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    Home » Recipes » Brownies/ Blondies/Cookie Bars

    Raspberry Chocolate Chip Bars

    By Wendy Sondov · Published: Jul 24, 2018 · This post may contain affiliate links · As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    Raspberry Chocolate Chip Bars are chewy, fruity, and chocolaty for a trifecta of deliciousness! These sturdy bars do not need refrigeration, making them an ideal choice for picnics or care packages.

    Raspberry Chocolate Chip Bars cut into squares on background sprinkled with chocolate chips and raspberries.

    Why you'll love this recipe

    During the summer, it's very important to choose picnic and care package baked goods carefully considering the length of time they will be exposed to heat. Nobody wants moldy or spoiled baked goods!

    These Raspberry Bars are summer heat resistant. Traditional fruit bars, filled with a bounty of fresh summer fruits, are amazingly delicious but they don’t travel well. You need a sturdy bar that doesn’t require refrigeration.

    This easy recipe uses raspberry extract and shortening for a fruit flavored, chewy bar ideal for summer snacking.

    Stack of bars in a white bowl.

    Instructions

    This is an overview of the instructions. The full instructions are in the recipe card below.

    1. In a medium bowl, combine flour, baking powder, salt.
    2. Place vegetable shortening in large microwave-safe bowl and microwave about 1 minute until melted.
    3. Into the large bowl of melted shortening add flour mixture, sugar, eggs and yolk, and vanilla extract and raspberry jello (or raspberry extract). Mix with a large spoon until smooth. For a pink colored bar, mix in food coloring gel. Stir in chocolate chips.
    4. Spread the batter evenly into a 9" x9" square baking pan lined with aluminum foil, then sprinkle with nonpareils. With fingertips, gently press the sprinkles to make sure they sticks to the batter.
    5. Bake for 25-30 minutes at 350 degrees F until golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool completely in the pan on a wire rack.

    Storage

    Store at room temperature in an airtight container or ziplock bag for up to 10 days. For longer storage, do not cutting into individual bars, instead wrap the entire square.

    Tips for summer shipping and fruit

    Don’t do it. Fruit is full of moist sugars which will cause baked goods to mold in very little time when shipped in hot weather.

    Instead, use recipes that provide fruity flavor without actually adding fruit. Look for recipes like Raspberry Chocolate Chip Bars that use fruit flavoring instead of fresh raspberries.

    Flavoring choices include:

    • Powdered drink mix (like Kool Aid)
    • jello powder
    • extracts (I love LorAnn Bakery Emulsions. The flavors don’t bake out.)
    Closeup of Raspberry Chocolate Chip Bars with red and pink nonpareil sprinkles on top.

    Frequently asked questions

    What desserts do well in the heat?

    The best desserts for hot weather don't require refrigeration or have ingredients, like whipped cream or cream cheese, that spoil quickly, and don't have ingredients that melt like chocolate or frosting. Bars and cookies are a good choice.

    What can I bake for hot weather care packages?

    The best baked goods for hot weather shipping are made with heat resistant ingredients. Shortening is the fat least likely to spoil. White sugar is the sweetener least likely to promote mold. Hot weather baked goods have the best chance of arriving without mold or spoilage.

    More picnic desserts that don't need refrigeration

    White Chocolate Lemon Bars are lemon and white chocolate cookie bars perfect for summer picnics and care packages.

    This Strawberry Brownies recipe makes a chewy, fruity bar for strawberry lovers! No stand mixer needed!

    Lemon Biscotti are crunchy, dunkable cookies. Enjoy them with a cup of tea or as a snack anytime.

    Orange Cookies have a crunchy outer sugar coating and a soft, cake-like interior. These citrus cookies should be a summer time staple.

    Strawberry Lemonade Bars are soft, fruity bars with a bottom layer of lemon bar and a top layer of pink strawberry. Truly one of the best combos for summertime flavor.

    Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Bars are thick, chewy bar cookies that taste like a peanut butter cup!

     Bars cut into squares.

    Ready to bake? Join the free membership group to get new recipes and a newsletter delivered to your inbox! You can also stay in touch on Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram. I’d love to stay in touch!

    Raspberry Chocolate Chip Bars

    Chocolate Chip Raspberry Bars

    These chewy, chocolate raspberry bars don't need refrigeration, making them an ideal choice for picnics or care packages.
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Rate
    Course: Dessert
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 15 minutes
    Cook Time: 30 minutes
    Total Time: 45 minutes
    Servings: 20
    Calories: 162kcal
    Author: Wendy Sondov

    Ingredients

    • 1 cup all-purpose flour
    • ½ teaspoon baking powder
    • ¼ teaspoon salt
    • ½ cup butter flavor vegetable shortening
    • 1¼ cups granulated sugar
    • 2 large eggs + 1 egg yolk
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
    • 1 tablespoon raspberry jello powder OR 2 teaspoons raspberry extract
    • 4-7 drops drops of pink food coloring gel optional
    • ½ cup mini chocolate chips semisweet or dark chocolate chips
    • 2-3 tablespoons pink and red nonpareil sprinkles

    Instructions

    • Heat oven to 350 degrees F. Line a 9” x 9” square baking pan with aluminum foil extending over the edges. Spray the foil with non-stick spray.
    • In a medium bowl, combine flour, baking powder, salt.
    • Place vegetable shortening in large microwave-safe bowl and microwave about 1 minute until melted.
    • Into the large bowl of melted shortening add flour mixture, sugar, eggs and yolk, and vanilla extract and raspberry jello (or raspberry extract). Mix with a large spoon until smooth.
    • For a pink colored bar, mix in food coloring gel.
    • Stir in chocolate chips.
    • Spread the batter evenly into pan, then sprinkle with nonpareils. With fingertips, gently press the sprinkles to make sure they sticks to the batter.
    • Bake for 25-30 minutes until golden brown and toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.
    • Cool completely in pan on wire rack.
    • When cool, remove from pan by lifting the overhanging foil.
    • Cut into bars.
    • Store at room temperature in an airtight container or ziplock bag for up to 10 days. For longer storage, do not cutting into individual bars, but wrapping the entire square.

    Notes

    • Substitute white chocolate chips or chopped white chocolate bars for all or part of the semi-sweet chocolate chips to add creamy vanilla flavor.
    • Instead of sprinkles, you can also sprinkle chocolate chips on top of the batter as decoration before baking.
    Packing tips
    • Double wrap bars individually or in pairs in plastic wrap before placing in airtight containers or ziplock bags.
    • Wrapping the entire pan of Raspberry Bars without cutting will preserve moisture and keep the bars chewy for longer.
    • If sending the bars uncut, for easy wrapping and shipping, bake in a disposable square pan and wrap the batch right in the pan.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 162kcal | Carbohydrates: 21g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 17mg | Sodium: 47mg | Potassium: 47mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 16g | Vitamin A: 27IU | Calcium: 13mg | Iron: 1mg
    Tried this Recipe? Pin it for Later!Mention @TheMondayBox or tag #themondaybox!

    First Published: July 24, 2018. Last Updated: May 5, 2022. Updated for additional information and better reader experience.

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    Comments

    1. Carlee

      July 26, 2018 at 5:12 pm

      Yum! I love the raspberry and chocolate combo, though the color and the chocolate speckles in the stacked picture remind me of watermelon for some reason! 😉 These look like a perfect treat. Also, I completely agree, the summer season is set by the school calendar!

      Reply
    2. Mary

      July 25, 2018 at 4:22 am

      5 stars
      Love all your recipes would love to be on your test team though I live in Ireland so might be a bit of a stretch sending it but I sure could tell you if they travel well, have a lovely summer and thank you for all the amazing recipes .

      Reply
      • The Monday Box

        July 25, 2018 at 7:40 am

        Thank you so much for your very kind words, Mary! You've given me a big smile which will last all day! 🙂 Lots of my recipes have made it successfully to Afghanistan and onto ships in the Pacific in military care packages. I'm pretty sure we could get cookies to Ireland! 🙂

        Reply
        • Mary

          July 25, 2018 at 9:03 am

          Oh I'm so glad I made you smiles your kindness sending care packages does that to lots of military if you consider me as a taster get in touch would love that have a lovely day

          Reply

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    I'm Wendy, a baker, care package maker, and smile creator. On The Monday Box you’ll find care package inspiration and recipes for delicious treats that make it easy for you to share home baked love. Let’s spread happiness, one cookie at a time!

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