Print

Decadent Caramel Chocolate Crunch Bars Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

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.

Ingredients

Scale

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

Find it online: https://hannahdelgado.com/decadent-caramel-chocolate-crunch-bars-recipe/