Description
These Caramel Chocolate Crunch Bars are a decadent treat featuring a buttery brown sugar crust topped with rich caramel, melty chocolate chunks, and crunchy nuts. Perfect for dessert or a special snack, they combine smooth caramel and chocolate with a satisfying crunch.
Ingredients
Scale
Crust
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1 cup unsalted butter, melted
Topping
- 1 cup caramel sauce
- 1 cup chocolate chunks
- 1/2 cup chopped nuts (optional)
- 1/2 cup chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to prepare for baking the bars.
- Make Crust Mixture: In a medium bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, brown sugar, and melted unsalted butter. Mix thoroughly until well incorporated to form the crust base.
- Form Crust: Press the crust mixture evenly into the bottom of a greased baking dish, creating a firm and even layer.
- Bake Crust: Place the dish into the preheated oven and bake for 10 to 12 minutes until the crust is lightly golden and set.
- Add Caramel Layer: Remove the baked crust from the oven and immediately pour the caramel sauce evenly over the hot crust, allowing it to spread naturally.
- Top with Chocolate and Nuts: Sprinkle the chocolate chunks and chopped nuts evenly over the caramel layer for texture and flavor.
- Bake Again: Return the dish to the oven and bake for an additional 10 minutes, until the caramel is bubbly and the chocolate chunks have begun to melt.
- Add Chocolate Chips: Remove the bars from the oven and sprinkle the chocolate chips on top. Allow them to melt slightly, then gently spread with a spatula for an even layer.
- Cool and Serve: Let the bars cool completely at room temperature before cutting into squares to allow the layers to set.
Notes
- For a nut-free version, simply omit the chopped nuts.
- Use high-quality caramel sauce for the best flavor.
- Chilling the bars briefly after cooling can make cutting easier.
- Store the bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for longer freshness.
- Chocolate chunks can be substituted with chocolate chips if preferred.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 22 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: Caramel bars, chocolate bars, dessert bars, caramel chocolate crunch, homemade dessert, bake sale recipe, sweet treat
