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35+ best dessert bar recipes, from fudgy brownies and chewy blondies to lemon bars, cookie bars, and Nanaimo bars. Easy homemade bar recipes with simple ingredients, perfect for bake sales or any sweet craving.
There’s a reason bar desserts are some of the most-made treats in any baker’s rotation — no individual scooping or rolling, easy to slice for a crowd, and endlessly versatile. Whether you’re craving something rich and chocolatey, bright and citrusy, or somewhere in between, this list has it all. From classic fudgy brownies and chewy blondies to tangy lemon bars, Nanaimo bars, and key lime pie bars, these are 35+ of the best dessert bar recipes to add to your baking rotation.
Bar desserts are also some of the most practical treats you can make. I love making dessert bars and I even won the Food Network Magazine Bake Sale Contest and my Trifecta Bars landed on the cover of Food Network Magazine. There are so many popular dessert bar recipes you are going to love!
5 from 48 votes
Chocolate Chip Blondies
The Best Chocolate Chip Blondies Recipe Ever! How to make chewy, soft blondies from scratch. This is the most delicious and easiest chocolate chip blondie recipe.
These snickerdoodle bars have all the soft, chewy, cinnamon-sugar flavor of classic snickerdoodle cookies, baked in one pan for an easier, faster version.
This chewy, fresh lemon brownie with a sweet lemon glaze in made with fresh lemon juice, butter, sugar, eggs, lemon zest, and salt and topped with a tangy lemon sugar glaze.
Brookies (Chocolate Chip Cookie and Brownie Bars) A homemade decadent chocolate brownie and chocolate chip cookie all in one! A brownie and chocolate chip cookie just got married. The best dessert bar!
Creamy luscious cheesecake bars with a buttery graham cracker crust and topped with fresh berries is a crowd-pleasing popular dessert! They feature a creamy, tangy cheesecake filling atop a buttery graham cracker crust, baked to perfection in a bar form. Whether you're looking for a treat for a party, a family dessert, or simply craving cheesecake, these cheesecake bars are a hit.
7-Layer Magic Bars. The famous dessert bars made with a graham cracker crust, sweetened flaked coconut, chocolate chips, butterscotch chips, nuts, all drizzled with sweetened condensed milk. The perfect dessert bar recipe!
Key lime pie bars are made with a buttery graham cracker crust, a sweet creamy lime filling made with sweetened condensed milk and cream, and topped with fresh whipped cream.
Brown Butter Brownies. The most fudgy, chewy chocolate brownies made with brown butter to make them even better! Everyone always asks for this easy homemade brownie recipe.
These classic lemon bars are made with tangy and sweet lemon curd and a buttery shortbread crust. If you love lemon desserts, you will love this lemon bar recipe. How to make the perfect lemon bar!
Best Scotcheroos Recipe. A popular dessert bar made with chocolate, peanut butter, butterscotch, and Rice Krispies. An easy no-bake dessert bar made in minutes!
One Bowl Fudgy Chocolate Brownies How to make the easiest and quickest rich, decadent, fudgy, homemade chocolate brownies. These homemade brownies will knock your socks off!
Caramelitas, also known as carmelitas, are chocolate caramel oatmeal bars with a buttery oat cookie crust, melty chocolate, and rich, gooey homemade caramel sandwiched in the middle. This easy chocolate caramel oat bar recipe uses simple ingredients and comes together in one bowl for the ultimate soft, chewy caramel dessert.
S’mores Bars made with homemade graham cracker cookie dough, melted marshmallow fluff, and milk chocolate. A soft, ooey-gooey dessert that is even better than a campfire s’more.
These moist, sweet banana bars frosted with rich, toffee brown butter frosting are the best banana bar recipe ever! You will love these frosted banana bars with cream cheese frosting.
The top 3 best selling baked goods all in one bar. Decadent chocolate brownies, rich chocolate chip cookies, and soft rice krispy treats make this the ultimate trifecta bar.
These Crunchy Butterfinger Bars are made with graham crackers, sweetened condensed milk, melted butter, Butterfinger candy bars, and topped with milk chocolate. These are the perfect creamy and crunchy peanut butter chocolate Butterfinger bars!
S'more Rice Krispie Treats made with Golden Graham, Rice Krispies, Marshmallows, Butter, and Hershey's Milk Chocolate Bars. The perfect S'more Rice Krispies that can be made in less than 15 minutes!
These classic, rich millionaire bars feature a buttery shortbread crust, a thick layer of smooth caramel, and a rich chocolate ganache. An easy dessert bar recipe that everyone loves!
Cherry Pie Bars with a Cookie Crust have a soft, buttery crust on the bottom, a layer of sweet cherry pie filling, and golden cookie crumbles on top, and a drizzle of icing.
Rich and fudgy Nanaimo bars are the perfect no-bake dessert. A chocolate, graham cracker, almond, and coconut base layer is topped with a creamy custard filling and chocolate ganache. You’ll be hooked on this classic Canadian treat!
These soft, chewy carrot cake bars with cream cheese frosting are perfect for your Spring gathering. These carrot cake blondies taste even better than carrot cake!
Line your pan with parchment paper. Leaving overhang on the sides makes it easy to lift the entire batch out before slicing, which leads to much cleaner cuts than cutting directly in the pan.
Let bars cool completely before cutting. Cutting warm bars — especially brownies, blondies, and cookie bars — can cause them to crumble or stick to the knife. Patience here makes a big difference.
Use a sharp knife, and wipe it clean between cuts. This is especially important for layered or gooey bars like millionaire bars, caramelitas, and cheesecake bars, where a clean blade prevents dragging fillings across the top.
Don’t overbake. Most bar desserts continue to set as they cool, so slightly underbaking (a few moist crumbs on a toothpick rather than a completely clean one) usually gives the best texture.
Chill before cutting for extra-clean slices. For custard-based or no-bake bars like Nanaimo bars, key lime pie bars, or cheesecake bars, chilling thoroughly before slicing makes a noticeable difference in how cleanly they cut.
How to store Dessert Bars:
Most bar desserts store well in an airtight container at room temperature for 3–5 days, though the ideal method depends on the type of bar:
Brownies, blondies, and cookie bars keep best in an airtight container at room temperature. Adding a piece of bread or parchment paper between layers helps keep them soft.
Cheesecake bars, key lime pie bars, and other custard- or dairy-based bars should be stored in the refrigerator, covered, for up to 5 days.
No-bake bars like Rice Krispie treats, Scotcheroos, and Nanaimo bars can be stored at room temperature in an airtight container, though Nanaimo bars benefit from refrigeration to keep the layers firm.
Most bars freeze well. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and foil, or store in a freezer-safe container, for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature or in the refrigerator (for dairy-based bars) before serving.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the difference between a blondie and a brownie? Brownies are chocolate-based, typically made with melted or cocoa-based chocolate as the primary flavor. Blondies use brown sugar and vanilla as their base flavor instead of chocolate, giving them a caramel-like taste, though they often still include mix-ins like chocolate chips.
Can dessert bars be made ahead of time? Yes, most bar desserts are great make-ahead options. Many, like brownies, blondies, and cookie bars, actually taste better the next day once the flavors have had time to set. Custard and cheesecake-style bars also hold up well made a day or two in advance.
How do you keep bars from sticking to the pan? Line the pan with parchment paper, leaving some overhang on the sides. This lets you lift the entire batch out of the pan before slicing, avoiding sticking altogether and making cleanup much easier.
Can dessert bars be frozen? Yes, the majority of bar desserts freeze well. Wrap tightly and store in a freezer-safe container or bag for up to 3 months. It’s often easiest to slice the bars first, then freeze individual pieces so you can thaw only what you need.
What’s the best way to cut bars cleanly? Let the bars cool (or chill, for custard-based bars) completely before cutting. Use a sharp knife and wipe the blade clean between cuts, especially for layered or gooey bars, to keep the layers looking neat. I like to use a plastic knife when cutting bars like brownies.
Which bars travel well for potlucks or bake sales? Firmer bars like brownies, blondies, cookie bars, and 7-layer magic bars travel especially well since they hold their shape at room temperature. Custard-based bars like cheesecake bars or key lime pie bars can be transported too, but should stay chilled until serving.
I am an Award-Winning Recipe Creator. Cover of Food Network Magazine. Two-Time Pillsbury Bake-Off Finalist. I am passionate about sharing the best recipes so you have success in the kitchen!
