Black Forest Bars
Indulge in these irresistible Black Forest Bars—a perfect blend of chocolate, cherries, and creamy goodness. Easy to make and sure to impress!
Ingredients
Main Ingredients:
- 1 box chocolate cake mix – acts as the rich chocolatey base; no need to prepare it as directed on the box.
- 2 large eggs – binds everything together and adds structure.
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter melted – gives the bars a soft, chewy texture and buttery flavor.
- 1 can 21 oz cherry pie filling – sweet and tangy, this is the heart of the Black Forest flavor.
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips – for melty gooey chocolate pockets in every bite.
Optional Add-ins (Customize it!):
- 1/2 tsp almond extract – enhances the cherry flavor with a nutty twist.
- 1/3 cup chopped walnuts or pecans – adds a crunchy texture contrast.
- Sprinkle of shredded coconut – for extra richness and a fun flavor twist.
Topping (Optional but Recommended):
- Whipped cream or whipped topping – a dollop on top makes it feel extra special.
- Maraschino cherries or fresh cherries – for a pretty and classic garnish.
Pro Tip: Use a non-stick spray or parchment paper to line your baking pan for easy removal and cleaner slices. These bars love to cling to the pan if left ungreased!
- Now that you’ve gathered your goodies let’s move on to the fun part—baking them to perfection!
Instructions
What You’ll Need:
- A 9x13-inch baking dish
- Mixing bowl and spoon or spatula
- Oven preheated to 350°F (175°C)
- Non-stick spray or parchment paper
Step-by-Step Instructions:
- Prep Your Pan and Oven
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease your 9x13-inch baking dish or line it with parchment paper for easy removal.
- Mix the Base Layer
- In a large mixing bowl, combine:
- The chocolate cake mix
- Melted butter
- Eggs
- Stir until a thick, sticky dough forms—this will be your rich, fudgy base.
- Press and Layer
- Press about two-thirds of the dough evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan.
- Spoon the cherry pie filling over the base, spreading it out to cover evenly.
- Drop the remaining dough in small spoonfuls over the cherry layer—it doesn’t need to fully cover it. Those cherry peeks will bake up beautifully.
- Add the Chocolate Chips
- Sprinkle semi-sweet chocolate chips across the top. As they melt during baking, they’ll add that gooey, chocolate-laced goodness we all love.
- Bake to Perfection
- Pop it into the oven and bake for 35–40 minutes, or until the top is set and slightly golden. The edges may puff a little and pull away from the pan.
- Cool Before Cutting
- Let the bars cool completely in the pan. This helps them firm up and slice cleanly—plus, the flavors settle in even better as they rest.
Helpful Hint: If you’re short on time, pop the pan into the fridge once it’s mostly cool. Chilled bars slice even cleaner and are perfect for make-ahead desserts.
- Up next—let’s explore some pro tips and fun twists to make these bars uniquely yours!
Notes
Nutrition Information (per serving):
- Calories: 250 kcal
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Cholesterol: 35mg
- Sodium: 180mg
- Carbohydrates: 32g
- Fiber: 2g
- Sugars: 22g
- Protein: 3g