Brownie Bars with Chocolate Coating

These fudgy, rich brownies are cooled, cut into bars, and coated in a hard chocolate shell, creating a decadent treat that tastes like it came straight from a bakery.

Chocolate-Covered Brownie Bars

Ingredients

For the Fudgy Brownies

• Unsalted butter – ½ cup (1 stick)
• Granulated sugar – 1½ cups
• Large eggs – 2
• Vanilla extract – 1 teaspoon
• All-purpose flour – ¾ cup
• Unsweetened cocoa powder – ½ cup
• Salt – ½ teaspoon
• Optional: chocolate chips or chopped nuts – ½ cup

For the Chocolate Coating

• Semi-sweet or dark chocolate, chopped – 8 ounces
• Coconut oil – 1 teaspoon (optional, for glossiness)

Instructions

1. Prepare the Brownie Base:
   Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8×8 or 9×9-inch pan with parchment paper, leaving overhang on two sides. Melt the butter and stir in sugar. Add eggs and vanilla until smooth. In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa powder, and salt. Fold the dry mixture into the wet until just combined. Stir in optional chocolate chips or nuts if desired.
2. Bake:
   Spread batter evenly in the pan. Bake 25–30 minutes for a 9×9-inch pan or 30–35 minutes for an 8×8-inch pan, until the center is set but slightly soft.
3. Cool Completely:
   Let brownies cool in the pan on a wire rack. Cold brownies make for clean slices.
4. Slice:
   Use the parchment overhang to lift the slab out of the pan. Cut into bars or squares.
5. Dip in Chocolate:
   Melt chocolate using a double boiler or microwave. Stir in coconut oil if using. Dip each brownie piece, letting excess chocolate drip off, and place on parchment to set.
6. Chill & Serve:
   Refrigerate for 10–15 minutes until chocolate hardens. Serve at room temperature or chilled.