{"id":3060,"date":"2024-08-31T16:35:42","date_gmt":"2024-08-31T16:35:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/snarklesauce.com\/blog\/?p=3060"},"modified":"2025-08-08T00:15:53","modified_gmt":"2025-08-08T04:15:53","slug":"aldi-butter-bars-specially-selected-review","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/snarklesauce.com\/blog\/2024\/08\/31\/aldi-butter-bars-specially-selected-review\/","title":{"rendered":"Aldi Butter Bars (Specially Selected) Review"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Author\u2019s note: Not a paid review! I have no affiliation with <\/em>Aldi<\/em><\/a>. This is my own unwashed opinion.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

At least 120% as good as the hype.<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

These are the famous Aldi Butter Bars. I’ve been mislead before by internet hype (ahem, such as this Aldi Sourdough Bread<\/a>), so I almost<\/em> didn’t buy these bars. They were impishly placed near the check-out registers in the store, so that I was forced to look at them while standing in line. I stared them down for several<\/em> minutes before guiltily slipping them into my cart.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I’m pleased to say, these naughty little treats exceeded my expectations. They are even better than the frenzied internet chatter. These are scrumptious<\/em> bars \u2014 one of the best Aldi bakery items I’ve tried so far. In my humble opinion, they do not even taste like a grocery store product. They have a high-quality homemade (or even boutique bakery) taste. Truly as good as everyone<\/em> says. Whoever “everyone” is. Hmmph.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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What do they taste like?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Aldi’s Butter Bars are somewhat similar to the St. Louis Gooey Butter Cake<\/a>. I would describe the taste as akin to a lemon bar, but without the tangy citrus zing. Instead, there is a strong, rich butter flavor. In fact, butter is the second ingredient! Yaaaas! Butter! There’s also a slight cheesiness (from the cream cheese), and a pleasant-but-subtle saltiness. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

I wish I could tell you these are entirely<\/em> a natural flavors, but alas. There are artificial flavors, too. More about the ingredients later. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Mmmm, textures!<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Texture-wise, the butter bars have a delicate baked custard filling, with thin, crisp, flakey, crust. The browned top is dusted with confectioner’s sugar for an attractive visual contrast. These are petite bars, but dense and filling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The tender custard base is less sticky than a pecan pie, but perhaps firmer than a flan or cheesecake. It has a super smooth<\/em> mouthfeel, and melts on the tongue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Are they too sweet?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Surprisingly, these bars are not<\/em> overwhelmingly sweet. They seem less sugary than a lemon bar, anyway. I had no toothaches or hypoglycemic jitters from eating these. They are somehow rich, but not saccharine. The fats keep the sugar from taking over the world, perhaps.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Browned<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Crustage<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I love talking about crusts. Maybe because I’m a crusty old curmudgeon. Ha. Aldi’s Butter Bars have a bottom crust that is wonderfully thick, with the perfect balance of crumbly and soft. It magically achieves all this without falling apart. Mine served neatly every<\/em> time. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The crust also has a buttery richness that is decadent all by itself. I enjoyed this bottom layer almost<\/em> as much as the custard \u2014 which is<\/em> saying something. There isn’t much flavor aside from the buttery graham taste. But, I found myself not wanting any other flavors to distract me from this quiet goodness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

(If you love butter flavor as much as I do, perhaps you would enjoy my review of these St Michel French Butter Cookies<\/a>.)<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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If you are entertaining, these bars can be sliced into smaller rectangles for elegant finger-food. I cut each bar into 4 pieces, which means an entire package would yield 32 party-sized nuggets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

(For another elegant, party-worthy treat, check out my review of Sprouts Mini Lemon Bites<\/a>.)<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Fingers<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The dainty pieces are sturdy enough to easily serve without being messy or sticky or falling apart. I would not be ashamed to include these in a tea party spread, or even a sophisticated holiday party buffet. They look like I made them myself!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ingredients in Aldi Butter Bars<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Here are the ingredients from the label:<\/p>\n\n\n\n