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Knock-You-Naked Bars Recipe

4.9 from 75 reviews

Knock-You-Naked Bars are a decadent, layered dessert featuring a moist cake base, a rich caramel and chocolate chip filling, and a buttery crumb topping. These bars combine the ease of a boxed cake mix with the indulgence of gooey caramel and melty chocolate chips, creating a foolproof treat perfect for any occasion.

Ingredients

Scale

Base and Topping

  • 1 box yellow or white cake mix (about 15.25 oz)
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted

Filling

  • 1 cup caramel sauce or caramel bits (softened)
  • 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Batter: In a mixing bowl, combine the dry cake mix with the melted butter until a thick, crumbly dough forms. The mixture should hold together when pressed but still be slightly crumbly.
  2. Bake the Base Layer: Press half of the batter evenly into the bottom of a greased 9×13-inch baking pan. Bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 10-12 minutes or until the edges begin to set and the top looks slightly firm.
  3. Add the Filling: Remove the pan from the oven and immediately spread the caramel sauce evenly over the baked base. Sprinkle the semi-sweet chocolate chips evenly on top of the caramel layer.
  4. Top with Remaining Batter: Crumble the remaining half of the batter over the caramel and chocolate chip layers, distributing it evenly to cover the filling without completely pressing it down.
  5. Bake the Bars: Return the pan to the oven and bake at 350°F (175°C) for an additional 25-30 minutes or until the top is golden brown and the bars are set.
  6. Cool and Serve: Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack before slicing into squares. This helps the layers set and makes clean cutting easier.

Notes

  • You can substitute caramel sauce with caramel bits melted with a little cream for a homemade caramel layer.
  • For richer flavor, use a butter-based yellow cake mix.
  • Store bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for up to a week.
  • Optional: Add chopped nuts like pecans or walnuts on top for added texture.

Keywords: caramel bars, chocolate chip bars, cake mix dessert, easy dessert bars, layered bars