Caramel Chocolate Crunch Bars Recipe
Delight in these irresistible Caramel Chocolate Crunch Bars featuring a buttery crust topped with luscious caramel, melty chocolate chunks and chips, and optional crunchy nuts. Perfectly baked to achieve a golden base and bubbly caramel layer, these bars combine rich flavors and textures for a delicious treat.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 22 minutes
- Total Time: 37 minutes
- Yield: 16 bars 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Crust
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- ½ cup brown sugar
- 1 cup unsalted butter, melted
Topping
- 1 cup caramel sauce
- 1 cup chocolate chunks
- ½ cup chocolate chips
- ½ cup chopped nuts (optional)
- ¼ tsp sea salt (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line an 8×8 inch baking pan with parchment paper to prevent sticking and for easy removal of the bars.
- Prepare the crust: In a mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, brown sugar, and melted unsalted butter. Mix until the mixture becomes crumbly and evenly combined. Press this crumbly dough firmly into the bottom of the prepared pan to form an even crust.
- Bake the crust: Place the pan in the oven and bake the crust alone for 10 to 12 minutes, or until it turns lightly golden. This will create a sturdy base for your caramel layer.
- Add the caramel: Remove the pan from the oven and immediately pour the caramel sauce evenly over the warm crust. Spread it gently with a spatula to cover the entire surface.
- Add chocolate and nuts: Sprinkle chocolate chunks evenly over the caramel layer, and if using, scatter the chopped nuts on top. Optionally, sprinkle a pinch of sea salt to enhance flavor.
- Bake again: Return the pan to the oven and bake for another 10 minutes, or until the caramel begins to bubble, signifying it is heated through and set.
- Add chocolate chips: Remove the pan from the oven and immediately sprinkle chocolate chips on top of the hot caramel mixture. Allow the chips to melt, then gently spread the melted chocolate into a smooth layer over the bars.
- Cool completely: Let the bars cool in the pan completely at room temperature. This helps the layers set firmly.
- Slice and serve: Once cooled and firm, use the parchment to lift the bars from the pan and slice into squares. Serve and enjoy!
Notes
- Use high-quality chocolate chunks and chips for richer flavor and better melting.
- Add a pinch of sea salt or toasted nuts for an extra flavor and texture boost.
- Chilling the bars before slicing helps achieve neat, clean squares without crumbling.
- Store bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week, or freeze for 2 to 3 months for longer storage.
Keywords: caramel bars, chocolate bars, caramel chocolate crunch, dessert bars, homemade dessert, easy dessert recipe
