Picnic Chocolate Squares
These rich chocolate squares feature a moist, fudgy texture with deep cocoa flavor, perfect for sharing at picnics, parties, or as an indulgent treat for chocolate lovers.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Combine water, oleo, and chocolate in a pan; bring to a boil. Remove from heat.
- Add flour and sugar; mix well.
- Add eggs; mix thoroughly.
- Add sour cream, baking soda, and salt; mix until smooth.
- Pour batter into a greased and floured jelly roll pan.
- Bake at 375°F for 20 to 25 minutes.
Tips & Substitutions
For a richer flavor, you can substitute half the water with brewed coffee. If you don't have oleo, softened butter works well as a replacement. When mixing, be careful not to overmix after adding the eggs; this ensures a tender texture. If you prefer a lighter version, replace sour cream with Greek yogurt. These squares are great for picnics, especially when paired with Frosty Ice Cream.
Serving Suggestions
These chocolate squares are delicious on their own but can be elevated with a drizzle of J.B.'S Hot Fudge Sauce on top. Serve them with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for dessert or enjoy them alongside a cup of coffee for an afternoon treat. They also pair well with fresh fruit for a balanced snack.
Storage & Reheating
Store leftover chocolate squares in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. If you need to keep them longer, refrigerate for up to a week. To reheat, wrap individual squares in a paper towel and microwave for 10-15 seconds until just warm, ensuring they don’t dry out.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Picnic Chocolate Squares contains roughly 220 calories, with 4g protein, 45g carbohydrates, and 3g fat. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 619mg per serving (27% of the Daily Value).
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 chocolate?
Yes, you can use semi-sweet or dark chocolate instead of unsweetened chocolate. Just adjust the sugar in the recipe accordingly, as semi-sweet chocolate is sweeter. This will give your squares a different flavor profile, but they will still be delicious.
What if I want to add nuts?
You can definitely add nuts for some extra crunch! Chopped walnuts or pecans work great in this recipe. Just fold in about 1 cup of your chosen nuts after mixing in the sour cream and other ingredients to ensure even distribution without overmixing.
How can I make these squares more festive?
To make the chocolate squares more festive, consider adding a sprinkle of powdered sugar on top before serving or drizzling melted white chocolate over the cooled squares. You can also cut them into fun shapes with cookie cutters for special occasions.
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).