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Better Than Anything Bars Recipe

Better Than Anything Bars Recipe
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★★★★★

5.2 from 9 reviews

Better Than Anything Bars are irresistibly rich and indulgent dessert bars featuring a buttery cookie base layered with a creamy peanut butter caramel sauce and studded with generous milk chocolate chips. These bars combine soft, chewy textures with gooey caramel and the perfect hint of peanut butter, creating a decadent treat that’s perfect for sharing or savoring anytime you crave something sweet.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Bars:

  • 1 cup butter, softened
  • 1 cup brown sugar, packed
  • 1/2 cup white sugar
  • 2 medium eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 2 cups milk chocolate chips or semi-sweet chocolate chips

For the Caramel Sauce:

  • 14 ounces of caramels, unwrapped (or 14 ounces of caramel bits)
  • 5 ounces canned evaporated milk
  • 1/2 cup peanut butter

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Cookie Dough Base: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9″x13″ baking pan with cooking spray to ensure easy release. In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter, brown sugar, and white sugar until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
  2. Add the Eggs and Vanilla: Add the eggs one at a time, beating after each until just blended. Stir in the vanilla extract until combined.
  3. Combine the Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add this dry mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. The dough will be thick but manageable.
  4. Mix in the Chocolate Chips: Fold the chocolate chips into the dough. Use a mixer on low speed if preferred but finish mixing by hand to prevent overworking the dough.
  5. Bake the First Layer: Scoop half of the cookie dough into the prepared baking pan and spread it evenly to the bottom. Bake for 8-10 minutes until lightly golden but not fully set.
  6. Make the Caramel Sauce: While the first layer bakes, combine the unwrapped caramels and evaporated milk in a microwave-safe bowl. Heat on medium (power level 5) in 1-2 minute increments, stirring every 30 seconds until melted and smooth.
  7. Add Peanut Butter to the Caramel: Stir the peanut butter into the hot caramel mixture until fully incorporated and smooth.
  8. Assemble the Bars: Spread the warm caramel sauce evenly over the baked cookie base. Drop spoonfuls of the remaining cookie dough over the caramel layer. The dough will spread as it bakes, so full coverage is not necessary.
  9. Finish Baking: Return the pan to the oven and bake for another 17-20 minutes until the top dough layer is golden brown and set.
  10. Cool and Serve: Let the bars cool completely in the pan on a wire rack. Once cooled, cut into squares. Due to their richness, smaller portions are recommended for serving.

Notes

  • Use room temperature butter to ensure easy creaming and proper texture in the dough.
  • If you prefer a stronger peanut butter flavor, increase the peanut butter in the caramel sauce slightly.
  • Use semi-sweet chocolate chips if you want a less sweet contrast to the caramel and dough.
  • Store the bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for longer freshness.
  • Allow the bars to cool thoroughly before slicing to keep the layers intact.

Nutrition

Keywords: Better Than Anything Bars, chocolate caramel bars, peanut butter caramel bars, easy dessert bars, baked caramel bars, chocolate chip bars

Find it online: https://tastemadebyclara.com/better-than-anything-bars-recipe/