Name: Fudgy Chocolate Cake Bars Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 35 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 cup all-purpose flour; 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder; 1 cup granulated sugar; 1/2 teaspoon baking powder; 1/4 teaspoon salt; 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted; 2 large eggs; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 1/2 cup whole milk; 1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

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Get ready to fall head over heels for Fudgy Chocolate Cake Bars. These dreamy squares are exactly what every chocolate lover craves: rich, decadently moist, and with a gooey-crackly top that says homemade goodness in every bite. Whether you’re looking for a late-night treat, a lunchbox superstar, or a crowd-pleaser for your next party, these cake bars deliver big on chocolate flavor with minimal fuss. This recipe is your new secret weapon for turning simple ingredients into a show-stopping dessert. Happy baking!

Fudgy Chocolate Cake Bars Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

You won’t believe how a handful of pantry staples can come together to make something this irresistible. Every ingredient in these Fudgy Chocolate Cake Bars has a purpose: building flavor, melting in your mouth, and guaranteeing that signature dense-yet-soft texture.

All-purpose flour: Creates structure while keeping the bars soft and tender.
Unsweetened cocoa powder: Gives deep, rich chocolate intensity – use the best you can find!
Granulated sugar: Sweetens the bars and keeps them moist.
Baking powder: Adds just enough lift for cakey softness without sacrificing fudginess.
Salt: Enhances chocolate flavor and balances sweetness.
Unsalted butter (melted): Delivers unbeatable richness and ensures every bar is melt-in-your-mouth tender.
Large eggs: Bind everything together and add essential structure.
Vanilla extract: Complements and boosts the chocolate flavor.
Whole milk: Contributes moisture for that perfect soft crumb.
Semi-sweet chocolate chips: Studs each bite with pockets of extra chocolatey goodness.

How to Make Fudgy Chocolate Cake Bars

Step 1: Prep Your Pan

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grab an 8×8-inch baking pan, lightly grease it, and then line it with parchment paper. This little trick ensures you’ll lift the cake bars out later with zero stress—and no stuck-on crumbs left behind.

Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients

In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, unsweetened cocoa powder, granulated sugar, baking powder, and salt. Make sure everything’s evenly combined, breaking up any cocoa lumps along the way; this step delivers that deep chocolate flavor and uniform texture.

Step 3: Whisk the Wet Ingredients

In a separate bowl, whisk the melted butter with the eggs and vanilla extract until you have a silky mixture. Then stir in the whole milk—this is what brings the batter together for that luscious, fudgy result.

Step 4: Combine and Fold in the Chocolate

Pour the wet mixture over the dry ingredients. Gently mix just until you see no more streaks of flour—overmixing can zap that tender texture! Now, fold in the semi-sweet chocolate chips for extra bursts of melty chocolate in every bite.

Step 5: Bake to Perfection

Spoon the batter into your prepared pan, smoothing the top with a spatula. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with a few moist crumbs (not totally clean—remember, fudgy is our goal!). Let the bars cool completely in the pan so they set up before slicing.

How to Serve Fudgy Chocolate Cake Bars

Garnishes

Enhance your Fudgy Chocolate Cake Bars by dusting them with powdered sugar, drizzling with melted chocolate, or even topping with a swirl of whipped cream. A few fresh berries or a sprinkle of flaky sea salt can take things from homey to utterly sophisticated without any fuss.

Side Dishes

If you’re hosting, serve these cake bars alongside bowls of vanilla ice cream or a platter of fresh fruit for balance. A little espresso or a cold glass of milk pairs beautifully, cutting the richness while letting the bars’ chocolate flavor shine.

Creative Ways to Present

Try stacking the cut bars in a pyramid on a pretty cake stand for an eye-catching centerpiece. Serve them on individual plates with a scoop of ice cream and a drizzle of chocolate sauce for a restaurant-worthy dessert. Or, wrap them up in parchment and twine for the perfect edible gift—trust me, everyone will ask for your Fudgy Chocolate Cake Bars recipe!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you can resist eating them all at once, keep the leftover Fudgy Chocolate Cake Bars in an airtight container at room temperature. They’ll stay soft and lovely for up to three days—perfect for sneaking a sweet treat whenever you want.

Freezing

Want to save some for later? Let the bars cool completely, then wrap each tightly in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer bag or airtight container. They freeze beautifully for up to two months. Just remember to thaw at room temperature before enjoying.

Reheating

For that just-baked gooeyness, microwave a bar for 10-15 seconds until the chocolate chips melt ever so slightly. It’s like serving freshly baked Fudgy Chocolate Cake Bars every single time!

FAQs

Can I use a different type Dessert

Absolutely! Feel free to swap semi-sweet chips for dark, milk, or even white chocolate chips. You can even mix varieties to make each bite a delightful surprise.

Do Fudgy Chocolate Cake Bars work with gluten-free flour?

Yes! Replace the all-purpose flour with your favorite 1-to-1 gluten-free blend. Just be sure to check the texture and perhaps add a splash more milk if the batter is extra thick.

What makes these bars fudgy instead of cakey?

It’s all about the balance between fat, sugar, and flour, plus keeping baking time short. The melted butter and milk help the bars stay moist, and baking just until a few crumbs cling to your tester avoids overbaking.

Can I double the recipe for a crowd?

Go for it! Double all the ingredients and use a 9×13-inch pan. Your bake time may increase by a few minutes, so keep a close eye on the oven and check doneness with a toothpick.

How can I tell when the bars are perfectly done?

Insert a toothpick into the center—if it comes out with a few moist crumbs (but not raw batter), they’re perfect. Overbaking will make them dry, so lean toward the shorter bake time for maximum fudginess.

Final Thoughts

If you’re craving a simple, chocolate-packed treat that never disappoints, you have to try these Fudgy Chocolate Cake Bars. They’re everything you want out of homemade baking: easy, deeply chocolatey, and guaranteed to bring smiles. Once you make them, don’t be surprised if they disappear faster than you expect—enjoy every fudge-filled bite!

Fudgy Chocolate Cake Bars Recipe

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4.7 from 28 reviews

Author: Emma
Total Time: 35 minutes
Yield: 12 bars 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

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Description

Indulge in these decadent Fudgy Chocolate Cake Bars that are rich, moist, and irresistibly chocolatey. Perfect for satisfying your sweet cravings!

Ingredients

Scale

Dry Ingredients:

1 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 cup granulated sugar
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt

Wet Ingredients:

1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup whole milk
1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

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Instructions

Preheat Oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper.
Prepare Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa powder, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
Mix Wet Ingredients: In another bowl, whisk melted butter, eggs, and vanilla until smooth. Stir in the milk.
Combine and Bake: Add wet ingredients to dry ingredients, mix until just combined. Fold in chocolate chips. Pour batter into the pan and bake for 20-25 minutes.
Cool and Serve: Cool completely before cutting into bars.