Chocolate Buttermilk Squares

Name: Chocolate Buttermilk Squares
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 40 min
Yield: 15 servings.
Ingredients: 1 cup butter, cubed; 1/4 cup baking cocoa; 1 cup water; 2 cups all-purpose flour; 2 cups sugar; 1 teaspoon baking soda; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1/2 cup buttermilk; 2 large eggs, room temperature, beaten; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 3 to 4 drops red food coloring, optional; FROSTING:; 1/2 cup butter, cubed; 1/4 cup baking cocoa; 1/4 cup buttermilk; 3-3/4 cups confectioners' sugar; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; Dash salt; 3/4 cup chopped almonds, optional

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Test Kitchen Approved

Total Time

Prep: 20 min. Bake: 20 min.

Makes

15 servings

Updated: Apr. 22, 2022

Every time I take these squares to a potluck, my pan comes back clean. At home, they vanish as fast as I make them. —Clarice Baker, Stromsburg, Nebraska

Ingredients

1 cup butter, cubed
1/4 cup baking cocoa
1 cup water
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 cups sugar
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup buttermilk
2 large eggs, room temperature, beaten
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 to 4 drops red food coloring, optional
FROSTING:
1/2 cup butter, cubed
1/4 cup baking cocoa
1/4 cup buttermilk
3-3/4 cups confectioners' sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Dash salt
3/4 cup chopped almonds, optional

Directions

In a large saucepan, bring butter, cocoa and water just to a boil. Cool.
Meanwhile, preheat oven to 350°. In a large bowl, combine the flour, sugar, baking soda and salt. Add cocoa mixture and buttermilk; mix well. Beat in the eggs, vanilla and, if desired, food coloring. Pour into a greased and floured 15x10x1-in. baking pan.
Bake until set, 20 minutes. For frosting, melt butter with cocoa and buttermilk. Stir in the confectioners' sugar, vanilla and salt. Spread over warm cake. Garnish with nuts if desired.

Test Kitchen Tips

A warped 15x10x1 can produce uneven cakes. Make sure your pan's on the straight and narrow!

For different flavor thrills, try substituting almond, rum or mint extract for the vanillas. (Mint packs a punch—reduce it from 1 tsp. to 1/4 tsp.)

Brickle bits or other crushed candy bars are also delicious sprinkled over these gooey bars. Yum!

buttermilk

To substitute for each cup of buttermilk, use 1 Tbsp. white vinegar or lemon juice plus enough milk to measure 1 cup. Stir, then let stand 5 min. Or, use 1 cup plain yogurt or 1-3/4 teaspoon cream of tartar plus 1 cup milk.

Nutrition Facts

1 piece: 466 calories, 19g fat (12g saturated fat), 78mg cholesterol, 380mg sodium, 72g carbohydrate (55g sugars, 1g fiber), 4g protein.

Chocolate Buttermilk Squares

Ingredients

Directions

Nutrition Facts

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