Chocolate Revel Bars
These Chocolate Revel Bars are a classic, heart-warming treat that layers a thick, buttery oat dough with a rich, fudge-like chocolate center. Inspired by traditional Amish baking, these bars are filling and satisfying without being “knock-you-down” sweet, making them a perfect companion for a cup of coffee or an afternoon snack.
A Treat Worth Keeping a Secret
Lately, I’ve finally gotten around to trying a few recipes I’ve had on my “must make” list for well over a decade; today is one of them. I first read about Revel bars shortly after I got married, when I was reading an Amish romance. I’m pretty sure it was a Beverly Lewis one. If you’ve never checked out any of her books but enjoy reading, I think you’ll be very pleased. I love it when I can read something just for the pure pleasure (not because it is required as part of my job) and come out of it with a little wisdom to add to who I am.
I don’t remember which book this was, but in the story, the main character got her family out of the house so she could make these secretly as a surprise for her mother’s birthday. I remember thinking, “Now those must be some kind of good.” I sure wasn’t disappointed.
The thing I like about them is that they are sweet in the center, but have a nice balance. Of course, with the hearty dough, they are filling as well, which is another thing I really like in my cookies and treats, because you get into a lot less trouble that way! You might also be interested in my delicious No-Bake Scotcharoos!
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Vanilla
- Brown sugar (light or dark)
- Sweetened condensed milk
- Baking soda
- Eggs
- Butter
- Salt
- Quick oats
- Chocolate chips
- Instant coffee granules (optional)
Note: I added the instant coffee part in order to help me get my recommended daily requirement of caffeine. It was delicious and just added a hint of somethin’ somethin’ to the bars, but all of the original recipes leave it out, so you just do whatever is easiest for you here. The bars will be yummy either way.
How to Make Chocolate Revel Bars
1. Cream the Base
Preheat your oven to 350°F. In a large mixing bowl, cream together your butter (minus those 2 tablespoons) and brown sugar until it’s nice and fluffy.
2. Mix the Dough
Add in your eggs, vanilla, flour, baking soda, salt, and oats. Beat the tar out of it until it’s well combined.
Once you’ve got that all creamified, add in your other dough ingredients.
Take 2/3 of this mixture and pat it into the bottom of a greased 9×13 baking dish.
3. Melt the Fudge
In a microwave-safe bowl, combine your chocolate chips, the sweetened condensed milk, the 2 tablespoons of butter you saved, and the coffee granules.
Here is a top view of the bowl, in case you just really wanted to see it.
Heat in 30-second bursts, stirring in between, until it’s smooth and dreamy.
4. Layer and Drop
Pour that chocolate goodness over your bottom crust and spread it all the way to the edges. Take the remaining 1/3 of your dough and drop little clumps of it all over the top of the chocolate. It doesn’t have to be perfect; the chocolate peeking through is what makes them look so good!
Spread that over your crust. Isn’t that pretty?
5. Bake to Golden
Pop them in the oven for 25–30 minutes. You’re looking for the oat crumbles on top to be a light, golden brown. Let them cool entirely on the counter before you start cutting.
These bars stay fresh for up to a week in an airtight container, and they actually get a little fudgier by the second day. They also travel really well and are perfect treats to send to work, school, or as gifts for friends.
Of course, you’ll need to sample a couple yourself first!
Ingredients
- 1 cup butter or margarine I use whichever I have
- 2 cups light or dark brown sugar
- 2 eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla
- 2-1/2 cups all purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 3 cups quick oats can use old fashioned
Filling:
- 14 ounce can sweetened condensed milk
- 2 cups semi sweet chocolate chips can use milk chocolate
- Optional: 1 teaspoon instant coffee granules
Instructions
- Take 2 tablespoons of butter and set aside to use in filling.
- In large mixing bowl, place remaining butter and brown sugar. Beat with an electric mixer until creamy. Add all other dough ingredients and mix again until well combined.
- Pat 2/3 of mixture into bottom of greased 9×13 pan.
- Place all filling ingredients (including the 2 tablespoons of butter you set aside in step one) in a microwave safe bowl and cook at 30 second intervals, stirring after each, until chocolate is completely melted. If adding instant coffee granules, stir well to make sure coffee granules are dissolved. Pour over crust and spread to the sides.
- Drop remaining dough in teaspoon sized drops over the chocolate.
- Bake at 350 for 25-30 minutes, or until lightly browned on top. Allow to cool completely before cutting into bars.
I’m reading your page and watching The Waltons! I’ve been recovering
from major surgery and watching a lot of INSP channel shows. This is about all
that is decent to watch! Even the previews on the main networks are R-rated!
I also watch Downton Abbey…imagine a servant dressing you every day!
I will check out the Korean shows. I’ve watched a lot of foreign movies and have grown accustomed to reading while watching.
The bars look wonderful and I will try them soon. They must be good if they
have Eagle Brand ( sweetened condenced milk) in them!
I had very little appetite after my surgery, but it is finally coming back. I’m enjoying feeling up to cooking , and I’m making a lot of your recipes…from the cookbook and your website.
Thanks for the recipes and especially for the stories and “talks”! They often point out what is truly important in life! All the stories, laced with humor, brighten so many days! God bless you!
I am so glad to hear that you are enjoying the recipes Wanda! I hope you feel better soon!!
Today is my husband and my 43rd wedding anniversary. I’ve made a nice dinner and the Revel Bars are in the oven for dessert!!
I just know he had a wonderful birthday, thanks to such a thoughtful wife!!
Christy,
Tried the drop biscuits. Wasn’t sure if my flour was self-rising or not. Did some self analysis and deduced that it must be self-rising. Why would I ever buy anything that required an extra step? (Being a lazy bum, you see).
Was wrong, heaven knows why, and the drop biscuits turned out be “drop and spread”.
Really writing regarding Korean TV. Love K-Dramas and began with an historical series called Jewel in the Palace based on the true story of a lowly born girl in the ridgidly class conscious and male dominated society of the Chosun Dynasty of 500 years ago who worked her way up to becoming the first woman royal physician. Fascinating, gripping, and so colorful!
One of her steps on the way up was as an apprentice in the royal kitchen. You would probably appreciate seeing the preparation and presentation of the royal meals. There are also frequent cooking competitions in the course of intruction of the apprentices and these are delightful to see too..
I watch K-Drams series, shows, and movies via Viki.com, a company started by two former Korean students at MIT and Stanford. They were enthusiastic about popular Korean T.V. shows and wanted a way to share them with their American friends. Their company finds other bilingual viewers who form groups that watch popular shows and movies and within 24 hours provide sub-titles for them.
Now Viki has expanded to other countries. It obtains the rights to popular shows all over the world (quite cheaply, since they are not competing, but rather expanding viewership) and re-broadcasts them with subtitles. Through Viki I’ve vicariously traveled to Turkey, Venezuela, Russia, and Iran, among other places. Korea is a favorite though. I encourage you to check out Viki.com.
Thank you for the recommendation Buck!! Will definitely check it out!!
These really look good and easy to make, will definitely be baking soon. I have a recipe that is sorta kinda like this in preparation but you use raspberry preserves for the filling and they have chopped pecans in them also..mmm mmm!!
I was born and raised in Ohio where there are a lot of Amish families. I have had furniture refinished by them, bought their furniture and can’t pass on one of their baked good sales.
I hope you enjoy the bars Karen!!
Looking forward to trying this one!
I hope you enjoy Lucy!
So glad to see your recipe for Revel Bars! My grandma made these as a treat for me once in a blue moon when I was small (her folks were Mennonite) but she never wrote it down. I baked a batch today, and these bars are delicious! Husband’s coworkers are gonna love these! 🙂
Oh my goodness, I am so glad you liked the recipe CL!
Mmm… Coffee and chocolate- my two favorite things! I’ll have to find an occasion to try these!
My cousin’s husband’s sister writes Amish romance novels. I can’t remember her name, though. I’m sure my mother knows it.
There are some good American TV shows, but they tend to be grittier, not family fare! That hasn’t been “in” for about 20 years it seems.
You are right Sonya, it has been years since family television was the “in” thing. If you find out her name please let me know! Hope you enjoy the bars!
I finally remembered to ask my mother the name of my cousin’s husband’s sister who writes Amish fiction! She’s Cindy Woodsmall.
I found an occasion to make these bars. My pro-chicken activist group is having a meeting next week so I volunteered to bring some! 🙂
These sound so good, I will definitely have to try them! But my number one question is: Where did you get that beautiful enamel looking pan that is rimmed with blue? I love it, love it!
Hi Brenda! I will come back when I get a minute and leave a link to where you can find one.