Gooey Dulce de Leche Fudge Bars

After a busy week, nothing quite hits the spot like a homemade treat, and let me tell you, these Gooey Dulce de Leche Fudge Bars were an absolute game-changer in our household! From the moment the rich aroma of caramel and chocolate started wafting through the kitchen, everyone was practically glued to the oven door. The first bite? Pure bliss. The fudgy base, incredibly moist and decadent, paired perfectly with the luscious swirl of dulce de leche. It’s the kind of dessert that disappears in minutes at any gathering and leaves you wanting just one more piece. These bars are not just delicious; they are incredibly easy to make, making them a winner for both novice and experienced bakers. Trust me, if you’re looking for a crowd-pleasing dessert that’s guaranteed to impress, look no further. These Gooey Dulce de Leche Fudge Bars are your answer!

Ingredients

• All-Purpose Flour: The base of our fudge bars, providing structure and a tender crumb.
• Unsalted Butter: Adds richness, flavor, and moisture to the fudge bars, ensuring a melt-in-your-mouth texture. It’s crucial to use unsalted butter to control the salt content in the recipe.
• Granulated Sugar: Sweetens the bars and contributes to their moistness and texture. Granulated sugar is ideal for baking as it dissolves well and provides the right level of sweetness.
• Unsweetened Cocoa Powder: Gives the fudge bars their deep, rich chocolate flavor. Use good quality cocoa powder for the best results.
• Salt: Enhances the flavors of all the ingredients, especially the sweetness of the sugar and the richness of the chocolate and dulce de leche. It balances the sweetness and prevents the bars from tasting flat.
• Eggs: Bind the ingredients together and add richness and structure. Eggs contribute to the fudgy texture and help the bars hold their shape.
• Vanilla Extract: Enhances the overall flavor profile, adding a warm and aromatic note that complements the chocolate and dulce de leche beautifully. Pure vanilla extract is recommended for the best flavor.
• Sweetened Condensed Milk: The star ingredient that transforms into dulce de leche. It provides a creamy, sweet, and caramelized flavor that is essential for these bars.
• Heavy Cream: Used to thin out the dulce de leche, making it easier to swirl and creating a smoother, more luscious texture. It also adds extra richness and creaminess.
• Dulce de Leche: The heart of these gooey bars, providing a deep caramel flavor and irresistible sweetness. You can either make your own from sweetened condensed milk or use store-bought for convenience.
• Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips: Adds extra chocolate richness and texture to the bars. They melt beautifully and create pockets of delicious chocolate throughout the fudge.

Instructions

Let’s embark on the delightful journey of creating these irresistible Gooey Dulce de Leche Fudge Bars. Each step is crafted to ensure you achieve baking perfection, resulting in bars that are both visually stunning and utterly delicious. Follow these detailed instructions carefully, and you’ll be rewarded with a treat that will impress everyone.

Step 1: Preheat Your Oven and Prepare Your Baking Pan

Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). This crucial step ensures that your oven reaches the correct temperature before you place your fudge bars in to bake, promoting even cooking and preventing uneven textures. While the oven is preheating, take an 8×8 inch baking pan. Lining the pan with parchment paper is highly recommended. This simple step will be your best friend when it comes to removing the baked fudge bars later. Allow the parchment paper to overhang on the sides; this will act as handles, making it incredibly easy to lift the entire batch of fudge bars out of the pan in one go, ensuring clean edges and preventing any breakage. Lightly grease the parchment paper with cooking spray or butter. This extra step, although seemingly small, prevents the fudge bars from sticking to the parchment paper and ensures a smooth, clean release. Set the prepared pan aside, ready for the batter.

Step 2: Combine Dry Ingredients

In a medium-sized mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, unsweetened cocoa powder, granulated sugar, and salt. Whisking is essential here, not just stirring. It ensures that all the dry ingredients are evenly distributed and, most importantly, that the cocoa powder is thoroughly incorporated. This prevents any clumps of cocoa powder in your batter, which could lead to pockets of bitter flavor in your final fudge bars. The flour provides structure, the cocoa powder delivers the rich chocolate flavor, the sugar adds sweetness and moisture, and the salt enhances all the flavors, creating a balanced and delicious base for your fudge bars. Set this bowl of perfectly combined dry ingredients aside.

Step 3: Melt the Butter and Combine with Dry Ingredients

In a separate, microwave-safe bowl, melt the unsalted butter. You can do this in the microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring in between, until the butter is completely melted. Be careful not to overheat the butter, as this can alter its texture and flavor. Alternatively, you can melt the butter in a saucepan over low heat on the stovetop. Once the butter is melted, pour it directly into the bowl of dry ingredients. Using a rubber spatula or a wooden spoon, gently stir the melted butter into the dry ingredients until just combined. It’s important not to overmix at this stage. Overmixing can develop the gluten in the flour, leading to tough fudge bars. Mix just until the dry ingredients are moistened and a slightly crumbly mixture forms. This mixture will be the base of your fudge bars, providing a sturdy and flavorful foundation for the gooey dulce de leche layer.

Step 4: Add Eggs and Vanilla Extract

Now, add the eggs, one at a time, to the butter and flour mixture. After each egg addition, mix gently until just incorporated. Again, avoid overmixing. The eggs bind the ingredients together, adding moisture and richness to the batter. Once both eggs are incorporated, add the vanilla extract. Vanilla extract enhances the overall flavor profile of the fudge bars, adding a warm and aromatic note that complements the chocolate and dulce de leche beautifully. Stir the vanilla extract into the batter until it is evenly distributed. The batter should now be smooth and well-combined, ready to form the base of your fudge bars.

Step 5: Prepare the Dulce de Leche Swirl

In a small, microwave-safe bowl, combine the dulce de leche and heavy cream. Microwave this mixture for about 30 seconds to 1 minute, or until the dulce de leche is slightly softened and easier to stir. The heavy cream thins out the dulce de leche, making it more fluid and easier to swirl into the fudge batter. Stir the dulce de leche and heavy cream together until they are smoothly combined and have a pourable consistency. If the dulce de leche is still too thick, microwave for another 15-20 seconds and stir again. You want a smooth, flowing dulce de leche that will swirl beautifully into the batter without sinking to the bottom.

Step 6: Assemble the Fudge Bars

Pour approximately two-thirds of the chocolate fudge batter into the prepared baking pan. Spread it evenly across the bottom of the pan using a spatula or the back of a spoon. This layer will form the base of your fudge bars. Next, gently pour the prepared dulce de leche mixture over the chocolate batter. Try to distribute it evenly across the surface. Finally, spoon the remaining one-third of the chocolate fudge batter over the dulce de leche layer. Don’t worry about completely covering the dulce de leche; you want some of it to remain visible for the swirling effect.

Step 7: Create the Dulce de Leche Swirl

Now for the fun part – creating the beautiful dulce de leche swirl! Take a knife or a toothpick and gently swirl the dulce de leche into the chocolate batter. Drag the knife or toothpick through the layers in a back-and-forth or figure-eight motion. Be careful not to over-swirl, as you still want to maintain distinct layers of chocolate and dulce de leche. The goal is to create a visually appealing marbled effect throughout the fudge bars. This swirling action not only looks beautiful but also ensures that each bite contains a delightful combination of chocolate and dulce de leche flavors.

Step 8: Sprinkle with Chocolate Chips (Optional but Recommended)

For an extra touch of chocolate richness and texture, sprinkle the semi-sweet chocolate chips evenly over the top of the fudge bars. The chocolate chips will melt slightly as the bars bake, creating gooey pockets of chocolate and adding another layer of indulgence. If you prefer, you can also use other types of chocolate chips, such as dark chocolate or milk chocolate, or even chopped nuts for added texture and flavor.

Step 9: Bake to Perfection

Place the baking pan in the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with moist crumbs attached. It’s important not to overbake the fudge bars, as they should be fudgy and slightly moist in the center, not dry and cakey. The edges should be set, but the center might still appear slightly soft. This is perfectly normal and contributes to the gooey texture we are aiming for. Keep an eye on the bars during the last few minutes of baking to prevent overbrowning.

Step 10: Cool Completely

Once baked, remove the fudge bars from the oven and let them cool completely in the baking pan on a wire rack. This is a crucial step, as the fudge bars need time to set and firm up. Resist the temptation to cut into them while they are still warm, as they will be too soft and may fall apart. Cooling completely allows the fudge bars to achieve their perfect fudgy texture and makes them easier to cut and serve. For even better results, you can chill the fudge bars in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours after they have cooled to room temperature. Chilling will make them even firmer and easier to cut into clean, neat squares.

Step 11: Cut and Serve

Once the fudge bars are completely cooled and set (and ideally chilled), lift them out of the baking pan using the parchment paper overhang as handles. Place them on a cutting board. Using a sharp knife, cut the fudge bars into squares. For clean cuts, you can run the knife under hot water and wipe it clean between each cut. The size of the squares is up to you; you can cut them into smaller squares for bite-sized treats or larger squares for a more substantial dessert. Serve and enjoy these incredibly gooey and delicious Dulce de Leche Fudge Bars! They are perfect for parties, potlucks, or any time you crave a sweet and indulgent treat.

Nutrition Facts

(Per Serving, approximately 16 servings per 8×8 inch pan)

• Serving Size: 1 bar (approx. 2 inch square)
• Calories: 250 kcal
• Total Fat: 12g

Please note: Nutritional values are estimates and may vary based on specific ingredients used and serving sizes.

Preparation Time

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 25-30 minutes
• Cooling Time: 2-3 hours (minimum)
• Total Time: Approximately 3-4 hours (including cooling)

How to Serve

These Gooey Dulce de Leche Fudge Bars are incredibly versatile and can be enjoyed in numerous ways. Here are some delightful serving suggestions:

• Classic Dessert: Serve chilled or at room temperature as a standalone dessert. Their rich flavor and gooey texture make them satisfying on their own.
• Warm with Ice Cream: Gently warm a fudge bar in the microwave for a few seconds until slightly softened. Top with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or dulce de leche ice cream for an extra indulgent treat. The contrast of warm fudge and cold ice cream is heavenly.
• Coffee or Tea Pairing: Serve alongside a cup of hot coffee or tea. The sweetness of the fudge bars complements the bitterness of coffee or tea perfectly, making for a delightful afternoon or evening treat.
• Party Platter: Cut the fudge bars into smaller squares and arrange them on a dessert platter with other sweets and treats. They are perfect for parties, potlucks, and holiday gatherings.
• Dessert Bar Station: Set up a dessert bar station with fudge bars as the centerpiece. Offer toppings like whipped cream, chocolate sauce, caramel sauce, chopped nuts, and fresh berries for guests to customize their own fudge bar creations.
• Gift Giving: Wrap individual fudge bars in cellophane bags or arrange them in a decorative box to give as homemade gifts. They are a thoughtful and delicious present for friends, family, or neighbors.
• Picnic Treat: Pack fudge bars for a picnic. They travel well and are a delightful sweet treat to enjoy outdoors. Just be sure to keep them cool in warmer weather to prevent them from becoming too soft.
• Layered Dessert: Crumble fudge bars and layer them in a trifle or parfait with whipped cream, fruit, and other dessert components to create a decadent layered dessert.

Additional Tips for Perfect Fudge Bars

Achieving fudge bar perfection is easier than you might think with a few helpful tips and tricks. Here are six essential tips to ensure your Gooey Dulce de Leche Fudge Bars are a resounding success every time:

1. Don’t Overbake: The key to gooey fudge bars is to avoid overbaking. Bake just until the edges are set and the center is still slightly soft and moist. Overbaking will result in dry, cakey bars instead of the desired fudgy texture. A toothpick inserted into the center should come out with moist crumbs attached, not clean.
2. Use Quality Ingredients: The flavor of your fudge bars is directly influenced by the quality of the ingredients you use. Opt for good quality unsalted butter, unsweetened cocoa powder, and vanilla extract. For the dulce de leche, you can either make your own from scratch using sweetened condensed milk for the most authentic flavor or use a high-quality store-bought version.
3. Properly Measure Flour: Accurately measuring flour is crucial in baking. Too much flour can result in dry and dense fudge bars. The best way to measure flour is using the “spoon and level” method. Spoon flour into your measuring cup until it’s overflowing, then level it off with a straight edge, like the back of a knife. Avoid scooping directly from the flour container, as this can compact the flour and lead to using too much.
4. Cool Completely Before Cutting: Patience is key when it comes to cooling fudge bars. Allow them to cool completely in the baking pan before attempting to cut them. This allows the fudge to set properly and firm up, making it easier to cut into clean squares. For even cleaner cuts and firmer bars, chill them in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours after they have cooled to room temperature.
5. Customize with Variations: Feel free to get creative and customize your fudge bars with different variations. Try adding chopped nuts like walnuts or pecans to the batter or sprinkling them on top before baking for added crunch and flavor. You can also experiment with different types of chocolate chips, such as dark chocolate, milk chocolate, or even white chocolate. For a richer chocolate flavor, use dark cocoa powder. You can also incorporate spices like cinnamon or espresso powder into the batter to enhance the flavor profile.
6. Storage Tips: Store leftover fudge bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3-4 days or in the refrigerator for up to a week. For longer storage, you can freeze the fudge bars. Cut them into squares, wrap them individually in plastic wrap, and then place them in a freezer-safe bag or container. Frozen fudge bars can last for up to 2-3 months. Thaw them in the refrigerator or at room temperature before serving.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Here are some common questions and answers to help you bake the perfect Gooey Dulce de Leche Fudge Bars:

Q1: Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted butter?

A: While unsalted butter is recommended for most baking recipes to control the salt content, you can use salted butter in a pinch. If you use salted butter, reduce the amount of added salt in the recipe by half or omit it altogether. Keep in mind that using salted butter may slightly alter the overall flavor profile of the fudge bars.

Q2: Can I make dulce de leche from scratch?

A: Absolutely! Making dulce de leche from scratch is a rewarding process and adds an extra layer of homemade goodness to your fudge bars. The most common method is to simmer unopened cans of sweetened condensed milk in water for several hours until it caramelizes into dulce de leche. Be sure to research safe and detailed instructions for making dulce de leche from sweetened condensed milk to ensure proper cooking and prevent any safety hazards. Alternatively, you can find high-quality pre-made dulce de leche in most grocery stores for convenience.

Q3: Can I use a different size baking pan?

A: This recipe is specifically designed for an 8×8 inch baking pan. Using a different size pan will affect the thickness of the fudge bars and the baking time. If you use a larger pan, the bars will be thinner and may bake faster. If you use a smaller pan, they will be thicker and may require a longer baking time. Adjust baking time accordingly and keep an eye on the bars to prevent overbaking or underbaking.

Q4: My fudge bars are too crumbly. What did I do wrong?

A: Crumbly fudge bars are often a result of overbaking or using too much flour. Ensure you are not overbaking the bars; bake just until the edges are set and the center is still slightly moist. Also, double-check your flour measurement to ensure accuracy. Using too much flour can lead to dry and crumbly baked goods. Always use the “spoon and level” method when measuring flour.

Q5: Can I make these fudge bars ahead of time?

A: Yes, these Gooey Dulce de Leche Fudge Bars are perfect for making ahead of time. They store well and can even be made a day or two in advance. Once baked and cooled, store them in an airtight container at room temperature or in the refrigerator. In fact, some people find that the flavor and texture of the fudge bars improve slightly after being stored overnight.

Q6: Can I freeze these fudge bars?

A: Yes, these fudge bars freeze beautifully, making them a great option for making ahead and storing for future occasions. Cut the cooled fudge bars into squares, wrap them individually in plastic wrap, and then place them in a freezer-safe bag or container. Freeze for up to 2-3 months. Thaw them in the refrigerator or at room temperature for a few hours before serving. They will taste just as delicious as freshly baked!

Print