Caramel Crunch Bars
Indulge in the ultimate sweet and salty treat with these irresistible Caramel Crunch Bars! Featuring a buttery shortbread crust, a rich homemade caramel filling, and a glossy layer of melted chocolate, these bars are crowned with a topping of crushed pretzels or toffee bits for the perfect crunch. This recipe strikes the ideal balance of creamy, chewy, and crunchy textures, making it a dessert that's sure to impress. Ready in just an hour, these easy-to-make bars are perfect for holiday gatherings, potlucks, or satisfying your afternoon sweet tooth. With a combination of classic ingredients like sweetened condensed milk, semi-sweet chocolate chips, and light brown sugar, every bite delivers a luxurious mix of flavors. Serve these delectable squares as a standalone treat or pair them with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an extra-special dessert experience.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 1.25 cups all-purpose flour
- 0.75 cups unsalted butter (cold, cubed)
- 0.5 cups granulated sugar
- 0.25 teaspoons salt
- 14 ounces sweetened condensed milk
- 0.5 cups light brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons light corn syrup
- 0.25 cups unsalted butter (for caramel filling)
- 1 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 0.5 cups crushed pretzels or toffee bits (for topping)
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line an 8x8-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving some overhang for easy removal.
In a medium bowl, combine the flour, granulated sugar, and salt. Add the cold, cubed butter and use a pastry cutter or your fingers to mix until the texture resembles coarse crumbs.
Press the mixture evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking pan to form the crust. Bake for 18-20 minutes, or until the edges are golden. Let it cool while preparing the caramel filling.
In a medium saucepan, combine the sweetened condensed milk, brown sugar, corn syrup, and butter over medium heat. Stir constantly until the butter is melted and the mixture begins to bubble.
Reduce the heat to low and continue stirring for 8-10 minutes, or until the caramel thickens and turns a light golden color. Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla extract.
Pour the caramel filling over the cooled crust and spread it evenly with a spatula. Let it cool for 5-10 minutes before proceeding to the next step.
Melt the semi-sweet chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl in 20-second intervals, stirring after each until smooth and fully melted.
Spread the melted chocolate evenly over the caramel layer. Sprinkle the crushed pretzels or toffee bits on top for added crunch.
Allow the bars to set at room temperature for 1-2 hours, or refrigerate for faster setting.
Once fully set, lift the bars out of the pan using the parchment paper overhang. Slice into 16 squares and serve.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
5465 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 275.8 g | 354% | |
| Saturated Fat | 171.9 g | 860% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 1.3 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 652 mg | 217% | |
| Sodium | 2156 mg | 94% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 730.0 g | 265% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 17.9 g | 64% | |
| Total Sugars | 537.0 g | ||
| Protein | 65.2 g | 130% | |
| Vitamin D | 1.5 mcg | 8% | |
| Calcium | 1286 mg | 99% | |
| Iron | 14.7 mg | 82% | |
| Potassium | 1917 mg | 41% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
