Death by Caramel Bars
Indulge in the ultimate sweet-tooth satisfaction with these irresistible Death by Caramel Bars, a decadent dessert that layers buttery shortbread, gooey caramel, and rich dark chocolate into one unforgettable bite. Perfectly sweet and slightly salty with a sprinkle of sea salt flakes, these bars strike a heavenly balance of textures and flavors. Made with simple yet luxurious ingredients like soft caramels and premium chocolate chips, this easy-to-follow recipe only takes 20 minutes of prep time. Whether you're hosting a gathering, treating yourself, or sharing with loved ones, these caramel-stuffed delights are guaranteed to impress. Serve them as a standalone treat or pair with a dollop of whipped cream for ultimate indulgence.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 226 grams Unsalted butter (softened)
- 100 grams Granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla extract
- 260 grams All-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 300 grams Soft caramels (unwrapped)
- 60 milliliters Heavy cream
- 200 grams Dark chocolate chips
- 1 teaspoon Sea salt flakes (optional, for topping)
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 175°C (350°F) and line a 9x9-inch (23x23 cm) square baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang for easy removal.
In a large mixing bowl, cream the softened butter and granulated sugar together until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes using a hand or stand mixer.
Add the vanilla extract and mix until combined.
Gradually mix in the all-purpose flour and salt until the dough comes together. It may look crumbly, but that’s okay.
Press the dough evenly into the prepared pan to form a shortbread layer. Use the back of a spoon or your hands to flatten it out evenly.
Bake the shortbread layer for 20-25 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. Remove from the oven and let it cool slightly while you prepare the caramel layer.
Place the unwrapped caramels and heavy cream in a microwave-safe bowl. Heat in 30-second intervals, stirring in between, until the mixture is smooth and fully melted. This should take about 2-3 minutes.
Pour the melted caramel evenly over the cooled shortbread layer, spreading it out with a spatula. Let it set for about 10 minutes at room temperature.
Melt the dark chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl in 30-second intervals, stirring in between, until smooth. Alternatively, melt the chocolate using a double boiler over low heat.
Pour the melted chocolate over the caramel layer, spreading it evenly with an offset spatula or the back of a spoon.
If desired, sprinkle sea salt flakes over the chocolate for a sweet-and-salty touch.
Allow the bars to fully set. You can speed up this process by placing the pan in the refrigerator for 30 minutes.
Once set, lift the bars out of the pan using the parchment paper overhang. Cut into 12 squares and serve. Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature or in the refrigerator.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
5382 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 308.8 g | 396% | |
| Saturated Fat | 183.2 g | 916% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 553 mg | 184% | |
| Sodium | 4780 mg | 208% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 641.5 g | 233% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 20.4 g | 73% | |
| Total Sugars | 374.1 g | ||
| Protein | 46.4 g | 93% | |
| Vitamin D | 2.8 mcg | 14% | |
| Calcium | 431 mg | 33% | |
| Iron | 25.6 mg | 142% | |
| Potassium | 1831 mg | 39% | |
*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.
