Hello, Good News! Welcome to another article where we share with you some of the best recipes for your sweet tooth. Today, we are going to talk about dump bars, a simple and easy dessert that you can make with just a few ingredients and a lot of creativity. Dump bars are also known as dump cake bars, dump brownies, or dump blondies, depending on the flavor and texture you prefer. They are called dump bars because you literally dump all the ingredients in a bowl, mix them together, spread them in a baking pan, and bake them until they are done. No need for fancy equipment or complicated steps. Just dump and bake!
Dump bars are perfect for using up any leftover candies you have in your pantry, or for making a fun treat for your kids and friends. You can customize your dump bars with whatever candies you like, such as M&M’s, chocolate chips, butterscotch chips, peanut butter cups, marshmallows, nuts, pretzels, and more. The possibilities are endless! In this article, we will show you how to make dump bars with some of the most popular candies, and give you some tips and tricks to make them even more delicious. Let’s get started!
What You Need to Make Dump Bars
The Basic Ingredients
The basic ingredients for making dump bars are very simple and common. You probably already have them in your kitchen. Here is what you need:
- Butter: You will need melted butter to moisten the batter and give it a rich flavor. You can use salted or unsalted butter, depending on your preference.
- Brown sugar: You will need brown sugar to sweeten the batter and give it a caramelized taste. You can use light or dark brown sugar, depending on how deep you want the flavor to be.
- Eggs: You will need eggs to bind the batter and give it structure. Make sure they are at room temperature for better mixing.
- Vanilla extract: You will need vanilla extract to add some flavor and aroma to the batter. You can also use other extracts, such as almond, lemon, or coconut, if you want to change things up.
- All-purpose flour: You will need all-purpose flour to provide the base for the batter and give it some body. You can also use other flours, such as whole wheat, oat, or gluten-free, if you have dietary restrictions or preferences.
- Baking powder: You will need baking powder to help the batter rise and create a fluffy texture. Make sure it is fresh and not expired.
- Salt: You will need salt to balance the sweetness of the batter and enhance the flavors of the other ingredients.
The Fun Ingredients
The fun ingredients for making dump bars are the candies that you choose to add to the batter. You can use any candies you like, as long as they are not too soft or sticky that they will melt or burn in the oven. Here are some of the most popular candies that people use for making dump bars:
- M&M’s: M&M’s are colorful chocolate candies that add a pop of color and crunch to your dump bars. You can use any variety of M&M’s, such as plain, peanut, peanut butter, caramel, pretzel, crispy, or mini.
- Chocolate chips: Chocolate chips are small pieces of chocolate that melt and create pockets of gooeyness in your dump bars. You can use any type of chocolate chips, such as milk, dark, white, semi-sweet, or bittersweet.
- Butterscotch chips: Butterscotch chips are small pieces of butterscotch candy that add a sweet and buttery flavor to your dump bars. They also melt and create pockets of gooeyness like chocolate chips.
- Peanut butter cups: Peanut butter cups are chocolate candies filled with peanut butter that add a rich and nutty flavor to your dump bars. You can use any size of peanut butter cups, such as regular, mini, or bite-sized.
- Marshmallows: Marshmallows are soft and fluffy candies that add a chewy and airy texture to your dump bars. They also melt and create pockets of gooeyness like chocolate chips and butterscotch chips.
- Nuts: Nuts are crunchy and nutritious snacks that add a nutty flavor and crunch to your dump bars. You can use any type of nuts, such as pecans, walnuts, almonds, peanuts, pistachios, or cashews.
- Pretzels: Pretzels are salty and crunchy snacks that add a salty flavor and crunch to your dump bars. They also create a contrast with the sweetness of the other ingredients.
How to Make Dump Bars with Your Favorite Candies
Step 1: Preheat the Oven and Prepare the Pan
The first step to making dump bars is to preheat the oven and prepare the pan. You will need to preheat the oven to 375 degrees F, or 190 degrees C, and line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper. Make sure the ends of the parchment paper extend up the sides of the pan, so you can easily lift the bars out later. You can also grease the parchment paper with some cooking spray or butter, to prevent sticking.
Step 2: Dump All the Dry Ingredients in a Large Bowl
The second step to making dump bars is to dump all the dry ingredients in a large bowl. You will need to dump 2 cups of white sugar, 1 3/4 cups of all-purpose flour, 1/2 cup of unsweetened cocoa powder, 1 teaspoon of baking powder, and 1 teaspoon of salt in a large bowl. You can use a whisk to mix them well and break up any lumps. This is your dump bar batter.
Step 3: Dump All the Wet Ingredients in Another Bowl
The third step to making dump bars is to dump all the wet ingredients in another bowl. You will need to dump 1 cup of melted butter, 5 eggs, and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract in another bowl. You can use a fork or a whisk to beat them well until smooth and combined. This is your dump bar liquid.
Step 4: Dump the Liquid into the Batter and Mix Well
The fourth step to making dump bars is to dump the liquid into the batter and mix well. You will need to pour the dump bar liquid over the dump bar batter and use a wooden spoon or a spatula to stir them well until moistened and no dry spots remain. This is your dump bar mixture.
Step 5: Dump Half of Your Candies into the Mixture and Stir Well
The fifth step to making dump bars is to dump half of your candies into the mixture and stir well. You will need to choose your favorite candies and measure about 2 cups of them in total. You can use any combination of candies you like, such as M&M’s, chocolate chips, butterscotch chips, peanut butter cups, marshmallows, nuts, pretzels, or more. You will need to dump half of your candies into the dump bar mixture and use a wooden spoon or a spatula to stir them well until evenly distributed.
Step 6: Dump the Mixture into the Pan and Spread Evenly
The sixth step to making dump bars is to dump the mixture into the pan and spread evenly. You will need to transfer the dump bar mixture into the prepared baking pan and use a wooden spoon or a spatula to spread it evenly over the bottom and up the sides of the pan. Make sure there are no gaps or holes in the mixture.
Step 7: Dump the Remaining Candies on Top and Press Lightly
The seventh step to making dump bars is to dump the remaining candies on top and press lightly. You will need to sprinkle the remaining candies over the top of the dump bar mixture and use your fingers or a spatula to press them lightly into the surface. This will make your dump bars look more attractive and tasty.
Step 8: Bake for 20-25 Minutes Until Done
The eighth step to making dump bars is to bake for 20-25 minutes until done. You will need to place the baking pan in the preheated oven and bake for about 20-25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs. Do not overbake your dump bars, or they will become dry and hard.
Step 9: Let Them Cool Completely on a Wire Rack
The ninth step to making dump bars is to let them cool completely on a wire rack. You will need to remove the baking pan from the oven and let it cool slightly on a wire rack for about 10 minutes. Then, you will need to use the overhanging parchment paper to lift the bars out of the pan and place them on another wire rack to cool completely for about an hour. This will make your dump bars easier to cut and serve.
A Table Breakdown of Dump Bars
To help you understand more about dump bars, here is a table breakdown of some of their features:
||Feature|Description|
|—|—|
|Name|Dump bars|
|Origin|Unknown, but possibly from the United States|
|Type|Dessert|
|Main ingredients|Butter, brown sugar, eggs, vanilla extract, all-purpose flour, baking powder, salt, and various candies|
|Variations|Dump cake bars, dump brownies, dump blondies, etc.|
|Cooking method|Baking|
|Serving temperature|Room temperature or warm|
|Serving suggestions|With whipped cream, ice cream, chocolate sauce, caramel sauce, etc.|
|Nutritional value|High in calories, fat, sugar, and carbohydrates; low in protein and fiber; may contain nuts and gluten|
FAQs About Dump Bars
What are dump bars?
Dump bars are a simple and easy dessert that you can make with just a few ingredients and a lot of creativity. They are called dump bars because you literally dump all the ingredients in a bowl, mix them together, spread them in a baking pan, and bake them until they are done. No need for fancy equipment or complicated steps. Just dump and bake!
How do you make dump bars?
You can make dump bars by following these basic steps:
- Preheat the oven and prepare the pan.
- Dump all the dry ingredients in a large bowl.
- Dump all the wet ingredients in another bowl.
- Dump the liquid into the batter and mix well.
- Dump half of your candies into the mixture and stir well.
- Dump the mixture into the pan and spread evenly.
- Dump the remaining candies on top and press lightly.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes until done.
- Let them cool completely on a wire rack.
What kind of candies can you use for dump bars?
You can use any kind of candies you like for dump bars, as long as they are not too soft or sticky that they will melt or burn in the oven. Some of the most popular candies that people use for dump bars are M&M’s, chocolate chips, butterscotch chips, peanut butter cups, marshmallows, nuts, pretzels, and more. You can use any combination of candies you like, or experiment with different flavors and textures.
How do you cut dump bars?
You can cut dump bars by following these tips:
- Let them cool completely before cutting. This will make them easier to cut and serve.
- Use a sharp knife to cut them into even pieces. You can use a ruler or a toothpick to mark where you want to cut them.
- Clean the knife after each cut. This will prevent the candies from sticking to the knife and making a mess.
- Store the cut pieces in an airtight container at room temperature or in the refrigerator for up to a week.
How do you store dump bars?
You can store dump bars by following these tips:
- Store them in an airtight container at room temperature or in the refrigerator for up to a week.
- Freeze them in an airtight container or a freezer bag for up to 3 months. Thaw them at room temperature before serving.
- Microwave them for 10-15 seconds to warm them up before serving.
Are dump bars gluten-free?
Dump bars are not gluten-free unless you use gluten-free flour and gluten-free candies. You can also check the labels of the other ingredients to make sure they are gluten-free. If you have celiac disease or gluten intolerance, you should consult your doctor before eating dump bars.
Are dump bars vegan?
Dump bars are not vegan unless you use vegan butter, vegan sugar, vegan eggs, vegan vanilla extract, vegan flour, vegan baking powder, vegan salt, and vegan candies. You can also check the labels of the other ingredients to make sure they are vegan. If you are vegan or follow a plant-based diet, you should consult your nutritionist before eating dump bars.
Are dump bars healthy?
Dump bars are not healthy unless you use healthy alternatives for some of the ingredients. For example, you can use coconut oil instead of butter, coconut sugar instead of brown sugar, flax eggs instead of eggs, almond extract instead of vanilla extract, almond flour instead of all-purpose flour, baking soda instead of baking powder, sea salt instead of table salt, and dark chocolate chips instead of milk chocolate chips. You can also use less sugar and less candies, or add some fruits or oats to the mixture. However, dump bars are still high in calories, fat, sugar, and carbohydrates, and low in protein and fiber, so you should eat them in moderation and as an occasional treat.
Can you make dump bars in a slow cooker?
You can make dump bars in a slow cooker by following these steps:
- Grease the inside of the slow cooker with some cooking spray or butter.
- Prepare the dump bar mixture as usual, but use only half of the candies.
- Dump the mixture into the slow cooker and spread evenly.
- Sprinkle the remaining candies on top and press lightly.
- Cover the slow cooker with a lid and cook on low for 3-4 hours or on high for 2-3 hours, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs.
- Turn off the slow cooker and let it cool slightly before serving.
Can you make dump bars in a microwave?
You can make dump bars in a microwave by following these steps:
- Grease a microwave-safe dish with some cooking spray or butter.
- Prepare the dump bar mixture as usual, but use only half of the candies.
- Dump the mixture into the dish and spread evenly.
- Sprinkle the remaining candies on top and press lightly.
- Microwave on high for 10-15 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs. You may need to adjust the time depending on your microwave power and size of your dish.
- Let it cool slightly before serving.
Can you make dump bars with cake mix?
You can make dump bars with cake mix by following these steps:
- Preheat the oven and prepare the pan.
- Dump one box of cake mix of your choice in a large bowl. You can use any flavor you like, such as chocolate, vanilla, lemon, carrot, etc.
- Dump 1/2 cup of melted butter and 2 eggs in another bowl. Beat them well until smooth and combined.
- Dump the liquid into the cake mix and mix well. You may need to use your hands to knead the dough until it is smooth and no dry spots remain.
- Dump half of your candies into the dough and mix well.
- Dump the dough into the pan and spread evenly.
- Dump the remaining candies on top and press lightly.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes until done.
- Let them cool completely on a wire rack.
Conclusion
We hope you enjoyed this article about dump bars, a simple and easy dessert that you can make with just a few ingredients and a lot of creativity. Dump bars are perfect for using up any leftover candies you have in your pantry, or for making a fun treat for your kids and friends. You can customize your dump bars with whatever candies you like, such as M&M’s, chocolate chips, butterscotch chips, peanut butter cups, marshmallows, nuts, pretzels, and more. The possibilities are endless!
If you liked this article, please share it with your friends and family who love sweets. Also, don’t forget to check out our other articles where we share more delicious recipes for your sweet tooth. Thank you for reading!