Death by Chocolate Bars

Sharing is caring!

Chocolate lovers, this one’s for you. These Death by Chocolate Bars are an unapologetically rich, gooey, and indulgent dessert that will make any chocoholic swoon. Made with layers of fudgy brownie, melty chocolate chips, and a silky chocolate ganache topping, every bite delivers full-on chocolate overload in the best possible way.

The beauty of this recipe is how each layer plays a different role in the chocolate experience. The base is a chewy brownie that’s dense but tender. Next, a layer of semi-sweet chocolate chips adds melty richness and slight texture. Finally, the ganache blanket on top ties it all together with a smooth, luxurious finish.

These bars are a chocolate dream come true—the kind of treat you bake when only the most decadent dessert will do. They’re the perfect finale for dinner parties, birthdays, Valentine’s Day, or any occasion where you want to impress without getting fancy.

Even better, they’re incredibly easy to make. No mixer needed, no water bath, and minimal cleanup. Just rich, honest chocolate flavor in every square. They keep well, freeze beautifully, and taste even better the next day after the layers have had time to set.

And though they may look bakery-worthy, these bars use basic pantry ingredients. You don’t need special chocolate or hard-to-find components—just good quality cocoa, butter, and chocolate chips. The ganache comes together with just chocolate and cream. That’s it.

Because the chocolate flavor is front and center, these bars are best made with good-quality cocoa powder and chocolate chips. Choose semi-sweet for balance, but you can use dark chocolate if you want an extra kick.

Serve them chilled for a firm bite or slightly warm for a gooier texture. Either way, they’re deeply satisfying. Cut them into small squares—they’re rich enough that a little goes a long way.

The name says it all: Death by Chocolate Bars are not here to play. They’re for true chocolate fans who want their dessert bold, deep, and over-the-top indulgent.

They’re also a great make-ahead dessert. Letting them chill gives the layers time to set and the flavors time to deepen. You can even bake the brownie base a day ahead and finish with ganache when you’re ready.

You can top them with a sprinkle of flaky salt for contrast, or chopped nuts for crunch. Serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a glass of milk if you want to balance out the intensity.

Kids love them. Adults love them. Everyone who tries them asks for the recipe. These bars are a guaranteed hit for potlucks, bake sales, or just because you deserve it.

They’re the kind of dessert that turns chocolate cravings into a full-on experience.

Servings: 16 bars

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Chill Time: 1 hour (for ganache to set)
Total Time: 1 hour 50 minutes

Ingredients:

For the brownie base:

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/4 tsp salt

For the chocolate chip layer:

• 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

For the ganache topping:

• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper.
2. In a large bowl, whisk together melted butter and sugar. Add eggs and vanilla, mix until combined.
3. Stir in cocoa powder, flour, and salt until just combined. Don’t overmix.
4. Spread batter into prepared pan and smooth the top.
5. Sprinkle chocolate chips evenly over the brownie batter.
6. Bake for 30 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out with moist crumbs.
7. Let cool completely in the pan.
8. For ganache: Heat cream in a small saucepan over medium heat until it just begins to simmer. Remove from heat and pour over the chocolate chips in a bowl. Let sit for 2 minutes, then stir until smooth.
9. Pour ganache over cooled brownies and spread evenly.
10. Chill for at least 1 hour until ganache is set.
11. Slice into bars and serve.

Tips:

• Let the bars chill fully before cutting for clean slices.
• Use good-quality cocoa and chocolate chips for best flavor.
• Add a pinch of sea salt on top before chilling for contrast.
• Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 5 days.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe:

• Deep, layered chocolate flavor.
• Easy to make but tastes like bakery quality.
• Perfect balance of textures: fudgy, melty, and smooth.
• Great for gifting, parties, or freezing for later.

Death by Chocolate Bars are the ultimate dessert for chocolate lovers. With a rich brownie base, melty chocolate chips, and silky ganache topping, these bars are an indulgent, crowd-pleasing treat that’s easy to bake and impossible to resist.