Decadent Chocolate Raspberry Crumb Bars are so easy to make with layers of rich, luscious chocolate, tart raspberry preserves, a buttery crust and topped with a crunchy, nutty crumble. Perfect for satisfying your sweet cravings or impressing guests, these bars deliver a perfect balance of sweet, tart and irresistible flavors in every bite.
Can’t get enough raspberries? Try our Raspberry Truffles, Raspberry Crumble Cookies and White Chocolate Raspberry Cake!
Raspberry Fudge Crumble Bars
There is just something magical about the combination of rich chocolate and tangy raspberry that makes these Chocolate Raspberry Crumb Bars an absolute delight. It’s one of my all time favorite flavor combos and it works together beautifully in this easy crumb bar recipe.
These bars are not only delicious but also incredibly easy to make. With a few simple ingredients and minimal prep time, you can create a dessert that looks and tastes like it took hours to prepare.
The buttery crust is the perfect vehicle for the smooth, rich chocolate, tart raspberry, and crunchy, nutty, crumble topping. Every bite is filled with textures and flavors that is sure to have everyone asking for seconds.
Recipe Notes: If you don’t like raspberry you can swap it out for blueberry, cherry or blackberry preserves!Â
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
There’s a lot to love about these delicious bars:
- Easy to Make: With straightforward steps and simple, pantry ingredients, this recipe is great for last minute dinner parties or when your sweet tooth strikes.
- Flavor Combo: The combination of rich chocolate, buttery crust, and tangy raspberry preserves creates a dessert that’s both indulgent and satisfying.
- Versatile: These bars are perfect for any occasion, from casual family dinners to elegant parties.
How to Make Chocolate Raspberry Crumble Bars
These bars come together quickly and easily! A golden, buttery brown sugar crust meets layers of luscious chocolate and vibrant raspberry preserves, all topped with a crunchy, nutty crumble – the perfect blend of sweet, tart and irresistible.
Let’s take a quick look at how to make this recipe and as always, you can find the full printable recipe card at the end of this post.
For the Crust
- Cream butter and brown sugar together for 2 to 3 minutes, until light and creamy.
- Mix in flour and salt until combined.
- Set â…” cup of the mixture aside for the crumb topping.
- Evenly press remaining dough into the bottom of a lightly greased 9×13 baking dish.
- Bake for 10 minutes.
- Stir pecans into reserved crust mixture. Set aside. (This will be the crumb topping.)
For the Toppings
- Melt sweetened condensed milk and bittersweet chips in microwave in 30 second intervals, stirring in between.
- Pour over the hot crust and use an offset spatula to spread.
- Sprinkle the crumb topping over the chocolate layer.
- Drop teaspoonfuls of raspberry preserves on top of crumb mixture.
- Sprinkle with semi-sweet chocolate chips.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes or until set.
- Cool completely, cut into bars and enjoy!
If the raspberry preserves seem a little thick, give them a good stir to loosen it up. If they are still too thick, stir in a tablespoon of water before dropping onto the crumb mixture.
Storage Information
These bars aren’t going to last long but in case you have leftovers, this is how to store them:
- Room Temperature. Store cooled, leftover bars in an airtight container at room temp for up to 4 days.
- Refrigerator. For longer storage, transfer to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.
- Freezer. These bars can be frozen. Wrap bars in plastic wrap and then place in a freezer safe, airtight container or bag. That at room temperature before enjoying.
Variations To Try
Here are a few variations you can try or use as inspiration:
- If you’re not a fan of raspberry, use a different flavor – we love cherry, blackberry and strawberry in this recipe.
- Add a little cinnamon or nutmeg into the crumb mixture for a warm, spicy note.
- I used bittersweet (60% Cacoa) chips for a really intense chocolate flavor, but you can use whatever combination of chocolate you’d like.
- Instead of jam or fruit preserves, add dollops of caramel sauce to the tops of your bars.
- Drizzle melted white chocolate on top of the bars for a nice color contrast. I also love white chocolate with raspberries!
Do these bars need to be refrigerated?
No, they do not. These bars are best stored at room temperature in an airtight container.
Do I have to use seedless preserves?
No, in fact, I just use what is readily available since raspberry seeds don’t bother me. If they are bothersome to you, just make sure to look for the seedless variety.
Trish’s Tips
- If you’re having trouble melting the chocolate in the microwave, use a double boiler on the stove.
- Wait until the dessert has completely cooled before cutting it into bars. If it’s too warm the bars won’t hold their shape and things will get messy.
- I used seedless raspberry preserves, but you can use the regular version if you’d like.
- For an extra layer of flavor, you can lightly toast the nuts before mixing them into the crumble reserve.
- If the raspberry preserves seem a little thick, give them a good stir to loosen it up. If they are still too thick, stir in a tablespoon of water before dropping onto the crumb mixture.
More Raspberry Favorites
- Raspberry Coconut Magic Bars
- Raspberry Peach Crumble Recipe
- White Chocolate Raspberry Cheesecake
- Raspberry Vanilla Cake
- Raspberry Cheesecake Donuts
Chocolate Raspberry Crumb Bars
Ingredients
- 16 tablespoons unsalted butter 2 sticks – softened
- ½ cup light brown sugar packed
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup chopped pecans or walnuts (can be toasted)
- 14 ounces sweetened condensed milk 1 can
- 1 cup bittersweet chocolate chips
- ½ to ⅔ cup raspberry preserves seedless optional
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Lightly grease 9×13 baking dish or spray with nonstick cooking spray and line with parchment paper. Set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer, cream butter and brown sugar together for 2 to 3 minutes, until light and creamy,16 tablespoons unsalted butter, ½ cup light brown sugar
- Mix in flour and salt until combined. Dough should be nice and crumbly.2 cups all-purpose flour, ½ teaspoon salt
- Set about â…” cup of the mixture aside for the crumb topping. Evenly press the remainder of the mixture into the bottom of the prepared baking dish. The layer will be relatively thin.
- Bake for 10 minutes or until the crust just begins to have touches of golden brown.
- Stir pecans into reserved crust mixture. Set aside. (This will be the crumb topping.)½ cup chopped pecans
- Combine sweetened condensed milk and bittersweet chips in a microwave safe dish and heat on medium heat, in 30 second intervals in microwave, stirring in between, until chocolate is melted and mixture is smooth.14 ounces sweetened condensed milk, 1 cup bittersweet chocolate chips
- Pour the chocolate mixture over the hot crust and use an offset spatula to spread evenly.
- Sprinkle the crumb topping over the chocolate layer. Drop teaspoonfuls of raspberry preserves on top of crumb mixture. (If preserves are too thick, stir in 1 tablespoon of water.) Sprinkle with semi-sweet chocolate chips.½ to ⅔ cup raspberry preserves, 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- Bake for 25 minutes or until set. Cool completely, cut into bars and enjoy!
Video
Notes
- Room Temperature. Store cooled, leftover bars in an airtight container at room temp for up to 4 days.
- Refrigerator. For longer storage, transfer to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.
- Freezer. These bars can be frozen. Wrap bars in plastic wrap and then place in a freezer safe, airtight container or bag. That at room temperature before enjoying.
Nutrition
Originally published July 12, 2013.
Jaclyn says
The only thing with recipe is for the chocolate chips I’m confused. Do you only melt the bittersweet chocolate with the sweetened condensed milk or both kinds of chocolate chips? When I made these and seen the step where you sprinkle the semi sweet chips on top are those an additional to the cup the recipe calls for or no? I ended up not using the whole pot of condensed sweetened milk and two cups of the choc chips mixture because I thought since the recipe tells you to melt “the chocolate chips” with the condensed milk I put both in there.
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
Hi Jaclyn! I’ve updated the recipe card to make it clearer but the semi-sweet chocolate chips go on at the very end. The bittersweet chocolate is what gets melted with the sweetened condensed milk. Hope that helps.
Terri Lacy says
These were a real hit with my Church Superbowl dinner. I won a prize for one of the best desserts there! So am fixing again for my Quilting ladies next week. Thank you. Yours is different and a larger size than all the others I found online, which is good for large groups.
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
I’m so glad you gave it a try Terri!
Christina says
I’ve been using this recipe every year for Christmas cookie gifts. Always get rave reviews…but I’m curious, anyone try a different flavor jam and,if so, recommendations?
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
We frequently make these bars with other flavored jam and preserves. Cherry, strawberry, blackberry – they’re all delcious!
Melissa OHara says
I think I would prefer these without the fruit at all…just cookie/shortbread base with chocolate and walnuts on top!
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
You can absolutely make them like that Melissa!