toffee like flavor that makes people ask what your secret is. Use extra marshmallows for the softest, stretchiest dessert bars, and add a pinch of salt. They are ready in fifteen minutes and kids can help press them into the pan. Did these show up at every bake sale when you were young?

You will need: 6 tbsp butter, 10 oz mini marshmallows plus 1 extra cup, 1 tsp vanilla, 1/4 tsp salt, 6 cups crispy rice cereal.

How to make it: 1. Butter a 9×13 pan. 2. Melt butter in a large pot and cook until golden brown and nutty. 3. Add 10 oz marshmallows and stir until melted. 4. Stir in vanilla and salt. 5. Fold in the cereal and the extra marshmallows. 6. Press gently into the pan and let set 30 minutes before cutting.

Salted Caramel Brownies With a Gooey Center

A ribbon of thick caramel baked right into the middle of the brownie is a surprise every time. The edges stay chewy and the center turns soft and gooey. A pinch of flaky salt on top makes the chocolate taste even deeper. These are the brownies people remember and ask about weeks later. Poll time: do you like them A) warm, B) room temperature, or C) cold from the fridge?

You will need: Brownie batter from the first recipe, 1/2 cup thick caramel sauce (or 20 soft caramels melted with 2 tbsp cream), 1/2 tsp flaky sea salt.

How to make it: 1. Heat oven to 325°F and line an 8 inch pan. 2. Spread half the batter in the pan. 3. Drizzle caramel over the batter, leaving the edges clear. 4. Cover with the rest of the batter. 5. Bake 30 to 35 minutes. 6. Sprinkle sea salt on top while warm and cool fully before slicing.

Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookie Dessert Bars

Love chocolate chip cookies but hate scooping dough onto trays? Spread it all in one pan instead. You get thick, chewy dessert bars with golden edges and melty pockets of chocolate. One pan makes two dozen, which is perfect for big gatherings. For more classics, check out our cookie recipes everyone should bake at least once. Milk or coffee on the side?

You will need: 1 cup soft butter, 1 cup brown sugar, 1/2 cup sugar, 2 eggs, 2 tsp vanilla, 2 1/4 cups flour, 1 tsp baking soda, 1 tsp salt, 2 cups chocolate chips.

How to make it: 1. Heat oven to 350°F and line a 9×13 pan. 2. Beat butter and sugars until creamy. 3. Beat in eggs and vanilla. 4. Mix in flour, soda and salt, then the chocolate chips. 5. Spread in the pan and bake 22 to 26 minutes until golden at the edges. 6. Cool before cutting into squares.

Raspberry Crumble Squares With a Jammy Middle

Bright, tart and buttery, these squares bring a pop of color to a table full of chocolate. The same crumbly mixture becomes the base and the topping, so there is only one bowl to wash. Frozen raspberries work great. They taste like a cross between a pie and a cookie, and they are lovely with afternoon tea. Would you swap in blueberries or keep it raspberry?

You will need: 2 1/2 cups flour, 1 cup sugar, 1 tsp baking powder, 1/2 tsp salt, 1 cup cold butter, 1 egg, 3 cups raspberries, 1/3 cup sugar, 2 tbsp cornstarch, 1 tbsp lemon juice.

How to make it: 1. Heat oven to 375°F and grease a 9×13 pan. 2. Mix flour, sugar, baking powder and salt, then cut in butter and egg until crumbly. 3. Press half into the pan. 4. Toss raspberries with sugar, cornstarch and lemon juice and spread over the base. 5. Crumble the rest of the dough on top. 6. Bake 40 to 45 minutes until golden and cool before cutting.

Berry Oatmeal Dessert Bars for Breakfast or After Dinner

Is it breakfast? Is it dessert? With these oatmeal bars, nobody has to decide. Rolled oats, brown sugar and a little cinnamon wrap around a layer of berry jam. They are soft, chewy and not too sweet, and they hold together well enough to pack for a road trip. Make a pan on Sunday and you have grab and go treats all week. Pick one: A) blueberry, B) strawberry, C) mixed berry?

You will need: 1 1/2 cups oats, 1 1/2 cups flour, 3/4 cup brown sugar, 1/2 tsp baking soda, 1/2 tsp cinnamon, 1/4 tsp salt, 3/4 cup melted butter, 1 cup berry jam, 1 cup fresh berries.

How to make it: 1. Heat oven to 350°F and line an 8 or 9 inch pan. 2. Mix oats, flour, sugar, soda, cinnamon, salt and butter. 3. Press two thirds into the pan. 4. Spread jam on top and scatter berries over it. 5. Sprinkle with the remaining oat mixture. 6. Bake 30 to 35 minutes and cool fully before slicing.

Bakery Style Brownies Worth Stacking High

Thick, tall, perfectly square brownies with that shiny crackle top are the gold standard. The secret is beating the eggs and sugar for a few extra minutes, which creates the paper thin crust. Stack them on a plate for a party and watch the tower shrink in minutes. Wrap extras one by one and freeze them for brownie emergencies. How many would you grab from the stack? And which dessert bars are you baking first this weekend? Tell us in the comments.

You will need: 1 cup butter, 2 cups sugar, 4 eggs, 1 tbsp vanilla, 1 cup flour, 3/4 cup cocoa powder, 1/2 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp baking powder, 1 cup chocolate chunks.

How to make it: 1. Heat oven to 350°F and line a 9×13 pan. 2. Melt butter and stir in sugar. 3. Beat in eggs and vanilla for 3 to 4 minutes until pale and shiny. 4. Fold in flour, cocoa, salt and baking powder. 5. Stir in chocolate chunks and spread in the pan. 6. Bake 28 to 32 minutes, cool, then cut into squares.