I have to take a break from Links this weekend because my travels have kept me away from the computer and my usual reading. I feel a bit like I’m not holding up my end of the food blogging deal as I know I’m missing a lot of great posts, but next week will have me back to the computer and catching up.
Before I left for my DC trip I had the chance to play a bit in the kitchen with chocolate and some frozen raspberries from last year’s garden. The new ones are getting ready to come on so my parents need to make some freezer space.
A while back I reviewed one of the Clif Nectar Cacao bars flavored with raspberry and dark chocolate. I really enjoyed it and knew I wanted to try to recreate something similar. My version is baked so they don’t have the same texture as a natural bar, but they are rich and fudgy. They turned out to be somewhat of a cross between a breakfast or energy bar and a dessert.
I’d like to work with it more to reduce the sugar (maybe more or all honey) and up the nutrition content, but I was happy with the results of my first attempt. I started with a Baker’s One Bowl Brownies recipe and adjusted the ingredients. I love how they are not very sweet allowing the flavor of the raspberries and bitter chocolate to shine through. If you want something a bit sweeter my suggestion would be to add more chocolate chips.
Dark Chocolate Raspberry Bars
4 squares unsweetened chocolate 
1 ½ sticks butter
1 cup frozen raspberries
1 cup sugar
1/3 cup honey
3 eggs
¾ cup whole wheat flour
¼ cup rolled oats
1/3 cup walnuts
1/3 cup chocolate chips
1 ½ sticks butter
1 cup frozen raspberries
1 cup sugar
1/3 cup honey
3 eggs
¾ cup whole wheat flour
¼ cup rolled oats
1/3 cup walnuts
1/3 cup chocolate chips
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
In the microwave melt the unsweetened chocolate and butter together until smooth. While still warm, stir in the frozen berries. Microwave again until the berries are fully defrosted and incorporated into the chocolate.
Transfer chocolate to a mixing bowl and stir in sugar and honey, then blend in the eggs. In a food processor, combine the flour and oats. Pulse until the oats are finely ground. Add in the walnuts and pulse until they are chopped into very small pieces.
Add the flour mixture to the chocolate mixture and stir just until combined. Stir in the chocolate chips.
Line a 9 x 13 inch pan with foil and grease the foil well. Pour in the bar batter. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes or until baked through and an inserted toothpick comes out clean. Let cool and slice into bars.
what a wonderful combination raspberries and dark chocolate looks fab
Looks yummy! I bet it would also be good with strawberries or blueberries.
Those look excellent – raspberries really are awesome with chocolate.
Raspberries and chocolate are such a great pair! These look fudgy moist and so delicious!
Chow and Chatter – It is one of my favorites!
Alison – Oooh, blueberries. That’s a great idea!
Marianne – Fruit and chocolate is so good, but berries are definitely my favorite match up.
Reeni – I was really happy with the result.
Another great looking raspberry recipe! YUM! Enjoy your travels
those bars look bomb! thanks for sharing!
I love Clif Nectar bars so this is great! Definitely keep us posted for any changes to it but right now, this recipe hits the spot.
This is one of those posts that you see & you know it’s gonna bother you till you make it! YUM to the last letter!!! No raspberries here, but I do have some frozen strawberries…mmmm
Those look absolutely wonderful! I’m going to give those a try for Father’s Day :o)
http://www.faxfoods.com
mmmmm I love berries and chocolate together. What a great creation. Glad you had a nice trip!
Dark chocolate & raspberries, one of the all time best flavor combinations
Dark chocolate and raspberry is a wonderful combination – the bars sound just scrumptious!
These bars look so rich and luscious. Chocolate and raspberries are the perfect combination and your bars look like they get right to the point and bring that deep flavor straight to the tastebuds without any unwanted additions. Wow! They look perfect for that chocolate craving!
These sound delicious! You could maybe try adding in some quinoa flour for extra protein, if you’re still playing with them.
Raspberries and chocolate are one of my very favorite combinations!
Chocolate and raspberry is always winning combination!
Breakfat bar + dessert means guilt-free brownies for breakfast, yes? 🙂 I love fruit and chocolate–this sounds delicious!
I would eat these for breakfast lunch and dinner!!!