Chocolate Cake Mix Cranberry Bars
Indulge in the perfect fusion of rich chocolate and tart cranberries with these irresistible Chocolate Cake Mix Cranberry Bars. This quick and easy dessert uses a box of chocolate cake mix as the base, combined with buttery, gooey layers of sweetened condensed milk, dried cranberries, semi-sweet chocolate chips, and optional crunchy nuts for added texture. With just 15 minutes of prep time, these bars are baked to perfection with a crumbly topping that allows bursts of flavor to shine through. Whether you're serving these sweet treats at a holiday gathering or enjoying them as an anytime snack, they're sure to be a crowd-pleaser. Plus, these decadent bars store well, making them a convenient make-ahead option. Perfect for chocolate lovers and cranberry enthusiasts alike, these bars will satisfy your sweet cravings with every bite!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 1 box (approximately 15.25 ounces) chocolate cake mix
- 0.5 cup unsalted butter
- 1 large egg
- 14 ounces sweetened condensed milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup dried cranberries
- 0.5 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 0.5 cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking pan or line it with parchment paper for easy removal.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the chocolate cake mix, melted butter, and egg. Mix until a thick dough forms.
Press approximately two-thirds of the chocolate dough evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking pan to form the base layer. Reserve the remaining dough for topping.
In a medium bowl, stir together the sweetened condensed milk and vanilla extract until well combined.
Evenly sprinkle the dried cranberries, chocolate chips, and nuts (if using) over the base layer in the pan.
Pour the sweetened condensed milk mixture evenly over the cranberries and chocolate chips.
Crumble the reserved chocolate dough over the top. It's okay if the topping doesn’t fully cover; leaving some gaps is fine.
Bake in the preheated oven for 25–30 minutes, or until the top is set and slightly golden around the edges.
Remove the pan from the oven and allow the bars to cool completely before slicing into 12 equal pieces.
Serve and enjoy! Store any leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or refrigerate for up to a week.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
4764 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 196.2 g | 252% | |
| Saturated Fat | 83.0 g | 415% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 3.3 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 478 mg | 160% | |
| Sodium | 2831 mg | 123% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 734.5 g | 267% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 28.1 g | 100% | |
| Total Sugars | 552.5 g | ||
| Protein | 75.7 g | 151% | |
| Vitamin D | 2.1 mcg | 11% | |
| Calcium | 1648 mg | 127% | |
| Iron | 19.0 mg | 106% | |
| Potassium | 2534 mg | 54% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
