Del Bars
Del Bars are rich layered treats combining a crunchy graham cracker and coconut base with a creamy cheese topping, topped with chocolate and butter for a decadent snack.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Mix the graham cracker crumbs and coconut; set aside.
- Mix the eggs, 2 sticks of butter, sugar, cocoa, and vanilla together and cook over medium heat for 5 minutes.
- Add the cooked mixture to the crumb and coconut mixture and combine.
- Butter a large 10 x 15-inch cookie sheet and pat the crumb mixture into the pan.
- Mix the cream cheese and powdered sugar; beat well until smooth.
- Spread the cream cheese mixture over the crumb base.
- Spread melted butter and chocolate chips on top of the entire mixture.
- Chill until the mixture is hard, about 2-3 hours.
- Remove from refrigerator about 30 minutes before serving and cut into bars.
Tips & Substitutions
For a richer flavor, consider using dark cocoa instead of regular cocoa powder. If you want to reduce the sweetness, you can decrease the powdered sugar in the cream cheese layer. You can also substitute half of the butter with coconut oil for a tropical twist that complements the coconut in the bars. This recipe is versatile, so feel free to experiment with different nuts or dried fruits.
Serving Suggestions
These Del Bars are perfect for any gathering and pair beautifully with a cup of coffee or a glass of cold milk. They make a great dessert for potlucks or picnics. Consider serving them alongside a slice of Cream Cheese Tang Pie for a delightful dessert spread. You can also garnish the bars with shredded coconut or chocolate drizzle for an extra touch.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftover Del Bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week. For longer storage, you can freeze the bars, wrapped tightly in plastic wrap, for up to three months. When ready to enjoy, simply thaw them in the refrigerator overnight before serving for the best texture.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Del Bars contains roughly 297 calories, with 3g protein, 26g carbohydrates, and 16g fat.
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a different type of nut or fruit in the recipe?
Absolutely! Feel free to add chopped nuts like walnuts or pecans, or even dried fruits such as raisins or cranberries to the crumb mixture for added texture and flavor. Just keep in mind that this may alter the sweetness slightly, so adjust accordingly.
What can I substitute for eggs if I'm allergic?
If you need an egg substitute, you can use 1/4 cup of unsweetened applesauce or a flaxseed meal mixture (1 tablespoon of flaxseed meal combined with 2.5 tablespoons of water) for each egg in the recipe. This will help bind the ingredients while keeping the bars moist.
How can I make these bars gluten-free?
To make Del Bars gluten-free, simply use gluten-free graham cracker crumbs or crushed gluten-free cookies as a base. Make sure to check the labels on all other ingredients, such as the cocoa powder and any toppings, to ensure they are also gluten-free.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).