Chocolate Swoon Bars

These chocolatey bars of ooey-gooeyness are delicious! They are dense, rich, and chewy. Did I mention they have chocolate chips on top? Oh, well then - they have chocolate chips on top!

The method of making these is different than most bars. They take a little more time to whip up, but the results are so worth it. Swoon...

Chocolate Swoon Bars

Adapted from this recipe

Makes 24 bars

2 cups light brown sugar, packed (or honey sucanat)

3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) butter, softened

2 eggs

2 teaspoons vanilla or vanilla-butter-nut extract

2 cups flour (or 10 oz Soft White wheat flour)

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 teaspoon baking powder

1 (12 oz) bag milk chocolate chips

1 cup semi-sweet or milk chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350°. Grease a 9 x 13 baking dish. Set aside

Combine flour, baking soda, and baking powder in a small bowl. Set aside

Place paddle attachment on stand mixer, or beaters on hand mixer. Have ready to use.

In a small bowl, mix together eggs and extract. Set aside.

Combine brown sugar and butter together in a medium saucepan. Cook over medium heat until bubbly. Stirring constantly, cook for an additional three minutes at same heat. (You don't want caramel, just the sugar to be barely dissolved).

Remove from heat and stir for one minute. Pour into stand mixer bowl, (or other heat-proof bowl if using hand mixer). Mix on low for about three minutes. Increase speed to medium. Mix for two minutes, scraping down bowl as needed. (The mixture should be warm, but not molten).

Slowly add egg mixture (you don't want the eggs to cook). The batter should be shiny and light brown. Mix until eggs are fully incorporated, scraping the bowl as needed.

Add flour until just incorporated. Add chocolate chips and mix for about 30 seconds. The chocolate should mostly melt into the batter. Pour into prepared pan.

Bake until toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, about 25-30 minutes (Mine took closer to 40 minutes). Remove from oven and sprinkle with one cup chocolate chips (feel free to use more, to fill in the gaps). Allow to cool completely before cutting into bars. Enjoy!