Fudge Layer Bars
Indulge in the ultimate dessert experience with these decadent Fudge Layer Bars—soft, chewy, and utterly irresistible! Featuring a buttery cookie dough base and a luscious fudge center made with sweetened condensed milk and rich semi-sweet chocolate chips, these bars are a crowd-pleaser for any occasion. A crumbly topping of dough and optional chopped nuts adds the perfect crunch to each bite. With just 20 minutes of prep time and a bake time of 35 minutes, this easy-to-make recipe delivers bakery-quality results right in your kitchen. Perfect for holiday gatherings, potlucks, or as an indulgent treat, these bars are a harmonious blend of textures and flavors. Store them in an airtight container to enjoy throughout the week—if they last that long!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup light brown sugar, packed
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 pieces large eggs
- 2.5 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 0.5 teaspoon salt
- 14 ounces sweetened condensed milk
- 2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter (for fudge layer)
- 0.5 cup chopped nuts (e.g., walnuts, pecans, optional)
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9x13-inch baking pan. You can also line it with parchment paper for easier removal.
In a large mixing bowl, cream together 1 cup of unsalted butter, 1 cup of granulated sugar, and 1 cup of packed light brown sugar until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
Add the vanilla extract and the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition.
In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add this dry mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined.
Press two-thirds of the dough mixture evenly into the prepared baking pan to form the base layer. Reserve the remaining dough for the topping.
In a medium saucepan over low heat, combine the sweetened condensed milk, semi-sweet chocolate chips, and 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter. Stir constantly until the mixture is melted, smooth, and glossy. Remove from heat.
Pour the fudge mixture evenly over the crust in the pan, spreading it to the edges with a spatula.
Crumble the reserved dough over the fudge layer in small pieces, covering it as evenly as possible. If desired, sprinkle the chopped nuts evenly over the top.
Bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and the top is slightly set. Be careful not to overbake, as this can dry out the fudge layer.
Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack. Once cool, cut into squares or bars and serve. Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature or in the refrigerator.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
503 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 24.5 g | 31% | |
| Saturated Fat | 13.8 g | 69% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 69 mg | 23% | |
| Sodium | 182 mg | 8% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 68.4 g | 25% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 2.2 g | 8% | |
| Total Sugars | 50.3 g | ||
| Protein | 6.8 g | 14% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.4 mcg | 2% | |
| Calcium | 90 mg | 7% | |
| Iron | 1.6 mg | 9% | |
| Potassium | 147 mg | 3% | |
*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.
