Soft and Gooey No-Butter Everything Bars
Just loooook at the chocolate pools cascading down those cracks and crevices. And scene.
Oh hello, August. Happy you're here. Not so happy that this means it's the last month of summer. But what can you do.
Actually, I know what you can do. You can make these soft and gooey no-butter everything bars. Am I saying that these gooey bars will make your summer last any longer? No. In fact, these bars may actually make time seem to go by more quickly.
But, here's what I am saying: I am saying that these everything bars will make the rest of your summer even more enjoyable and all the remaining days more delicious.
So, are you by any chance a fan of cookie dough? You know, the raw dough before it's baked? If you are, say hello to your new favorite bar recipe. Because these no-butter everything bars actually mimic the taste and texture of cookie dough, even after being fully baked.
Don't ask me how. Just rejoice in the miracle. Bask in all the cookie dough-like, soft and gooey glory of these everything bars.
Because boy are these everything bars soft and gooey. And rich and tender. And just slightly crispy on the edges. And dangerously delicious.
And to make things even more dangerous, these no-butter bars are so quick and easy to make. These bars are made in one bowl, with basic ingredients that require a quick stirring before being dumped into a baking pan. Aaaaaaaaand your bars are already in the oven. It's that simple.
Here's why these are called "everything" bars: this recipe is loaded with chocolate chips, oats, dried fruit, and nuts.
Well, not chocolate chips, in my case, but chocolate chunks. Obviously. Why mess around with chocolate chips when you can opt for bigger chunks of bittersweet chocolate that melt into hot chocolate puddles once baked? That was a rhetorical question, btw.
I don't wanna use the word "too," but yeah, these no-butter everything bars are too easy and quick and rich and dense and gooey and soft and flavorful and cookie-dough like. What with that addictive vanilla flavor and all the chocolate chunks and oats and nuts and dried fruit.
And did I mention that these bars are magical? Yes, I did. But I had to repeat it.
Soft and Gooey No-Butter Everything Bars
Yield: about 18 bars
½ cup oil
2/3 cup light brown sugar, packed
¼ cup sugar
1 large egg
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 ¼ cups packed flour
½ teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon salt
½ cup chocolate chips or chopped chocolate
½ cup quick oats
1/3 cup Craisins, raisins, or chopped dates
1/3 cup chopped nuts of choice
1. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line an 8x8 square baking pan with parchment paper, leaving some excess hanging over the rim for easy removal later.
2. In a large bowl, vigorously whisk together the oil, sugars, egg, and vanilla extract until smooth.
3. Pour the flour, baking soda, and salt on top of the wet ingredients and stir everything together until just combined. Stir in the chocolate chips, oats, dried fruit, and nuts last.
4. Spread the batter evenly into the prepared baking pan. Bake for 22-26 minutes, until the top is slightly golden and the center is set. The bars will be very gooey and may seem a little raw–don’t worry, that’s how you want them!
5. Allow the bars to cool completely before lifting them out of pan with the overhanging parchment paper. Slice into bars of desired size.
