Decadent Chocolate Revel Bars: A Step-by-Step Guide to Baking Bliss

Chocolate revel bars are a classic treat, loved for their fudgy oatmeal base and rich, swirled chocolate filling. They’re surprisingly easy to make and always a crowd-pleaser. This recipe provides a detailed, step-by-step guide to creating perfect chocolate revel bars every time. Get ready to indulge in a truly decadent dessert!

## What are Chocolate Revel Bars?

Revel bars are a type of dessert bar characterized by a contrasting combination of textures and flavors. Typically, they feature a buttery, chewy oatmeal crust and a rich, chocolatey filling that’s swirled throughout the base. The swirling effect creates a beautiful marbled appearance and ensures that every bite is a delightful mix of oatmeal and chocolate goodness. The name “revel bar” likely comes from the “revelation” of chocolate within the oatmeal crust as you bite into it.

## Why You’ll Love This Recipe

* **Easy to Make:** Despite their impressive appearance, chocolate revel bars are surprisingly simple to bake. This recipe breaks down each step into manageable instructions, perfect for beginner bakers.
* **Make-Ahead Friendly:** You can prepare the batter and filling ahead of time and assemble the bars just before baking. This makes them a great option for parties or potlucks.
* **Customizable:** Feel free to experiment with different types of chocolate, nuts, or extracts to create your own unique version of these bars.
* **Crowd-Pleasing:** Everyone loves chocolate revel bars! They’re a guaranteed hit at any gathering.
* **Delicious Texture:** The combination of the chewy oatmeal base and the fudgy chocolate swirl creates a wonderful textural contrast that’s incredibly satisfying.

## Ingredients You’ll Need

**For the Oatmeal Crust:**

* 1 cup (2 sticks or 226g) unsalted butter, softened
* 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
* 1 cup (200g) packed light brown sugar
* 2 large eggs
* 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
* 1 ½ cups (192g) all-purpose flour
* 1 teaspoon baking soda
* ½ teaspoon salt
* 3 cups (270g) rolled oats (not instant)

**For the Chocolate Filling:**

* 1 (12-ounce or 340g) package semi-sweet chocolate chips
* 1 (14-ounce or 397g) can sweetened condensed milk
* 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
* 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

## Equipment You’ll Need

* 9×13 inch baking pan
* Parchment paper
* Mixing bowls (large and medium)
* Electric mixer (handheld or stand mixer)
* Rubber spatula
* Measuring cups and spoons
* Saucepan

## Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these detailed instructions to create perfect chocolate revel bars:

### Step 1: Prepare the Oatmeal Crust

1. **Preheat the Oven:** Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×13 inch baking pan. Alternatively, line the pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the sides for easy removal (this is highly recommended). The parchment paper makes lifting the bars out of the pan a breeze and simplifies cleanup.
2. **Cream Butter and Sugars:** In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy. This step is crucial for creating a tender crust. Using an electric mixer makes this process much easier and faster. Creaming the butter and sugars incorporates air into the mixture, resulting in a lighter and more delicate texture.
3. **Add Eggs and Vanilla:** Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla extract. Make sure each egg is fully incorporated before adding the next. The vanilla extract enhances the overall flavor of the bars and adds a touch of warmth.
4. **Combine Dry Ingredients:** In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Whisking ensures that the dry ingredients are evenly distributed, preventing pockets of baking soda or salt in the final product. This step contributes to the uniform texture and flavor of the crust.
5. **Gradually Add Dry Ingredients to Wet Ingredients:** Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Be careful not to overmix the batter. Overmixing can develop the gluten in the flour, resulting in a tough crust. Mix until the dry ingredients are just incorporated, leaving no streaks of flour visible.
6. **Stir in Oats:** Stir in the rolled oats until evenly distributed throughout the batter. Make sure to use rolled oats (also known as old-fashioned oats), not instant oats. Rolled oats provide the necessary texture and chewiness to the crust. Instant oats will become too mushy and won’t provide the desired result.
7. **Divide the Dough:** Divide the oatmeal mixture in half. Set one half aside. This will be used for the topping layer.
8. **Press Half of the Dough into the Pan:** Press half of the oatmeal mixture evenly into the prepared baking pan. Use your fingers or the back of a spoon to create a smooth, even layer. This forms the base of the revel bars and provides a sturdy foundation for the chocolate filling.

### Step 2: Prepare the Chocolate Filling

1. **Melt Chocolate Chips, Condensed Milk, and Butter:** In a medium saucepan, combine the semi-sweet chocolate chips, sweetened condensed milk, and butter. Heat over low heat, stirring constantly, until the chocolate is completely melted and the mixture is smooth and glossy. Be patient and stir frequently to prevent the chocolate from scorching. Low heat is essential for ensuring that the chocolate melts evenly and without burning.
2. **Stir in Vanilla:** Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla extract. The vanilla extract enhances the flavor of the chocolate filling and adds a touch of warmth.

### Step 3: Assemble and Bake the Revel Bars

1. **Pour Chocolate Filling over Crust:** Pour the melted chocolate filling evenly over the oatmeal crust in the baking pan. Spread the filling to the edges of the pan to ensure that the entire crust is covered in chocolate.
2. **Drop Remaining Oatmeal Mixture over Filling:** Drop spoonfuls of the remaining oatmeal mixture evenly over the chocolate filling. Don’t worry about completely covering the chocolate; the goal is to create a marbled effect.
3. **Swirl the Filling and Oatmeal:** Use a knife or skewer to gently swirl the oatmeal mixture into the chocolate filling. Create a marbled pattern by dragging the knife through the mixture in a back-and-forth motion. Be careful not to overmix, as this can muddy the colors and prevent the desired marbled effect.
4. **Bake:** Bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and the center is set. The baking time may vary depending on your oven, so it’s important to check the bars periodically. The bars are done when the edges are golden brown and the center is no longer jiggly.
5. **Cool Completely:** Remove from the oven and let the bars cool completely in the pan before cutting. Cooling allows the chocolate filling to set and makes the bars easier to cut cleanly. Resist the temptation to cut into them while they’re still warm, as the filling will be too soft and the bars will fall apart.
6. **Cut into Bars:** Once the bars are completely cool, cut them into squares or rectangles. Use a sharp knife and wipe it clean between each cut for the neatest results.

## Tips for Perfect Revel Bars

* **Use Room Temperature Butter:** Softened butter is crucial for creating a creamy and smooth crust. Make sure the butter is at room temperature, but not melted.
* **Don’t Overmix the Dough:** Overmixing the dough can result in a tough crust. Mix the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients until just combined.
* **Use Good Quality Chocolate:** The quality of the chocolate chips will directly impact the flavor of the filling. Use a good quality semi-sweet chocolate for the best results.
* **Line the Pan with Parchment Paper:** Lining the pan with parchment paper makes it easy to lift the bars out of the pan and simplifies cleanup.
* **Let the Bars Cool Completely:** Cooling the bars completely before cutting is essential for preventing the filling from running and ensuring clean cuts.
* **Vary the Chocolate:** You can use milk chocolate, dark chocolate, or even white chocolate chips for the filling. Experiment with different combinations to find your favorite.
* **Add Nuts:** Chopped nuts, such as walnuts, pecans, or almonds, can be added to the crust or the filling for extra flavor and texture.
* **Add Extracts:** A few drops of almond extract, peppermint extract, or coffee extract can enhance the flavor of the bars.
* **Make it Vegan:** Substitute vegan butter, chocolate chips, and sweetened condensed milk for a vegan version of this recipe.

## Variations and Add-Ins

* **Nutty Revel Bars:** Add 1 cup of chopped walnuts or pecans to the oatmeal mixture for a nutty twist.
* **Peanut Butter Revel Bars:** Swirl in 1/2 cup of peanut butter into the chocolate filling for a peanut butter and chocolate combination.
* **Mint Chocolate Revel Bars:** Add 1/2 teaspoon of peppermint extract to the chocolate filling for a refreshing minty flavor.
* **Espresso Revel Bars:** Add 1 teaspoon of instant espresso powder to the chocolate filling to enhance the chocolate flavor and add a hint of coffee.
* **White Chocolate Revel Bars:** Use white chocolate chips instead of semi-sweet chocolate chips for a white chocolate version.

## Serving Suggestions

* Serve chocolate revel bars as a dessert for any occasion.
* Pair them with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.
* Enjoy them with a cup of coffee or tea.
* Pack them in lunchboxes for a sweet treat.
* Gift them to friends and family.

## Storage Instructions

* **Store:** Store leftover chocolate revel bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.
* **Freeze:** For longer storage, you can freeze the bars in an airtight container for up to 2 months. Thaw them in the refrigerator before serving.

## Troubleshooting

* **Bars are too dry:** Make sure you’re using enough butter and sugar in the crust. Also, avoid overbaking the bars.
* **Bars are too greasy:** Ensure the butter is softened but not melted. Also, drain any excess grease from the chocolate filling after melting.
* **Chocolate filling is too thick:** Add a tablespoon of milk or cream to the chocolate filling to thin it out.
* **Bars are difficult to cut:** Make sure the bars are completely cool before cutting. Use a sharp knife and wipe it clean between each cut.

## Nutrition Information (Approximate)

* Calories: 250-300 per bar
* Fat: 15-20g
* Saturated Fat: 10-12g
* Cholesterol: 30-40mg
* Sodium: 100-150mg
* Carbohydrates: 30-35g
* Sugar: 20-25g
* Protein: 3-4g

(Note: Nutrition information is approximate and may vary depending on the specific ingredients used.)

## Chocolate Revel Bars Recipe Card

**Yields:** 24 bars
**Prep time:** 20 minutes
**Cook time:** 30-35 minutes

**Ingredients:**

**Oatmeal Crust:**

* 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
* 1 cup granulated sugar
* 1 cup packed light brown sugar
* 2 large eggs
* 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
* 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
* 1 teaspoon baking soda
* ½ teaspoon salt
* 3 cups rolled oats (not instant)

**Chocolate Filling:**

* 1 (12-ounce) package semi-sweet chocolate chips
* 1 (14-ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
* 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
* 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

**Instructions:**

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×13 inch baking pan or line with parchment paper.
2. In a large bowl, cream together butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
3. Beat in eggs one at a time, then stir in vanilla extract.
4. In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt.
5. Gradually add dry ingredients to wet ingredients, mixing until just combined.
6. Stir in rolled oats until evenly distributed.
7. Divide the oatmeal mixture in half. Set one half aside.
8. Press half of the oatmeal mixture evenly into the prepared baking pan.
9. In a medium saucepan, combine chocolate chips, sweetened condensed milk, and butter. Heat over low heat, stirring constantly, until melted and smooth.
10. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla extract.
11. Pour chocolate filling over the oatmeal crust.
12. Drop spoonfuls of the remaining oatmeal mixture evenly over the chocolate filling.
13. Use a knife or skewer to gently swirl the oatmeal mixture into the chocolate filling.
14. Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until edges are golden brown and the center is set.
15. Cool completely in the pan before cutting into bars.

Enjoy your delicious Chocolate Revel Bars!

This comprehensive guide provides everything you need to bake perfect chocolate revel bars. With clear instructions, helpful tips, and creative variations, you’re sure to impress your friends and family with this classic dessert. Happy baking!