You guys! How sticking cute, fun, and delicious do these bars look and sound. Chocolate fudge pop tarts will always hold a special spot in my memories. I didn’t eat a lot of them growing up, but on the rare occasion when we had them in the house, I remember each pop tart being such a treat. We’d eat them straight out of the package. But, when we had a few extra minutes, I remember a toasted warm chocolate fudge pop tart being the BEST thing ever. Pop those guys in the toaster and eat ’em hot. I mean, so delicious.
I made homemade chocolate fudge pop tarts years ago, but while that recipe is delicious, it’s more tedious and time-consuming than I would like. Last year I made a giant strawberry pop tart and that recipe lead me to create these pop tart bars. Essentially the same thing, just formed into a bar instead of a tart. The directions may seem lengthy, but I promise, the bars are easier than you’d thing to make and they’re worth all the effort. I can’t get over how delicious these are! We just love them.
Here Are The Steps
Step 1: make the fudge sauce This is my go-to fudge sauce. A mix of mini chocolate chips, cocoa powder, milk, and vanilla. I like to simmer the milk on the stove until it’s very steamy, then pour the hot milk over the chocolate and whisk everything until all the chocolate is melted. Then mix in some butter and vanilla.
Step 2: the cookie dough Now, the chocolate sugar cookie dough. This is very basic, butter beaten together with sugar, egg, and vanilla. Then mix in flour, unsweetened cocoa powder, and a pinch of salt.
Step 3: assemble Take the chocolate cookie dough and divide it in half. Press half the dough down into a 9×9 inch square baking dish fitted with parchment paper. Take the remaining dough and use a rolling pin to roll it out into a square that’s just larger than a 9×9 inch square. To help guide you, trace the outline of the 9×9-inch baking dish onto a sheet of parchment paper. Now roll the dough out on the parchment to just past the edges of the outline. Set this aside for a quick minute.
Spread the fudge sauce over the dough in the baking dish. Now invert the reserved sheet of dough over the fudge filling, trimming as needed to fit the dough in the pan. I like to chill the bars just to ensure they bake up nicely. 15 minutes in the freezer is perfect! Then you can bake, bake, bake!
Step 4: the frosting While the bars are cooling, make the frosting. The frosting is a mix of powdered sugar, cocoa powder, vanilla, and melted milk chocolate. Simple ingredients that when combined together are so very delicious. If you’d like a shiny, glossy finish to your pop tart bars, use a couple of teaspoons of meringue powder. Using meringue powder will give your frosting shine. It helps it to nicely set up and dry so that the frosting doesn’t smudge when touched. This step is completely optional though, it’s certainly not required.
Frost the bars and let the frosting stiffen for a few minutes, then sprinkle with pretzel salt or coarse pearl sugar. It’s delish and adds a salty crunch with every bite. Let them harden or enjoy them right away, so yummy! Each bar is flaky and extra fudgy. Everyone loves these!
Looking for other homemade versions of childhood favorites? Try some of these. Homemade Chocolate Fudge Pop Tarts Homemade Vegan Twix Bars Healthier Homemade Somoas Cookies Homemade Frosted Brown Sugar Cinnamon Pop Tarts Giant Frosted Strawberry Pop-Tart Lastly, if you make these Frosted Chocolate Fudge Pop-Tart Bars, be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love to hear from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And, of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!
