Chocolate Chip Caramel Bars

If you're craving the perfect balance of sweet, salty, and buttery goodness, these chocolate chip caramel bars will hit the spot. With a golden, crumbly crust made rich with brown sugar, and a gooey caramel center studded with melted chocolate chips, these bars are irresistible. And for those of us “non-bakers,” they are easy to make and promise to please the sweetest tooth.

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First, make the crust. With just a few ingredients cookie type dough is formed.

One key in this recipe is the melted butter.

The dough will have the texture of cookie dough.

Using your hands, press the dough into the bottom of a 9x13 pan. Bake for about 10 minutes in a 350 degree oven, until is begins to brown.

One thing we’ve learned is to either spray the pan fully, including up the sides, or to cut the parchment large enough to go up the sides of the dish. This will help the bars come our easier after cooking and cooling.

Caramel Sauce

While the dough is baking make the caramel sauce. It’s pretty simple. Start with melting the caramels in a saucepan with the condensed milk. Add the brown sugar. Then add the vanilla and salt. It should turn to a creamy, silky sauce. Careful! It will be hot!

Now it’s time to pull the bars all together. Start by pouring that gooey, yummy caramel sauce over the cooked dough.

Next, place the chocolate chips over the caramel mixture. Since the pan is hot they will begin to melt right away.

Use the last third of the dough as a “crumble,” spreading over the entire pan.

Place back in the oven for 20-25 minutes. The caramel should be bubbling up a bit through the crumble. Let cool fully before cutting. Once, cool enough to touch the pan, place in the fridge for speedier cooling.

Whether you're looking for a quick dessert to share or something indulgent to enjoy with a cup of coffee, this recipe delivers layers of flavor and texture that make every bite unforgettable.

Author: Jennifer Hipskind

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Chocolate Chip Caramel Bars

Chocolate Chip Caramel Bars - A golden, crumbly crust, and a gooey caramel center studded with melted chocolate chips make these bars irresistible.

Prep time: 20 MinCook time: 40 MinTotal time: 1 Hour

Ingredients

• Crust and Topping:
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Filling:
• 1 can (14 oz) sweetened condensed milk
• 1/2 cup caramel sauce (or melted caramel candies)
• 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 cup brown sugar

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a 9x13 inch baking pan with parchment paper or use a good amount of cooking spray.
2. Crust: In a large bowl, combine the flour, brown sugar, melted butter, vanilla extract, and salt. Press about two-thirds of the mixture into the bottom of the prepared pan to form a crust. Bake for 12-15 minutes, until lightly golden.
3. Caramel Filling: In a saucepan over low heat, heat the sweetened condensed milk, caramel sauce, and brown sugar while stirring until smooth and well combined. Add vanilla extract and salt.
4. Assembling: Pour the caramel mixture over the baked crust. Sprinkle the chocolate chips evenly over the caramel. Crumble the remaining crust mixture on top to create a streusel-like topping.
5. Bake: Return the pan to the oven and bake for another 20-25 minutes until the top is golden and the caramel is bubbling.
6. Cool and Cut: Let the bars cool completely in the pan before slicing. For easier cutting, you can chill them in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes. Enjoy!