Indulge in the perfect harmony of buttery, crumbly goodness and rich, gooey caramel with these irresistible Caramel Streusel Bars! Featuring a golden, shortbread-like crust topped with luscious caramel sauce and a buttery oat streusel enhanced with warm cinnamon and optional chopped nuts, these bars are a dessert lover's dream. With just 20 minutes of prep time, theyβre easy to make yet elegant enough for any occasion. Perfect for potlucks, holiday gatherings, or a sweet treat whenever the craving strikes, these bars combine satisfying textures and flavors in every bite. Serve them as is or pair with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for the ultimate indulgence!
Preheat your oven to 350Β°F (175Β°C). Line a 9x13-inch baking dish with parchment paper, allowing the edges to overhang for easy removal.
In a medium mixing bowl, combine the melted butter, granulated sugar, and vanilla extract. Mix until smooth.
Add 2 cups of the flour and salt to the butter mixture. Stir until a crumbly dough forms.
Press the dough evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking dish to form the crust. Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges start to turn golden. Set aside to cool slightly.
In a separate bowl, prepare the streusel topping by combining the oats, brown sugar, remaining 0.5 cups of flour, ground cinnamon, and chopped nuts (if using). Stir to mix, then add 1/2 cup of melted butter. Mix until crumbly.
Spread the caramel sauce evenly over the pre-baked crust, making sure to leave a small border around the edges to prevent overflow during baking.
Sprinkle the streusel topping evenly over the caramel layer, pressing lightly to adhere.
Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the caramel is bubbling at the edges.
Remove from the oven and allow the bars to cool completely in the pan, about 1-2 hours. For faster cooling, you can place the pan in the refrigerator for 30-40 minutes.
Once cooled, use the parchment paper overhang to lift the bars out of the pan. Slice into squares or rectangles and serve. Store any leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
Calories |
5419 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 262.0 g | 336% | |
| Saturated Fat | 142.4 g | 712% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 597 mg | 199% | |
| Sodium | 1631 mg | 71% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 734.6 g | 267% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 20.7 g | 74% | |
| Total Sugars | 429.8 g | ||
| Protein | 55.7 g | 111% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 443 mg | 34% | |
| Iron | 20.1 mg | 112% | |
| Potassium | 1309 mg | 28% | |
*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.