Indulge your sweet tooth with these irresistible Fruit Chocolate Dream Bars—an enchanting combination of buttery shortbread crust, velvety chocolate, and vibrant dried fruits. Perfect for holidays, parties, or just a cozy treat at home, these bars are layered with chewy dried cranberries, tangy apricots, nutty pecans, and a hint of tropical coconut for an unforgettable flavor medley. The semi-sweet chocolate ganache, infused with vanilla and sweetened condensed milk, adds a luscious and creamy richness that ties everything together. Easy to make with a simple prep time of just 20 minutes, these dream bars are your ticket to dessert heaven. Whether you're looking for a quick make-ahead treat or a showstopping dessert, Fruit Chocolate Dream Bars will delight with every bite.
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a 9x13-inch baking dish with parchment paper, leaving an overhang for easy removal.
In a medium bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, unsalted butter (softened), granulated sugar, and salt. Mix until the ingredients form a crumbly dough.
Press the dough evenly into the prepared baking dish to form the crust. Use the back of a spoon or your hands to smooth it out.
Bake the crust in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes or until lightly golden. Set aside to cool slightly.
In a small saucepan over low heat, combine the semi-sweet chocolate chips and sweetened condensed milk. Stir continuously until the chocolate is fully melted and the mixture is smooth. Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla extract.
Pour the chocolate mixture evenly over the baked crust, using a spatula to spread it out to the edges.
Sprinkle the dried cranberries, chopped dried apricots, shredded coconut, and chopped pecans evenly over the chocolate layer, gently pressing them down so they adhere.
Bake the assembled bars in the oven for another 12-15 minutes, or until the toppings are lightly toasted.
Remove from the oven and let the pan cool completely on a wire rack. For easier slicing, you can chill the bars in the refrigerator for 1-2 hours.
Lift the bars out of the pan using the parchment paper overhang and place them on a cutting board. Slice into 12 equal pieces and serve.
Calories |
5396 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 298.7 g | 383% | |
| Saturated Fat | 181.7 g | 908% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 1.3 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 321 mg | 107% | |
| Sodium | 1187 mg | 52% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 669.9 g | 244% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 58.5 g | 209% | |
| Total Sugars | 456.9 g | ||
| Protein | 83.8 g | 168% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.8 mcg | 4% | |
| Calcium | 1270 mg | 98% | |
| Iron | 21.6 mg | 120% | |
| Potassium | 3414 mg | 73% | |
*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.