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96 Dessert Bars That'll Win Every Potluck, Bake Sale, & Holiday Party

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cheesecake bars with a cookie bottom and top layer drizzled with chocolate
PHOTO: JULIA GARTLAND; FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GORE

Though we love ALL desserts here at Delish, there’s one category that we’ll always return to, no matter the occasion or season. And no, we’re not talking about layer cakes or pies, though those are practically synonymous with birthdays and holidays. Instead, we’re reaching for recipes for brownies, cheesecake bars, blondies, and more grab-and-go treats that are easy on us to make and to share, but still wildly delicious and special. Because we reach for them so often, we thought we’d collect them all here in one place, so we’ve always got them at the ready. No matter what you need a dessert for, you’ll find just the thing on this list.

And did we mention how much easier these are to make than most other desserts? We’ve got the classics here—like lemon bars, magic cookie bars, oatmeal fudge bars, and innumerable versions of blondies and brownies—but where bars really shine is when they’re imitating other, more complicated desserts. Our pecan pie cheesecake bars, our birthday cake blondies, our chocolate chip cookie bars, our sweet potato crème brûlée bars, and our cookie dough cheesecake bars bring the flavors you love, but with way less ingredients and effort. So, you could get out the trifle dish, pie pan, or springform pan, but when you want to impress without making a huge mess or spending too much time in the kitchen, reach for your 9x9 pan instead.

Die-hard brownie or blondie fan? We have SO MANY recipes here for you. Some top faves: our pistachio brownies, our red velvet cheesecake brownies, our copycat cosmic brownies, or our French silk brownies if we’re feeling chocolate, or our brown sugar pop-tart blondies, our snickerdoodle blondies, or our honey & peanut butter blondies if we’re not. We’ve really turned almost every flavor we could think of into one or the other, but if there’s something you’re looking for, let us know in the comments below and we’ll see what we can do.

1

Cookie Dough Cheesecake Bars

cheesecake bars with a cookie bottom and top layer drizzled with chocolate
PHOTO: JULIA GARTLAND; FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GORE

These bars have a creamy cheesecake filling, with a chocolate chip cookie base and topping. The entire thing is topped with a simple chocolate drizzle, making for an extra-rich yet easy dessert that is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.

Get the Cookie Dough Cheesecake Bars recipe.

2

Red Velvet Cheesecake Brownies

red velvet and cheesecake swirls in brownies
PHOTO: ANDREW BUI; FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GORE

We’re no strangers to red velvet desserts, cheesecakes, or brownies, so this marriage felt like a no-brainer. The fudginess of the red velvet and the tang of the cheesecake make a beautiful partnership, while the brownie is the perfect base to hold it all together.

Get the Red Velvet Cheesecake Brownies recipe.

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3

Gingerbread Millionaire's Shortbread Bars

a stack of gingerbread millionaire shortbread bars
PHOTO: MURRAY HALL; FOOD STYLING: TAYLOR ANN SPENCER

If you love soft gingerbread cookies or millionaire's shortbread, then you’ve got to try this incredible mashup. Layers of chocolate and ginger caramel top tender spiced shortbread for a festive twist on this classic British bar.

Get the Gingerbread Millionaire's Shortbread Bars recipe.

4

Magic Cheesecake Bars

magic cheesecake bars
PHOTO: RACHEL VANNI ; FOOD STYLING: BROOKE CAISON

Classic magic bars, sometimes called “7-layer bars,” consist of graham crackers, condensed milk, gooey chocolate, butterscotch chips, coconut, AND nuts. We took these one step further, and added a decadent cheesecake layer that makes these extra special, perfect for sharing some holiday magic with this holiday season.

Get the Magic Cheesecake Bars recipe.

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5

Lemon Bars

sliced lemon bars topped with powdered sugar
PHOTO: ANDREW BUI; FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GORE

If you prefer your desserts almost more tart than sweet, then these lemon bars are the perfect spring dessert for you. An ideal make-ahead dessert, these bars will be the star of all your spring & summer bake sales. Pucker up, buttercup!

Get the Lemon Bars recipe.

6

Nutter Butter Cookie Bars

nutter butter cookie bars topped with nutter butter cookies and peanut butter chips
PHOTO: BRYAN GARDNER; FOOD STYLING: ADRIENNE ANDERSON

In this Oreo-obsessed world, Nutter Butters are often overlooked, but now these Nutter Butter bars are bringing them front and center. Loaded with chunky peanut butter, peanut butter chips, and crushed Nutter Butter cookies, these simple cookie bars will bring out the child in all of us.

Get the Nutter Butter Cookie Bars recipe.

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7

Pistachio Brownies

melted dark chocolate and cocoa powder brownies blended baked with chopped roasted pistachios and topped with homemade pistachio ganache
PHOTO: RYAN LIEBE; FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GORE

The fudgy, chewy treats are packed with melted dark chocolate and cocoa powder, then studded with chopped roasted pistachios and topped with homemade pistachio ganache. A combination of brown butter and almond extract amp up the nuttiness of the pistachio, making these the perfect snack.

Get the Pistachio Brownies recipe.

8

Chocolate Caramel Coffee Pretzel Bars

dessert bars with pretzels, coffee flavor, caramel, and chocolate
PHOTO: JULIA GARTLAND; FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GORE

Cookies usually get all the love, but dessert bars are the real sleeper hit. When the mood strikes for a salty-sweet crowd-pleaser chock-full of crunchy pretzels, gooey coffee-caramel, and chocolate, these check all the boxes.

Get the Chocolate Caramel Coffee Pretzel Bars recipe.

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9

Sweet Potato Crème Brûlée Bars

sweet potato bars with a torched sugar topping
PHOTO: RACHEL VANNI; FOOD STYLING: BROOKE CAISON

These are the best of two great desserts: For fans of classic cheesecake, there's a rich and creamy filling with a mix of sweet potato and some warm spices. For fans of decadent crème brûlée, a crackly sugar top is sure to seal the deal. These bars are for those who want to impress!

Get the Sweet Potato Crème Brûlée Bars recipe.

10

M&M Cookie Bars

mm cookie bars cut into squares
PHOTO: LUCY SCHAEFFER PHOTOGRAPHY; FOOD STYLING: BROOKE CAISON

These have all the comfort of a chocolate chip cookie, with the added crunch of M&M's and the heft of a bar shape, making for a delicious treat that’s impossible to put down. Try them with seasonal M&M's to switch them up for the holidays too.

Get the M&M Cookie Bars recipe.

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11

Cookie Butter Caramel Cheesecake Bars

cheesecake bars topped with caramel and crumbled biscoff cookies
PHOTO: RYAN LIEBE; FOOD STYLING: ADRIENNE ANDERSON

It’s a scientific fact that when you add cookie butter to something, that something becomes infinitely better. Not that cheesecake needs an upgrade, but we're definitely not opposed to the occasional zhuzhing, and these cheesecake bars are “zhuzh” in the most decadent way.

Get the Cookie Butter Caramel Cheesecake Bars recipe.

12

Cheesecake-Swirled Ghirardelli Brownies

cheesecake swirled ghirardelli brownies
Andrea monzo

These fabulous semi-homemade cheesecake-swirled brownies come together fast, and you can make them to share with a cheesecake or brownie-lover.

Get the Cheesecake-Swirled Ghirardelli Brownies recipe.

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13

French Silk Brownies

brownies topped with french silk pie
PHOTO: BRYAN GARDNER; FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GORE

Perfect for parties, potlucks, or just a cozy night in, these French silk pie-inspired brownies are a versatile treat that will impress your friends and family. The silky chocolate layer gives an elegant touch, while the brownie base keeps things casual and fun.

Get the French Silk Brownies recipe.

14

Strawberry Brownies

pink brownies topped with pink icing and strawberry hearts
PHOTO: RYAN LIEBE; FOOD STYLING: SAM SENEVIRATNE

Made from scratch with fresh strawberries and decorated with white chocolate-strawberry ganache, these beauties might sound complicated, but trust me—they’re simple!

Get the Strawberry Brownies recipe.

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15

Cranberry Crumble Cheesecake Bars

cheesecake bars topped with a layer of cranberries and a pecan crumble topping
PHOTO: ROCKY LUTEN; FOOD STYLING: TAYLOR ANN SPENCER

These bars perfectly balance creamy, rich cheesecake with the tartness of fresh cranberries and the nuttiness and warmth of a pecan streusel topping with none of the labor-intensity of traditional cheesecake.

Get the Cranberry Crumble Cheesecake Bars recipe.

16

Caramel Crunch Bars

chocolate and caramel layered dessert bars
PHOTO: JULIA GARTLAND; FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GORE

Who can resist the allure of dark chocolate, caramel, and Rice Krispies? These caramel crunch bars are a world of irresistible layers where each bite is a symphony of sweet perfection!

Get the Caramel Crunch Bars recipe.

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17

No-Bake Blackberry Cheesecake Bars

no bake blackberry cheesecake bars with graham cracker crust and blackberry topping
PHOTO: JOEL GOLDBERG; FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GORE

These no-bake cheesecake bars get a stunning, swirly topping of blackberries that looks more like art than dessert. Bonus: The cheesecake itself is tart and fluffy with the creamiest texture.

Get the No-Bake Blackberry Cheesecake Bars recipe.

18

Spiced Hot Chocolate Brownies

frosted hot chocolate brownies with a spice mix dusting on top
PHOTO: ERIK BERNSTEIN; FOOD STYLING: ADRIENNE ANDSERON

Mexican hot chocolate is very much unique. It’s rich in chocolate, not too sweet, and the added spices will surprise yet comfort you. Inspired by that classic drink, these brownies are reminiscent of those iconic flavors with a little something extra.

Get the Spiced Hot Chocolate Brownies recipe.

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19

Rainbow Vanilla Cheesecake Bars

rainbow vanilla cheesecake bars
PARKER FEIERBACH

Don't be shy with that food coloring for these rainbow bars! The more vibrant the colors are in the batter, the more impressive the bars will turn out post-bake.

Get the Rainbow Vanilla Cheesecake Bars recipe.

20

Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars

chocolate chip cookie bars
PHOTO: ANDREW BUI; FOOD STYLING: DREW AICHELE

If you're looking for an easy treat with a nostalgic taste, how about everyone’s all-time favorite cookie but in bar form? No rolling or scooping little balls, no multiple sheet pans, AND you can store them right in the pan you baked them in.

Get the Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars recipe.

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