Description
Layered fruit cake bars blend nostalgic family recipes with modern baking techniques. Rich chocolate, nuts, and dried fruits create a delectable dessert that connects generations through sweet memories.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup (175g) semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1 cup (150g) mixed dried fruits (chopped candied cherries, raisins, apricots, etc.)
- 1 cup (120g) chopped nuts (pecans, walnuts, or almonds)
- 1 cup (120g) shredded coconut
- 1 ½ cups (150g) graham cracker crumbs
- ½ cup (115g) unsalted butter, melted
- ½ cup (125 mL) sweetened condensed milk
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preparation: Activate oven to 350F (175C) and line a 9×13-inch baking dish with parchment paper or apply light grease.
- Crust Formation: Merge melted butter with graham cracker crumbs, pressing the mixture firmly and evenly across the baking dish bottom to create a solid foundation.
- Layer Construction: Systematically arrange layers by sprinkling shredded coconut, followed by an even distribution of dried fruits, mixed nuts, and chocolate chips across the entire surface.
- Binding Process: Cascade sweetened condensed milk over the layered ingredients, ensuring complete coverage and penetration between components.
- Baking Technique: Position the assembled dish in the preheated oven, monitoring for 25-30 minutes until the top transforms into a rich golden-brown color and layers appear fully set.
- Cooling and Serving: Allow the baked creation to cool completely within the pan, enabling layers to solidify and facilitating precise, clean cutting into uniform square or rectangular portions.
Notes
- Prevent Sticking Smartly: Use parchment paper overhang for easy removal and clean slicing of bars without breaking layers.
- Distribute Ingredients Evenly: Gently spread coconut, fruits, and nuts uniformly to ensure consistent texture and flavor in every bite.
- Monitor Baking Carefully: Watch closely during last 5 minutes to achieve perfect golden-brown color without burning delicate ingredients.
- Cool Completely Before Cutting: Allow bars to set at room temperature for at least 1 hour to help layers bind and make cutting cleaner and more precise.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 17
- Calories: 300
- Sugar: 20g
- Sodium: 50mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 30mg