These Raspberry Chocolate Chip Shortbread bars are a sweet treat that combines buttery shortbread with tart raspberries and rich chocolate chips. Perfect for snacking or dessert!
These bars are so easy to make, you’ll want to whip them up all the time! I love that they are the best of both worlds—tangy and sweet. Great for sharing or keeping all to yourself! 🍫🍇
Ingredients & Substitutions
Unsalted Butter: This gives a rich flavor to the shortbread. If you’re out, you can use salted butter but reduce the added salt in the recipe. I prefer using high-quality butter for the best taste.
Granulated Sugar: This sweetens the bars and helps with the texture. You can substitute with coconut sugar for a more natural option, but it may alter the color slightly.
Vanilla Extract: It adds a warm flavor. You can swap it for almond extract if you want a nuttier taste. Just keep in mind that almond extract is stronger, so use a little less.
All-Purpose Flour: This is key for structure. If you’re gluten-free, try using a 1:1 gluten-free baking flour. It’s really worked for me in the past!
Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips: These pair beautifully with the tartness of raspberries. You can replace them with dark chocolate chips or even white chocolate if you prefer something sweeter.
Fresh Raspberries: If fresh raspberries aren’t available, frozen ones work just fine—just toss them in a bit of flour to prevent them from sinking. Personally, I love the tartness of fresh raspberries.
How Do You Get the Perfect Shortbread Texture?
Achieving the ideal shortbread texture is key for these bars. The dough should be crumbly but still hold together when pressed. Here are a few tips:
- Make sure your butter is softened but not melted. This helps it cream well with the sugar.
- Don’t overmix the dough when adding the flour. Mix until just combined to keep it light and crumbly.
- Press the dough into the pan gently, avoiding compacting it too much, so it bakes up tender.
These techniques provide a tender shortbread base that compliments the chocolate and raspberries perfectly. Happy baking!
How to Make Raspberry Chocolate Chip Shortbread Bars
Ingredients You’ll Need:
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
- 1 cup fresh raspberries, gently rinsed and patted dry
- Optional: flaky sea salt for topping
How Much Time Will You Need?
This recipe takes about 15-20 minutes for preparation and 30-35 minutes for baking, making the total time approximately 50-55 minutes. Make sure to let them cool completely before cutting, which can take an additional 30 minutes or so. The wait is worth it!
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Prepping the Oven and Baking Pan:
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Prepare a 9×9-inch baking pan by lightly greasing it or lining it with parchment paper. Make sure to leave some parchment hanging over the edges so you can lift the bars out easily later.
2. Mixing the Butter and Sugar:
In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. You can use a hand mixer or a stand mixer for this step. It usually takes about 2-3 minutes.
3. Adding Vanilla:
Add in the vanilla extract and mix it until well blended with the butter and sugar. This little addition gives a lovely flavor to the bars!
4. Incorporating the Dry Ingredients:
Gradually add the flour and salt into the butter mixture. Mix until it’s just combined. The dough will be crumbly but should stick together when you press it in your hands.
5. Forming the Shortbread Base:
Press about two-thirds of the dough evenly into the bottom of your prepared pan. Make sure it’s packed down nicely so it bakes evenly. Set the remaining dough aside for now.
6. Adding Chocolate Chips:
Sprinkle the chocolate chips evenly over the shortbread base. This layer is so delicious and provides a rich chocolatey flavor!
7. Adding Fresh Raspberries:
Gently place the fresh raspberries over the chocolate chips, trying your best to keep them flat to avoid squishing them. This will help them bake perfectly!
8. Crumbling the Remaining Dough:
Take the reserved dough and crumble it evenly over the raspberries and chocolate chips. This creates a tasty topping!
9. Baking in the Oven:
Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for about 30-35 minutes. Look for the edges to turn golden brown and the top to look set.
10. Cooling the Bars:
Once baked, remove the pan from the oven. Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack. This is an important step—patience pays off!
11. Final Touch:
Once cooled, if you’d like, sprinkle lightly with flaky sea salt for a flavor boost and a nice crunchy finish.
12. Lifting and Cutting:
Use the parchment paper overhang to lift the bars out of the pan. Transfer them to a cutting board and slice them into squares.
13. Enjoy!
These Raspberry Chocolate Chip Shortbread Bars are ready to be enjoyed! Serve them up at a gathering or keep them all to yourself—happy munching!
These bars are a delightful treat with a buttery, crumbly base, a luscious layer of melted chocolate, and bursts of fresh raspberry flavor that make them perfect for any occasion!
Can I Use Frozen Raspberries?
Absolutely! If using frozen raspberries, toss them in a bit of flour before adding them to your bars. This helps prevent them from sinking and becoming too mushy during baking.
How Should I Store Leftover Bars?
Store any leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer freshness, you can refrigerate them for up to a week or freeze for up to two months. Just make sure to label them for easy access later!
What Can I Substitute for Semisweet Chocolate Chips?
You can use dark chocolate chips for a richer taste, milk chocolate chips for a sweeter bar, or even white chocolate chips for a unique twist. If you want to keep things dairy-free, be sure to look for dairy-free chocolate options!
Can I Make These Bars Gluten-Free?
Yes, you can! Substitute the all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking flour blend. Just ensure that the blend you choose contains xanthan gum for better texture. The bars will still taste delightful!