Ghirardelli Chocolate Delight Bars
Indulge in the rich and luxurious taste of Ghirardelli Chocolate Delight Bars, a reader-requested recipe from The Montreal Gazette. Inspired by the renowned American chocolate company, these bars offer a delightful balance of creamy chocolate chips and crunchy nuts baked into a soft, chewy base. Perfect for a midweek treat or a special occasion, these bars are a fan favorite and a testament to simple, yet exquisite baking.
16
Servings
N/A
Calories
10
Ingredients
Ingredients
butter
1 cup (softened)
brown sugar
1 and 1/2 cups (packed)
vanilla extract
2 teaspoons (none)
eggs
2 (large)
all-purpose flour
1 and 1/2 cups (none)
baking powder
1 and 1/2 teaspoons (none)
salt
1 teaspoon (none)
semi-sweet chocolate chips
2 cups (none)
pecans
1 cup (coarsely chopped, optional)
walnuts
1 cup (coarsely chopped, optional)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 325°F (163°C).
2
In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter, packed brown sugar, and vanilla extract together on medium speed until the mixture is light and fluffy.
3
Add the eggs one at a time to the mixture, mixing on low speed until each egg is fully incorporated.
4
In another bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt.
5
Gradually add the dry flour mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until just combined. Be careful not to overmix.
6
Gently fold in the semi-sweet chocolate chips and nuts, if using, until evenly distributed throughout the batter.
7
Spread the batter evenly into an ungreased 13x9 inch (3.5L) baking pan.
8
Bake for 25 to 30 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted into the center comes out clean.
9
Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack.
10
Once cooled, remove the bars from the pan and cut into squares for serving.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Ghirardelli Chocolate Delight Bars?
These are rich and luxurious dessert bars featuring a soft, chewy base filled with semi-sweet chocolate chips and crunchy nuts.
What is the origin of this recipe?
This recipe was a reader-requested feature from The Montreal Gazette and is inspired by the famous Ghirardelli chocolate company.
How many servings does this recipe yield?
The recipe yields 16 servings.
What temperature should I set my oven to?
Preheat your oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit or 163 degrees Celsius.
What size baking pan is required?
You will need a 13x9 inch baking pan, which is approximately 3.5 liters in volume.
Do I need to grease the baking pan?
No, the instructions specify using an ungreased baking pan.
What ingredients are in the chewy base?
The base consists of butter, brown sugar, vanilla extract, eggs, all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt.
How much butter is needed?
The recipe calls for 1 cup of softened butter.
What kind of sugar should I use?
Use 1 and 1/2 cups of packed brown sugar.
How many eggs are required?
The recipe requires 2 large eggs.
How much vanilla extract is used?
Add 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract for flavor.
What type of flour is best for these bars?
Use 1 and 1/2 cups of all-purpose flour.
Is baking powder or baking soda used?
The recipe uses 1 and 1/2 teaspoons of baking powder.
How much salt is included in the recipe?
The recipe calls for 1 teaspoon of salt.
What type of chocolate chips should I buy?
The recipe recommends using 2 cups of semi-sweet chocolate chips.
Are nuts mandatory in this recipe?
No, the nuts are optional ingredients.
What kinds of nuts can I add?
You can add 1 cup of coarsely chopped pecans or 1 cup of coarsely chopped walnuts, or both if desired.
How should I combine the butter and sugar?
Beat the softened butter and packed brown sugar together on medium speed until the mixture is light and fluffy.
How should the eggs be incorporated?
Add the eggs one at a time, mixing on low speed until each egg is fully incorporated into the batter.
Should I mix the dry ingredients before adding them to the wet?
Yes, whisk the flour, baking powder, and salt together in a separate bowl before adding them to the wet mixture.
What is the secret to a good texture in these bars?
Gradually add the dry ingredients and mix on low speed until just combined, being careful not to overmix.
How do I add the chocolate chips and nuts?
Gently fold the chocolate chips and nuts into the batter until they are evenly distributed.
How long do these bars bake?
Bake the bars for 25 to 30 minutes.
How can I tell when the bars are finished baking?
The bars are done when a wooden pick inserted into the center comes out clean.
How should the bars be cooled?
Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan while resting on a wire rack.
When is it best to cut the bars into squares?
Wait until the bars have cooled completely before removing them from the pan and cutting them into squares.
What kind of consistency does the batter have?
The batter is thick enough to be spread evenly into the baking pan.
Are these bars suitable for special occasions?
Yes, their rich chocolate taste and exquisite texture make them perfect for both midweek treats and special occasions.
What categories do these bars fall under?
They are categorized as chocolate chip cookie bars, American desserts, and sweet treats.
What equipment do I need for this recipe?
You will need an oven, a 13x9 inch baking pan, a large mixing bowl, a secondary mixing bowl, a whisk, a mixer, a wire rack, and a wooden pick for testing.