Quick Bar For The Holiday
Sweet and rich chocolate walnut bars with a creamy cream cheese topping, perfect for holiday gatherings and satisfying chocolate cravings.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Beat margarine and sugar until light and fluffy.
- Blend in eggs and vanilla.
- Combine flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Add dry ingredients to the sugar mixture and mix well.
- Press half of the mixture into the bottom of a 9 x 13-inch baking dish.
- Spread the chocolate pieces over the crust.
- In a saucepan, combine evaporated milk and cream cheese; cook over low heat until smooth and thickened.
- Pour the cream cheese mixture over the chocolate layer.
- Sprinkle chopped walnuts on top.
- Bake at 350°F (175°C) for about 25 minutes or until set.
- Allow to cool before cutting into bars.
Tips & Substitutions
For a richer flavor, consider using butter instead of margarine. If you don't have walnuts, pecans or almonds can be great substitutes. To avoid overmixing, combine the dry ingredients just until incorporated. You can also add a pinch of cinnamon for an extra warm note. This recipe can also be customized with dried fruits or different types of chocolate, making it versatile for various occasions.
Serving Suggestions
These bars are perfect for holiday gatherings and pair beautifully with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or whipped cream on top. You can also serve them alongside coffee or hot cocoa for a delightful treat. For a touch of festivity, dust the bars with powdered sugar before serving or drizzle with melted chocolate.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftover bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for up to a week. To reheat, simply warm them in the oven at 300°F (150°C) for about 5-10 minutes to restore their delicious texture. They can also be enjoyed cold or at room temperature.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Quick Bar For The Holiday contains roughly 270 calories, with 5g protein, 13g carbohydrates, and 19g fat. It is a good source of vitamin A (12% of the Daily Value) and protein (10% of the Daily Value). Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 534mg per serving (23% 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
Is there a way to make this recipe gluten-free?
Certainly! To make these bars gluten-free, simply substitute the all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend. Ensure that your baking powder is also gluten-free. This will allow everyone to enjoy this festive treat without worry.
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).