Marbled Bars

Treat yourself to the indulgent swirl of flavor in these Marbled Bars, a dessert that perfectly combines rich cocoa and buttery vanilla in every bite. These gorgeous treats feature a soft, chewy base made with simple pantry staples, offering a harmonious contrast of flavors and textures. The mesmerizing marbled pattern is achieved by gently swirling two batters together, resulting in a show-stopping presentation that’s deceptively easy to create. With optional chocolate chips for extra decadence, these bars are baked to perfection in just 25–30 minutes, making them an ideal choice for any occasion—from casual snacks to elegant dessert tables. Impress your guests with this visually stunning, easy-to-make recipe that’s sure to disappear in seconds!

Nutriscore Rating: 46/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:25 mins

Total Time:40 mins

Servings: 12

Ingredients

• 1 cup unsalted butter
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 0.5 cup light brown sugar, packed
• 2 whole large eggs
• 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 0.5 teaspoon salt
• 0.25 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 2 tablespoons milk
• 0.5 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips (optional)

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9x13-inch baking pan and line it with parchment paper, leaving some overhang for easy removal.

Step 2

In a large mixing bowl, cream together the butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy using a hand mixer or stand mixer.

Step 3

Beat in the eggs, one at a time, until fully incorporated. Then mix in the vanilla extract.

Step 4

In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add this dry mixture to the wet mixture, stirring just until combined. Do not overmix.

Step 5

Divide the batter equally into two bowls. In one bowl, stir in the cocoa powder and milk until fully combined. If using, fold in the optional chocolate chips into this cocoa batter.

Step 6

Spread the plain (vanilla) batter evenly into the prepared pan. Dollop the cocoa batter on top in spoonfuls, then use a knife to gently swirl the batters together to create a marbled effect. Be careful not to over-swirl; you want distinct patterns.

Step 7

Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with only a few moist crumbs.

Step 8

Let the bars cool completely in the pan on a wire rack. Use the parchment overhang to lift the bars out of the pan and transfer them to a cutting board.

Step 9

Cut into 12 bars and serve! Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	977.4 grams (977.4g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	3719

Total Fat 149.40g	192%
Saturated Fat 84.50g	422%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.00g
Cholesterol 623mg	208%
Sodium 1830mg	80%
Total Carbohydrate 588.80g	214%
Dietary Fiber 36.00g	129%
Total Sugars 348.20g
Protein 58.60g	117%

Vitamin D 93IU	465%
Calcium 384mg	30%
Iron 27mg	152%
Potassium 1827mg	39%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 34.2%

Protein: 6.0%

Carbs: 59.9%