Decadent Caramel Chocolate Crunch Bars Recipe

Introduction

These Decadent Caramel Chocolate Crunch Bars are a delightful treat that combines rich chocolate, gooey caramel, and a satisfying crunch. Perfect for satisfying your sweet tooth, they are easy to make and sure to impress family and friends.

Ingredients

• 1 cup graham cracker crumbs
• 1 cup rolled oats
• 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 1 cup milk chocolate chips
• 1/2 cup caramel sauce (plus extra for drizzling)
• 1 cup chopped nuts (such as walnuts, pecans, or almonds)
• 1/4 teaspoon sea salt

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×9 inch pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang for easy removal.
2. Step 2: In a large mixing bowl, combine graham cracker crumbs, rolled oats, cocoa powder, brown sugar, and sea salt. Mix well.
3. Step 3: Pour the melted butter into the dry ingredients and stir until the mixture is evenly coated and crumbly.
4. Step 4: Press half of the mixture into the bottom of the prepared pan, creating a firm layer.
5. Step 5: Sprinkle the milk chocolate chips evenly over the pressed crust. Then drizzle half of the caramel sauce over the chocolate chips.
6. Step 6: Add the chopped nuts over the caramel layer, pressing them slightly into the chocolate.
7. Step 7: Top with the remaining crumb mixture and gently press it down to ensure everything sticks together.
8. Step 8: Bake in the preheated oven for about 25-30 minutes, or until the top is set and slightly golden.
9. Step 9: Remove from the oven and allow to cool in the pan for about 10 minutes. Then, carefully drizzle the extra caramel sauce on top.
10. Step 10: Let the bars cool completely in the pan on a wire rack before lifting them out using the parchment paper. Cut into squares or bars as desired.

Tips & Variations

• For extra flavor, toast the nuts lightly before adding them to enhance their crunch and aroma.
• Substitute dark chocolate chips for milk chocolate if you prefer a richer taste.
• To make these bars nut-free, simply omit the nuts or replace them with seeds like pumpkin or sunflower seeds.
• Use a salted caramel sauce to add a subtle contrast to the sweetness.

Storage

Store the bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, keep them in the refrigerator for up to a week. Reheat gently for a few seconds in the microwave to soften the caramel if desired before serving.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make these bars gluten-free?

Yes, by using gluten-free graham cracker crumbs and oats that are certified gluten-free, you can make this recipe safe for gluten-sensitive diets.

How do I prevent the bars from sticking to the pan?

Lining the pan with parchment paper and leaving an overhang makes it easy to lift the bars out without sticking. You can also lightly grease the parchment paper for extra assurance.

Decadent Caramel Chocolate Crunch Bars Recipe

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★★★★★

4.7 from 126 reviews

These Decadent Caramel Chocolate Crunch Bars are a delightful treat combining a rich chocolate oat base, gooey caramel layers, and crunchy nuts, perfect for indulgent snacking or dessert. With a balance of textures and flavors, they are easy to prepare and bake into delicious bars everyone will love.

• Author: Hannah
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Total Time: 1 hour
• Yield: 16 bars 1x
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Base and Crust

• 1 cup graham cracker crumbs
• 1 cup rolled oats
• 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted

Layers and Toppings

• 1 cup milk chocolate chips
• 1/2 cup caramel sauce (plus extra for drizzling)
• 1 cup chopped nuts (such as walnuts, pecans, or almonds)

Instructions

1. Preheat Oven and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×9 inch baking pan with parchment paper, making sure to leave an overhang on the sides for easy removal of the bars.
2. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the graham cracker crumbs, rolled oats, unsweetened cocoa powder, brown sugar, and sea salt. Stir thoroughly to distribute all ingredients evenly.
3. Add Melted Butter: Pour the melted unsalted butter into the dry mixture and stir until everything is evenly coated and the mixture is crumbly but holds together when pressed.
4. Press Base Layer: Take half of the crumb mixture and firmly press it into the bottom of the prepared pan to create a solid base layer.
5. Add Chocolate and Caramel Layers: Sprinkle the milk chocolate chips evenly over the pressed crust. Then drizzle half of the caramel sauce over the chocolate chips to create a rich, sticky layer.
6. Top with Nuts: Sprinkle the chopped nuts over the caramel layer, pressing them slightly into the chocolate and caramel to ensure they adhere well.
7. Finish with Remaining Crumb Mixture: Spread the remaining crumb mixture over the nuts and gently press it down to make sure the top layer sticks together and covers the nuts completely.
8. Bake: Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the top layer is set and lightly golden brown.
9. Cool and Drizzle Extra Caramel: Remove from the oven and let the bars cool in the pan for about 10 minutes. While still warm, drizzle the extra caramel sauce over the top for added sweetness and decoration.
10. Final Cooling and Serving: Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack. Once cooled, use the parchment paper overhang to lift the bars out of the pan and cut into 16 squares or bars as desired.

Notes

• The choice of nuts can be customized according to preference—walnuts, pecans, or almonds all work well.
• For firmer bars, ensure the ingredients are packed tightly at each pressing step.
• Use a silicone spatula for drizzling the caramel sauce to get an even, thin layer on top.
• Store bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for longer freshness.
• For a gluten-free version, use gluten-free oats and certified gluten-free graham cracker crumbs.

Keywords: caramel bars, chocolate bars, crunchy dessert, baked bars, chocolate caramel, nutty bars, easy dessert