Messenger Bars
Indulge in irresistible decadence with these Messenger Bars, the ultimate dessert bar layered with gooey caramel, melty chocolate, and a crumbly oat crust. This recipe effortlessly combines the buttery richness of old-fashioned oats with the sweetness of melted caramel candies and semi-sweet chocolate chips for a truly satisfying treat. With just 20 minutes of prep time and a golden-brown bake in under half an hour, these bars deliver bakery-style results at home. Perfect for dessert trays, potlucks, or an indulgent snack, Messenger Bars are easy to make yet packed with flavor. Plus, their chewy-crunchy texture and rich sweetness make them a crowd-pleaser every time. Whether you’re craving a cozy treat or planning to wow guests, these caramel-filled dessert bars are sure to become a go-to favorite.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter
- 1 cup brown sugar (light or dark)
- 1.5 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 cups old-fashioned oats
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 0.25 teaspoons salt
- 1.5 cups chocolate chips (semi-sweet or milk)
- 12 ounces caramel candies (unwrapped)
- 0.25 cup heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking pan or line it with parchment paper for easy removal of the bars.
In a large mixing bowl, cream together the unsalted butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy (about 2-3 minutes with an electric mixer).
Add the all-purpose flour, old-fashioned oats, baking soda, and salt to the bowl. Mix until combined to form a crumbly dough.
Press two-thirds of the dough mixture evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking pan to form a base layer. Set the remaining dough aside for later.
In a medium-sized saucepan over low heat, melt the caramel candies and heavy cream together, stirring constantly to ensure a smooth consistency. Once fully melted, remove from heat and stir in the vanilla extract.
Sprinkle the chocolate chips evenly over the base layer of dough in the pan.
Drizzle the melted caramel mixture evenly over the chocolate chips, ensuring it covers the entire surface.
Crumble the remaining dough mixture over the top of the caramel layer, creating a textured topping.
Bake the bars in the preheated oven for 22-25 minutes, or until the top is lightly golden brown.
Remove the pan from the oven and let the bars cool completely in the pan on a wire rack. This step is essential for the bars to set properly.
Once cooled, cut the Messenger Bars into 16 squares or desired sizes. Serve and enjoy!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
6187 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 250.9 g | 322% | |
| Saturated Fat | 144.9 g | 724% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 308 mg | 103% | |
| Sodium | 2552 mg | 111% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 953.8 g | 347% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 32.9 g | 118% | |
| Total Sugars | 613.8 g | ||
| Protein | 69.5 g | 139% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 816 mg | 63% | |
| Iron | 27.7 mg | 154% | |
| Potassium | 2528 mg | 54% | |
*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.
