Symphony Bars - I revamped this recipe to use a stripped-down version of my favorite blondies as the base, then topped with broken-up Symphony chocolate bars and spread until they melt!

I revamped this old recipe to use my favorite plain blondie recipe as a base, then topped with melted Hershey’s Symphony bars.

Symphony Bars - I revamped this recipe to use a stripped-down version of my favorite blondies as the base, then topped with broken-up Symphony chocolate bars and spread until they melt!

Have you heard of Symphony Bars?

Amazingly, I had never heard of them before receiving an email from a reader, Cathy, who shared her recipe with me but said she found the base layer to be dry and wondered if I could improve upon them. When I Googled “symphony bars”, I found no shortage of recipes, and realized how in the dark I had been! Which is such a shame because oh my gosh, these are amazing!

I went ahead and did some troubleshooting of the base, and came up with an awesome bottom layer to support that top layer of melted chocolate. You’re going to LOVE these!

Symphony Bars - I revamped this recipe to use a stripped-down version of my favorite blondies as the base, then topped with broken-up Symphony chocolate bars and spread until they melt!

The original recipe for the base layer had butter, sugar, flour, egg and vanilla, with no leavening – sort of a soft shortbread. I wanted to make it more moist and chewy, but in keeping with the lack of leavening, I didn’t want anything too fluffy or cake-like.

My answer?

A stripped-down version of my favorite blondie recipe. It’s super chewy, light but not cakey, and is a great complement to the melted Symphony chocolate bars that adorn the top.

Symphony Bars - I revamped this recipe to use a stripped-down version of my favorite blondies as the base, then topped with broken-up Symphony chocolate bars and spread until they melt!

The verdict?

I love, love, LOVE these! Such a simple but amazing combination of a soft, chewy cookie with a slight toffee flavor adorned with a layer of amazing milk chocolate. These are an easy treat to whip up spur of the moment, so keep it on hand if last-minute visitors are stopping by, or you have a hankering for something sweet.

Symphony Bars - I revamped this recipe to use a stripped-down version of my favorite blondies as the base, then topped with broken-up Symphony chocolate bars and spread until they melt!

Three years ago: Toasted Coconut Dark Chocolate Chunk Ice Cream
Four years ago: Filled Raisin Cookies
Nine years ago: Egg Muffins

Symphony Bars

I revamped this old recipe to use my favorite blondie recipe as a base, then topped with melted Hershey's Symphony bars.
4.75 (4 ratings)

Ingredients

  • 1½ cups (187.5 g) all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon (0.5 teaspoon) salt
  • 12 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted and cooled
  • 1½ cups (330 g) light brown sugar
  • 2 eggs, lightly beaten
  • 4 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 14 ounce (396.89 g) Symphony Bars, broken into small pieces

Instructions 

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line a 9x13-inch baking with foil, allowing overhang on all edges. Spray the foil-lined pan with non-stick cooking spray.
  • In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
  • In a large bowl, whisk the melted butter and brown sugar together in until combined. Add the eggs and vanilla and mix well. Using a rubber spatula, fold the dry ingredients into the butter mixture until just combined; do not overmix. Turn the batter into prepared pan, smoothing it into an even layer with a rubber spatula (it will be a thin layer).
  • Bake until the top is shiny and light golden brown, 22 to 25 minutes; do not overbake. Immediately after removing from the oven, sprinkle with broken up Symphony bars all over the surface and let sit for 1 minute. Using an offset spatula, begin to spread the chocolate; it will continue to melt as you spread it around. Once all of the chocolate has melted, smooth into an even layer.
  • Cool on a wire rack to room temperature. Gently touch the chocolate - if it is still soft and not set, refrigerate for 15 to 30 minutes to allow it to firm up. Remove the bars from the pan an cut into squares. The bars can be stored in an air-tight container for up to 5 days. If your home is warm, store them in the refrigerator.

Notes

Note: The recipe I received called for two 7-ounce bars, but I couldn't find any that big at my grocery store, so I bought four 4.25-ounce bars. There are a couple different varieties of bars (almond, toffee, etc.), but I went with straight creamy milk chocolate.
Nutritional values are based on one serving
Calories: 226kcal, Carbohydrates: 30g, Protein: 1g, Fat: 11g, Saturated Fat: 6g, Cholesterol: 32mg, Sodium: 116mg, Potassium: 50mg, Sugar: 23g, Vitamin A: 195IU, Calcium: 24mg, Iron: 0.5mg

Did you make this recipe?

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