21 Sweet, Simple, and Totally Irresistible Dessert Bars & Brownies

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Brownies and bars: because who has time for fussy desserts when you can have pure, handheld bliss? Whether you’re in the mood for ultra-fudgy Flourless Brownies, nostalgic Cosmic Brownies, or the gooey goodness of Magic Bars (only 6 ingredients!), this lineup is about to make your sweet tooth very happy. Love a little zing? Vibrant Lime Bars and Lemon Sugar Cookie Bars bring the citrusy punch. Want something extra indulgent? Salted Butterscotch Blondies and Snickers Brownies are here to deliver. Grab your baking pan and prepare for irresistible, no-fork-required deliciousness!

Air Fryer Brownies

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how to make air fryer brownies.
Photo credit: The Big Man’s World

Craving a brownie but short on time? These air fryer brownies are the answer! They’re fudgy, gooey, and surprisingly made without butter, milk, or eggs, making them a delicious and allergy-friendly treat.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Brownies

Vibrant Lime Bars

lime bars on a plate
Photo credit: Ambitious Kitchen

These vibrant lime bars feature a delicious shortbread base and a perfectly sweet and tart lime custard filling. This recipe is easy to make gluten-free and dairy-free, so everyone can enjoy them! Top with powdered sugar and lime zest for an extra touch.
Get the Recipe: Vibrant Lime Bars

Banana Brownies

Stack of three banana brownies.
Photo credit: Sugar Spun Run

These banana brownies are the perfect way to use up ripe bananas! This recipe requires only one bowl and 15 minutes of prep time. Enjoy a batch of these moist and chocolatey treats!
Get the Recipe: Banana Brownies

Brown Butter Blondies Recipe

close up of brown butter blondies sprinkled with flakey sea salt
Photo credit: Heather Mubarak creator of Browned Butter Blondie

These Brown Butter Blondies are chewy, gooey, and full of caramel flavor. This easy one-bowl recipe is made in under an hour with just 7 simple ingredients. They’re a guaranteed fan favorite for any occasion!
Get the Recipe: Brown Butter Blondies Recipe

Cosmic Brownie Recipe

Squares of chocolate frosted brownies made from a cosmic brownie recipe.
Photo credit: Sugar Spun Run

If you love cosmic brownies, you have to try this recipe! This copycat recipe tastes just like the real thing, and it’s so easy to make. Get ready to enjoy a batch of these rich, chocolatey brownies that are perfect for any occasion.
Get the Recipe: Cosmic Brownie Recipe

Snickerdoodle Cheesecake Bars

snickerdoodle cheesecake bars sliced and stacked
Photo credit: The Cookie Rookie

These Snickerdoodle Cheesecake Bars are a delightful twist on classic desserts! Combining the comforting flavors of snickerdoodles with the creamy richness of cheesecake, these bars are sure to be a crowd-pleaser. With a pre-made sugar cookie dough crust and cinnamon baking chips, they’re both easy to make and incredibly delicious.
Get the Recipe: Snickerdoodle Cheesecake Bars

Flourless Brownies

stack of flourless brownies
Photo credit: Sugar Spun Run

These flourless brownies are the perfect dessert for anyone looking for a rich, chocolatey treat! This recipe uses simple ingredients to create a fudge-like brownie with a crackly top. Plus, they’re gluten-free!
Get the Recipe: Flourless Brownies

Fudgy Sweet Potato Brownies (V/GF)

Stack of Sweet Potato Brownies topped with chocolate chips, pecans, and vanilla ice cream
Photo credit: Minimalist Baker

These fudgy sweet potato brownies are a decadent treat that you can feel good about! This vegan and gluten-free recipe uses simple ingredients like sweet potato puree, almond butter, and cocoa powder for a rich, chocolatey flavor. Top with your favorite vegan ice cream for an extra special dessert.
Get the Recipe: Fudgy Sweet Potato Brownies (V/GF)

German Chocolate Brownies

German Chocolate Brownies cooling on a cooling rack.
Photo credit: House of Nash Eats

These German Chocolate Brownies are the perfect combination of rich, fudgy chocolate and a sweet, nutty topping. The brownies are made with bittersweet chocolate and cocoa powder, then topped with a caramel coconut-pecan mixture that will melt in your mouth. This recipe is sure to be a crowd-pleaser!
Get the Recipe: German Chocolate Brownies

Lemon Bars

Lemon bars cut into squares on a baking sheet.
Photo credit: Culinary Hill

These Lemon Bars are the perfect balance of tart and sweet, guaranteed to brighten anyone’s day. Made with fresh lemon juice and zest, these bar cookies are a delightful treat. Each bite is a burst of sunshine!
Get the Recipe: Lemon Bars

Magic Bars (only 6 ingredients!)

Stack of Magic Cookie Bars with 7 layers.
Photo credit: Cooking Classy

These Magic Cookie Bars are one of the easiest desserts you can make! With only 6 ingredients, they’re layered with a buttery graham cracker base, chocolate chips, coconut, and sweetened condensed milk. This recipe is perfect for a quick treat or a simple dessert to share.
Get the Recipe: Magic Bars (only 6 ingredients!)

Salted Butterscotch Blondies

butterscotch blondie with a bite taken from it
Photo credit: Sally’s Baking Recipes

These salted butterscotch blondies are the perfect simple dessert! They’re dense and chewy, and the brown butter and butterscotch morsels create a delicious flavor combination. Top with sea salt for an extra touch of flavor.
Get the Recipe: Salted Butterscotch Blondies

Fresh Cranberry Shortbread Bars

Stacked cranberry shortbread bars.
Photo credit: House of Nash Eats

These Fresh Cranberry Shortbread Bars are the perfect addition to your holiday dessert spread! Buttery shortbread is topped with tart cranberries, white chocolate, and macadamia nuts for a sweet and festive treat. These bars are sure to be a crowd-pleaser at Thanksgiving or Christmas.
Get the Recipe: Fresh Cranberry Shortbread Bars

Caramel Apple Oatmeal Carmelita Bars

Caramel Apple Oatmeal Carmelita Bars- layers of chewy oatmeal cookie surround cinnamon-spiced apples and caramel sauce. A delicious fall treat!
Photo credit: Baking a Moment

These Caramel Apple Oatmeal Carmelita Bars are a delicious twist on a classic treat. The buttery caramel, cinnamon-spiced apples, and chewy oatmeal cookie crust make them the perfect fall dessert. They’re great for holidays, parties, or any time you want a comforting and delicious snack.
Get the Recipe: Caramel Apple Oatmeal Carmelita Bars

Crunchy Peanut Butter Granola Bars

Parchment-lined baking pan with our gluten-free vegan Peanut Butter Granola Bars
Photo credit: Minimalist Baker

These crunchy peanut butter granola bars are the perfect snack to brighten your day. Made with simple ingredients like oats, nuts, and sweetened with maple syrup and dates, they’re also gluten-free, vegan, and refined sugar-free. Enjoy a batch of these for a quick breakfast, snack, or healthy dessert.
Get the Recipe: Crunchy Peanut Butter Granola Bars

Pumpkin Streusel Bars

pumpkin streusel bars with vanilla icing
Photo credit: Sally’s Baking Recipes

Move over, pumpkin pie! These pumpkin streusel bars feature a gingersnap crust, creamy pumpkin filling, and a brown sugar streusel topping. They’re easy to make and are sure to be a hit at any fall gathering.
Get the Recipe: Pumpkin Streusel Bars

Walnut Brownies

Close-up of freshly baked brownies with walnuts, neatly arranged in a paper-lined tray. The rich, dark chocolate surface is interspersed with golden walnut pieces, creating a textured and appetizing appearance.
Photo credit: The Big Man’s World

These walnut brownies by The Big Man’s World are the perfect dessert for any chocolate lover! They’re ultra fudgy, gooey, and packed with chocolate chips and crunchy walnuts. Plus, they’re gluten-free and ready in under 30 minutes!
Get the Recipe: Walnut Brownies

Brownies From Scratch

a stack 4 of homemade brownies topped with ice cream and chocolate sauce on a white plate.
Photo credit: The Cookie Rookie

These brownies from scratch are super dense, moist, and rich, making them the perfect homemade treat. Baking them is easy, and the recipe includes options for adding your favorite nuts. Enjoy these decadent brownies for a satisfying dessert!
Get the Recipe: Brownies from Scratch

Blueberry Crumb Bars

stack of 5 blueberry bars on white plate
Photo credit: Cooking Classy

These blueberry bars are ridiculously easy to make, and the juicy berries take them to a whole new level of delicious. Definitely one of my favorite ways to use fresh blueberries!
Get the Recipe: Blueberry Crumb Bars

About Jenny deRemer

I am a Charleston, South Carolina-based culinary novice, an ardent authority on all things travel, a designer by trade, and the creator of Not Entirely Average. I have a weakness for farmers' markets, delight in adventures way off the beaten path, enjoy documenting my many moods through photography, and have been known to conquer the occasional yard sale with gusto!

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