Get ready to experience a chocolate explosion that will make your taste buds dance with pure delight! These Minnesota Mud Bars are not just a dessert; they're a decadent journey into chocolatey heaven that will have everyone begging for your secret recipe. Imagine rich, fudgy chocolate bars studded with crunchy nuts and melted chocolate chips - a treat so irresistible, you'll want to hide them from your family to keep them all to yourself!
Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: 30 mins
Total Time: 45 mins
Cuisine: American
Serves: 16 bars
Ingredients
- 1 cup butter
- 2 cups sugar
- 4 eggs
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup cocoa powder
- 1 cup chopped nuts
- 1 cup chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9x13 inch baking pan with butter or line it with parchment paper for easy removal.
- In a large mixing bowl, melt the 1 cup of butter. You can do this in the microwave or on the stovetop. Allow it to cool slightly after melting.
- Add the 2 cups of sugar to the melted butter and mix well until the sugar is fully incorporated and the mixture is smooth.
- Crack the 4 eggs into the bowl, one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Make sure the eggs are fully combined with the butter and sugar mixture.
- In a separate bowl, sift together the 2 cups of all-purpose flour and 1 cup of cocoa powder. This helps to aerate the dry ingredients and remove any lumps.
- Gradually add the dry mixture to the wet ingredients, stirring gently until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can make the bars tough.
- Fold in the 1 cup of chopped nuts and 1 cup of chocolate chips, ensuring they are evenly distributed throughout the batter.
- Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan, spreading it evenly with a spatula.
- Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with a few moist crumbs (not wet batter).
- Once baked, remove the pan from the oven and allow the bars to cool in the pan for about 10-15 minutes.
- After cooling slightly, transfer the bars to a wire rack to cool completely before cutting them into 16 squares.
- Serve the Minnesota Mud Bars warm or at room temperature. Enjoy your delicious treat!
Tips
- Use room temperature eggs for smoother batter integration and more consistent texture.
- Sifting the flour and cocoa powder is crucial - it prevents lumps and ensures a silky-smooth mixture.
- Don't overmix the batter; mix just until ingredients are combined to keep the bars tender.
- For extra indulgence, use high-quality cocoa powder and chocolate chips.
- Line your baking pan with parchment paper for easy removal and clean cutting.
- Let the bars cool completely before cutting to get clean, perfect squares.
- Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days, if they last that long!
- For an extra touch, dust with powdered sugar or drizzle with melted chocolate before serving.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 380kcal
Carbohydrates: 45g
Protein: 6g
Fat: 22g
Saturated Fat: 12g
Cholesterol: 95mg
