May 4: Double Chocolate Raspberry Chipotle Bars

Double Chocolate Raspberry Bars

Ingredients:
8 tablespoons (4 oz) unsalted butter
1 cup (4.5 oz) all-purpose flour
3 tablespoons unsweetened natural cocoa powder
3/4 cup old-fashioned oats
1/3 cup granulated sugar
2 tablespoons firmly packed light brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1 cup extra-dark chocolate chips
3/4 cup toasted and finely chopped walnuts or pecans
1/2 cup raspberry preserves
1/2 teaspoon chipotle powder

1. Preheat the oven to 350 and place a rack in the center. Line an 8-inch square metal pan with nonstick foil, or line with regular foil and spray with flour-added baking spray.
2. Melt the butter in the microwave or on the stovetop over low heat, then set aside to cool to room temperature. In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, cocoa powder, oats, sugars, salt and baking soda. Stir very well. Add the cooled melted butter and mix until crumbly. Stir in 2/3 cup of the chocolate chips and 1/2 cup of the nuts. Press about half of the oat mixture into the bottom of the pan.
3. Stir together the preserves and chipotle powder, then spread over the oat mixture. Crumble the remaining oat mixture over the top and gently press down. Sprinkle with the remaining chocolate chips and nuts.
4. Bake for 30-35 minutes or until set. Let cool completely, then chill for at least 1 hour. Cut into 16 bars.

Melted butter

Dry ingredients

Addition of butter

Addition of chocolate chips and walnuts (notice I didn't finely chop them)

Bottom layer

Jam and chipotle powder

Middle layer

Top layer

Before the oven...

And after the oven...basically the same picture!

Thoughts: I didn't have a 8x8 pan available so I used a 9x9. I baked it for 30 minutes to make up for the difference but I don't think it would have mattered. If I had to do it again, I would double the ingredients for the middle layer. I definitely didn't cover the middle layer as much as I would've liked to. I actually didn't like the taste of the bars and I only had one before throwing the rest out. It was kind of pastry tasting and you can definitely taste the kick of the chipotle powder. It's also very crumbly and half of the topping falls back into the pan when you go to cut a piece.