Tootsie Roll Bars

These Tootsie Roll Bars take feature an oatmeal cookie type base flooded with a fudgy Tootsie Roll like ganache.  Decadence at it’s finest!

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Original content posted July 2018.  Updated March 2021.

I had completely forgotten about this Tootsie Roll Bars recipe until I was scavenging through my mom’s recipe box last month and ran across the handwritten recipe card from a family friend and neighbor.  It took me less than a second to know that I needed to snap a photo of said recipe card so that I could make them as soon as I returned to my own kitchen.

Let me first set the record straight.  These Tootsie Roll Bars contain no actual Tootsie Roll candy.  None.  Zero.  Zilch.  Zip.  Nada.  You get my point.  Instead, I’m guessing that these squares of deliciousness got their name from the ganache-like layer of fudgy goodness that’s sandwiched between an oatmeal cookie type base with additional batter dropped over the ganache. 

The end result is definitely worthy of any get together, potluck or holiday gathering.  In fact, I believe I first enjoyed these bars at a church function.

Now that we’ve got that straightened out, let me tell you why you should head to the kitchen right now to make a pan of these Tootsie Roll Bars.  I’ve made two changes to the original recipe and I think you’ll agree I’m on to something. 

First, I switched out the type of pan used to create them.  The original recipe called for a Texas sheet pan and I made the call to swap it out for a more typical 9″ x 13″ baking pan you most certainly already have.  The end result is a thicker bar that is most definitely worthy of any bakery you could step foot in.

Second swap?  Instead of semi-sweet chocolate, I decided to use dark chocolate chunks for the ganache like filling.  A truly decadently delicious choice that I’m still patting my self on the back for.  No more cloyingly sweet center. 

Instead, a less sweet but super chocolatey center becomes the scene stealer of these bars due to the higher amount of cocoa found in dark chocolate.  I typically use the bags of dark chocolate chunks found at Whole Foods but definitely use this as an opportunity to experiment and find your favorite!

I’ve since learned that this type of recipe is also sometimes referred to as a Revel Bar, but I just couldn’t bring myself to swap out the name.  These Tootsie Roll Bars take just 15 minutes to prepare, yet will feed a crowd easily.  I note that there are 15 servings per recipe, but those make pretty large bars.  Unless I’m feeling super indulgent, I will typically cut each of those servings in half as I find it’s the perfect size.

Fans of easy dessert bar recipes will also easily fall in love with my Fudgy Black Forest Bars, scene stealing Chocolate Caramel Pretzel Bars and over the top Snickerdoodle Cheesecake Brownie Bars.

How to Make Tootsie Roll Bars

[1]  In a small saucepan over low heat, melt butter.

[2]  In the bowl of an electric mixer, add butter and brown sugar.

[3]  Mix on medium speed until fully incorporated.

[4]  Add eggs and vanilla to bowl.

[5]  Mix on medium speed until combined.

[6]  Add flour, baking soda, salt and oats to mixing bowl.

[7]  Mix together on low speed until just combined.

[8]  Spread 2/3 of bar mixture into an even layer on the bottom of a greased 9″ x 13″ baking pan.

[9]  In a small, add sweetened condensed milk, chocolate chunks, butter and vanilla.

[10]  Heat over low heat, stirring occasionally, until melted and smooth.

[11]  Spread ganache in an even layer over bar mixture.

[12]  Drop remaining bar mixture by the spoonful over ganache.  Bake at 350 degrees for 20-25 minutes or until the tops of the cookie mixture are golden brown.

If you’ve tried these Tootsie Roll Bars or any other recipe on Melanie Makes, please let me know your thoughts in the comments below.  I love hearing from you and respond to each and every comment!

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4.67 from 15 votes

Tootsie Roll Bars

These Tootsie Roll Bars take just 15 minutes to prepare and are perfect for your next potluck, family gathering or holiday yet so delicious, you'll find yourself making them on a weekday just to get your fix!  An oatmeal cookie type base is flooded with a fudgy Tootsie Roll like ganache that's then covered with additional dollops of the base mixture.  Decadence at it's finest!

Prep Time15 mins

Cook Time25 mins

Total Time40 mins

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Servings: 15

Calories: 551kcal

Author: Melanie Bauer | Melanie Makes

Ingredients

Bars

• 1 cup butter melted
• 2 cups brown sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 2-1/2 cups flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 3 cups old fashioned oats

Tootsie Roll Ganache

• 14 ounces sweetened condensed milk
• 12 ounces dark chocolate chunks
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1 teaspoon vanilla

Instructions

Bars

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
• In the bowl of an electric mixer, add butter and brown sugar and mix until well combined.
• Add eggs and vanilla and mix together.
• Add flour, baking soda, salt and oats and mix until just combined.
• Spread 2/3 of bar mixture into an even layer on the bottom of a greased 9x13 pan.

Tootsie Roll Ganache

• In a small saucepan over low heat, add sweetened condensed milk, chocolate chunks, butter and vanilla.
• Stir together until melted and smooth.
• Spread ganache in an even layer over bar mixture.
• Drop remaining bar mixture by the spoonful over ganache.
• Bake for 20-25 minutes or until golden.

Nutrition

Calories: 551kcal | Carbohydrates: 72g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 26g | Saturated Fat: 15g | Cholesterol: 68mg | Sodium: 286mg | Potassium: 345mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 51g | Vitamin A: 540IU | Vitamin C: 0.7mg | Calcium: 130mg | Iron: 2.9mg