Chocolate Squares
If you've got margarine, softened, rolled oats and semisweet chocolate chips, you're most of the way to this vegetarian: about 60 minutes of cooking across 7 steps. Below: the ingredients split into pantry staples and a quick shopping list, a built-in serving scaler, and the method in 7 steps.
You'll mainly reach for oven and pan. At medium difficulty across 7 steps, it's manageable with a little attention. As written, it's meat-free.
What you'll need
Shopping list (3)
Pantry staples (you likely have these)
Diet: vegetarian β no meat or fish, based on every ingredient listed below.
Contains: Gluten Egg
Allergen labels are informational and may not cover cross-contact; verify every package and consult a qualified professional for medical dietary needs. Diet labels are derived from the ingredient list on this page β how we verify diet and allergen labels.
Food-safety and allergen information is general, not medical advice. Follow current guidance from your local food-safety authority, verify product labels, and seek qualified advice for allergies or health conditions.
How to make it
- Preheat the oven to 175 C (350 F) and line or grease an 8-inch square baking pan.
- In a large bowl, cream the softened margarine with the brown sugar until light and fluffy, then beat in the egg and vanilla until smooth.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, rolled oats, baking soda, and salt.
- Gradually stir the dry ingredients into the wet mixture until a thick, even dough forms, then fold in about two-thirds of the chocolate chips.
- Press the dough evenly into the prepared pan and scatter the remaining chocolate chips over the top, pressing them in lightly.
- Bake for 20 to 25 minutes until the edges are golden and the center is set but still slightly soft to the touch.
- Let the slab cool completely in the pan before cutting into squares so they hold their shape cleanly.
You'll use: Oven Β· Pan Β· Whisk
Ingredient substitutions
- Brown Sugar
- white sugar + 1 tbsp molasses per cup
Tips & common questions
How long does Chocolate Squares take to make?
About 60 minutes from start to finish β an estimate based on the 7 steps and 9 ingredients. Times vary with your kitchen and how much prep you do ahead.
What can I use instead of brown sugar?
Try white sugar + 1 tbsp molasses per cup. See the substitutions section above for more swaps.
Can I scale this recipe up or down?
Yes β use the servings control above the ingredients and every quantity rescales automatically (fractions included). Cooking times stay roughly the same; very large batches may need a little longer.
Is Chocolate Squares vegetarian?
Its ingredients contain no meat, fish or shellfish, so it is suitable for vegetarians. Check any cheese for animal rennet if that matters to you.
Related recipes
Adapted recipe β rewritten in our own wording from an open-licensed community cookbook, not yet independently kitchen-tested by Consomee. How we source, test & correct recipes.
Chocolate Squares is adapted by Consomee from the Wikibooks Cookbook, rewritten in our own wording and used under CC BY-SA 4.0. Photo: Chocolate cake and Victoria sponge.jpg by Acabashi, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons. We add the serving scaler, ingredient tools, timing and structure β how we source recipes.