Chocolate Layer Bars | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen

Chocolate Layer Bars

Teresa Ambra

Teresa’s Bake Shop – Christmas Cookie Extravaganza – 2012

I love these spectacular Chocolate Layer Bars. Even while I was cutting them I could smell the wonderful fragrance of almond extract and, of course, chocolate! They have a sugar cookie-type crust, a chocolate filling made with cream cheese, diced walnuts, and almond extract. Then the topping is made from the same ingredients as the crust only crumbled on top like streusel.

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We love these amazing bar-type cookies. I found the recipe in a magazine years ago and have made several modifications to it to get it exactly the way we like them. Unfortunately, when I typed the recipe into my cookbook back in the early 1980s I failed to note where the recipe originated from.

We have made this recipe several times for our Christmas Cookie Extravaganza. I’ve also made it lots of times whenever I wanted a delicious dessert to take along to a potluck or for company coming over for dinner.

This is a fabulous bar cookie that you and your family will adore! And everyone to whom you serve this delicious bar will want seconds, and thirds, and fourths…..yeah, it’s amazing. It’s a great cookie for holiday entertaining or gift-giving too.

When I initially posted this recipe in November 2012, I was still using an iPhone 3 for a camera and I had not quite developed the concept in photography that sometimes less is more! I had too many Christmas decorations displaying the bars and because the brownies were not on white plates they didn’t show up as well as they could have.

I’ve been systematically remaking all my first year recipes so I can retake the pictures that allow you to see these delicious recipes in a better light! (pun intended). I recently remade these Chocolate Layer Bars (September 2015) for some friends who had just had their fourth child.

Along with Ravioli Lasagna, Creamy Ambrosia Salad, and Asiago Sun-Dried Tomato Bread, these bars topped off a great meal that they really enjoyed. When their ten-year-old daughter flagged me down and told me how much she enjoyed the meal I brought them, it not only made my day, but you know it has to be good. 🙂

Chocolate Layer Bars | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | these #brownies are one of the most spectacular #desserts you'll ever eat. Made with #chocolatechips #creamcheese #almondextract and #walnuts. We love these and make them almost every year at #Christmas!

Chocolate Layer Bars are amazing cookies that need to be on your regular Christmas cookie baking list!

Chocolate Layer Bars | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | these #brownies are one of the most spectacular #desserts you'll ever eat. Made with #chocolatechips #creamcheese #almondextract and #walnuts. We love these and make them almost every year at #Christmas!

We love these decadent Chocolate Layer Bars. They taste amazing!

Chocolate Layer Bars | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | these #brownies are one of the most spectacular #desserts you'll ever eat. Made with #chocolatechips #creamcheese #almondextract and #walnuts. We love these and make them almost every year at #Christmas!

Almond flavoring and chocolate go so well together.

Here’s what I did.

Chocolate Layer Bars | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | these #brownies are one of the most spectacular #desserts you'll ever eat. Made with #chocolatechips #creamcheese #almondextract and #walnuts. We love these and make them almost every year at #Christmas!

I used these ingredients.

Chocolate Layer Bars | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | these #brownies are one of the most spectacular #desserts you'll ever eat. Made with #chocolatechips #creamcheese #almondextract and #walnuts. We love these and make them almost every year at #Christmas!

Start with the chocolate layer first. Put the cream cheese (cut in cubes), chocolate chips, and evaporated milk in a saucepan over medium to low heat. Add sugar and stir into the sauce pot with other ingredients. Break up the cream cheese into cubes so it melts easier. After the sauce is smooth, remove from heat.

Chocolate Layer Bars | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | these #brownies are one of the most spectacular #desserts you'll ever eat. Made with #chocolatechips #creamcheese #almondextract and #walnuts. We love these and make them almost every year at #Christmas!

Add chopped walnuts and almond extract. Set aside and allow to cool.

Chocolate Layer Bars | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | these #brownies are one of the most spectacular #desserts you'll ever eat. Made with #chocolatechips #creamcheese #almondextract and #walnuts. We love these and make them almost every year at #Christmas!

Meanwhile, soften butter in mixing bowl. Add butter, eggs, salt, baking powder, and almond extract. 

Chocolate Layer Bars | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | these #brownies are one of the most spectacular #desserts you'll ever eat. Made with #chocolatechips #creamcheese #almondextract and #walnuts. We love these and make them almost every year at #Christmas!

Beat all ingredients with an electric mixer.

Chocolate Layer Bars | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | these #brownies are one of the most spectacular #desserts you'll ever eat. Made with #chocolatechips #creamcheese #almondextract and #walnuts. We love these and make them almost every year at #Christmas!

Add UNBLEACHED all-purpose flour. (Bleached flour toughens cookies, cakes and other baked goods). Stir the flour into other ingredients with a wooden spoon.

Chocolate Layer Bars | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | these #brownies are one of the most spectacular #desserts you'll ever eat. Made with #chocolatechips #creamcheese #almondextract and #walnuts. We love these and make them almost every year at #Christmas!

Spray 9×13″ baking dish with cooking spray. Place half  of the dough into the bottom of the pan. Pat the crust into the pan.

Chocolate Layer Bars | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | these #brownies are one of the most spectacular #desserts you'll ever eat. Made with #chocolatechips #creamcheese #almondextract and #walnuts. We love these and make them almost every year at #Christmas!

Spread the chocolate filling so that it completely covers the crust. Sprinkle the remaining dough on top of the chocolate filling. There’s quite a bit so it will cover the chocolate mixture pretty well.

Chocolate Layer Bars | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | these #brownies are one of the most spectacular #desserts you'll ever eat. Made with #chocolatechips #creamcheese #almondextract and #walnuts. We love these and make them almost every year at #Christmas!

Bake at 375 for 35-40 minutes.

Chocolate Layer Bars | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | these #brownies are one of the most spectacular #desserts you'll ever eat. Made with #chocolatechips #creamcheese #almondextract and #walnuts. We love these and make them almost every year at #Christmas!

Here’s a look at these marvelous jewels. Chocolate Layer Bars are great for holiday entertaining. If you bring a stack of these bar-type cookies into your office they will be gone in an instant!

Here’s the recipe.

CHOCOLATE LAYER BARS

(Recipe inspired from Hershey’s)

Chocolate Layer Bars | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen

Chocolate Layer Bars

Teresa Ambra
Chocolate Layer Bars absolutely rock! This luscious chocolate dessert has an almond-flavored shortbread type crust and topping and a chocolate cream cheese layer with walnuts and almond flavoring. Great dessert for entertaining, tailgating parties, potlucks and grilling out with friends.
No ratings yet
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 10 minutes
Course Cookies, Brownies and Bars, Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 24
Calories 314 kcal

Equipment

  • 1 9x13" glass baking dish
  • 1 medium sized sauce pan
  • 1 large mixing bowl
  • 2 wooden spoons
  • measuring cups
  • measuring spoons
  • 1 electric mixer
  • 1 spatula
  • 1 nut chopper if nuts are not previously chopped

Ingredients
  

  • 12 oz. pkg. Hershey's chocolate chips
  • 8 oz. pkg. cream cheese cut in cubes
  • 5.3 oz. can evaporated milk
  • 1 cup walnuts chopped (measure after chopping)
  • 1 tsp. almond extract
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 3 cups UNBLEACHED all-purpose flour bleached flour toughens baked goods
  • 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
  • 1/2 tsp. salt
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 tsp. almond extract
  • 1 tsp. baking powder
  • 1 cup unsalted butter softened

Instructions
 

  • Combine chocolate chips, cream cheese, evaporated milk and ½ cup granulated sugar in medium saucepan.
  • Cook over low heat, stirring constantly until chips are melted and mixture is smooth.
  • Remove from heat; stir in walnuts and 1 tsp. almond extract.
  • Blend well; set aside.
  • Soften butter and place in large mixing bowl.
  • Add 1 ½ cups granulated sugar, salt, eggs, remaining 1 tsp. almond extract, baking powder and mix with electric mixer until creamy.
  • Stir in flour with wooden spoon until soft crumbs form.
  • Press half of flour mixture into greased 9x13” pan; spread with chocolate mixture.
  • Sprinkle rest of crumb mixture over filling.
  • Bake at 350° for 35-40 minutes or until golden brown. (This may take 45 minutes to set the bar fully).
  • Cool; cut into bars.

Notes

Recipe inspired from Hershey's.
 
© Can’t Stay Out of the Kitchen

Nutrition

Calories: 314kcalCarbohydrates: 40gProtein: 5gFat: 16gSaturated Fat: 8gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0.3gCholesterol: 37mgSodium: 143mgPotassium: 135mgFiber: 1gSugar: 26gVitamin A: 290IUVitamin C: 0.1mgCalcium: 85mgIron: 1mg
Keyword brownie, chocolate, chocolate chips, chocolate dessert, cookie, cream cheese, dessert, walnuts
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

 

[b]Chocolate Layer Bars[/b]
Recipe Type: Cookies, Brownies and Bars
Cuisine: American
Author: Teresa Ambra 
Prep time:
Cook time:
Total time:
Serves: 24
This luscious chocolate dessert has an almond-flavored shortbread type crust and topping and a chocolate cream cheese layer with walnuts and almond flavoring. Great dessert for entertaining.
Ingredients
  • 12-oz. pkg. Hershey’s chocolate chips
  • 8-oz. pkg. cream cheese, cut in cubes
  • 5.3-oz. can evaporated milk
  • 1 cup chopped walnuts
  • 1 tsp. almond extract
  • ½ cup sugar
  • 3 cups Gold Medal UNBLEACHED all-purpose flour (bleached flour toughens baked goods)
  • 1 ½ cups sugar
  • ½ tsp. salt
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 tsp. almond extract
  • 1 tsp. baking powder
  • 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
Instructions
  1. Combine chocolate chips, cream cheese and evaporated milk and ½ cup sugar in medium saucepan.
  2. Cook over low heat, stirring constantly until chips are melted and mixture is smooth.
  3. Remove from heat; stir in walnuts and 1tsp. almond extract.
  4. Blend well; set aside.
  5. Soften butter and place in large mixing bowl.
  6. Add1 ½ cups sugar, salt, eggs, remaining 1 tsp. almond extract, baking powder and mix with electric mixer until creamy.
  7. Stir in flour with wooden spoon until soft crumbs form.
  8. Press half of flour mixture into greased 9×13” pan; spread with chocolate mixture.
  9. Sprinkle rest of crumb mixture over filling.
  10. Bake at 350° for 35-40 minutes or until golden brown. (This may take 45 minutes to set the bar fully).
  11. Cool; cut into bars.
Chocolate Layer Bars | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | these #brownies are one of the most spectacular #desserts you'll ever eat. Made with #chocolatechips #creamcheese #almondextract and #walnuts. We love these and make them almost every year at #Christmas!

Time to sit down with a glass of milk and enjoy a couple of Chocolate Layer Bars.

Chocolate Layer Bars | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | these #brownies are one of the most spectacular #desserts you'll ever eat. Made with #chocolatechips #creamcheese #almondextract and #walnuts. We love these and make them almost every year at #Christmas!

There’s lots of rich chocolatey and almond flavors in every bite.

You may also enjoy these delicious recipes!

Luscious No-Bake Chocolate Bars

Luscious No Bake Chocolate Bars - Nanaimo Bars | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | this #dessert is sinfully rich & so decadent. Every bite will have you drooling. It's the perfect #brownie to wow your family & friends. #FathersDay #FathersDayDessert #Chocolate #cookie #ChocolateDessert #NanaimoBars #Canada #coconut #NoBakeDessert #LusciousNoBakeChocolateBars #holiday #HolidayDessert

Chocolate Chip Toffee Bars

Chocolate Chip Toffee Bars | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | rich and decadent #brownies are loaded with #chocolatechips #pecans #HeathEnglishToffeeBits and use a can of #condensedmilk. #chocolate #dessert

Chocolate Pecan Pie Bars

Chocolate Pecan Pie Bars | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | these favorite #brownies taste like #pecanpie with #chocolate. They are absolutely divine! Perfect for #holiday parties, potlucks and backyard BBQs. #dessert
Chocolate Layer Bars | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen

Chocolate Layer Bars

Teresa Ambra
Chocolate Layer Bars absolutely rock! This luscious chocolate dessert has an almond-flavored shortbread type crust and topping and a chocolate cream cheese layer with walnuts and almond flavoring. Great dessert for entertaining, tailgating parties, potlucks and grilling out with friends.
No ratings yet
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 10 minutes
Course Cookies, Brownies and Bars, Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 24
Calories 314 kcal

Equipment

  • 1 9×13" glass baking dish
  • 1 medium sized sauce pan
  • 1 large mixing bowl
  • 2 wooden spoons
  • measuring cups
  • measuring spoons
  • 1 electric mixer
  • 1 spatula
  • 1 nut chopper if nuts are not previously chopped

Ingredients
  

  • 12 oz. pkg. Hershey’s chocolate chips
  • 8 oz. pkg. cream cheese cut in cubes
  • 5.3 oz. can evaporated milk
  • 1 cup walnuts chopped (measure after chopping)
  • 1 tsp. almond extract
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 3 cups UNBLEACHED all-purpose flour bleached flour toughens baked goods
  • 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
  • 1/2 tsp. salt
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 tsp. almond extract
  • 1 tsp. baking powder
  • 1 cup unsalted butter softened

Instructions
 

  • Combine chocolate chips, cream cheese, evaporated milk and ½ cup granulated sugar in medium saucepan.
  • Cook over low heat, stirring constantly until chips are melted and mixture is smooth.
  • Remove from heat; stir in walnuts and 1 tsp. almond extract.
  • Blend well; set aside.
  • Soften butter and place in large mixing bowl.
  • Add 1 ½ cups granulated sugar, salt, eggs, remaining 1 tsp. almond extract, baking powder and mix with electric mixer until creamy.
  • Stir in flour with wooden spoon until soft crumbs form.
  • Press half of flour mixture into greased 9×13” pan; spread with chocolate mixture.
  • Sprinkle rest of crumb mixture over filling.
  • Bake at 350° for 35-40 minutes or until golden brown. (This may take 45 minutes to set the bar fully).
  • Cool; cut into bars.

Notes

Recipe inspired from Hershey’s.
 
© Can’t Stay Out of the Kitchen

Nutrition

Calories: 314kcalCarbohydrates: 40gProtein: 5gFat: 16gSaturated Fat: 8gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0.3gCholesterol: 37mgSodium: 143mgPotassium: 135mgFiber: 1gSugar: 26gVitamin A: 290IUVitamin C: 0.1mgCalcium: 85mgIron: 1mg
Keyword brownie, chocolate, chocolate chips, chocolate dessert, cookie, cream cheese, dessert, walnuts
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

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