Description
Delicious Chocolate Caramel Bars featuring a buttery oat crust, gooey caramel layer, topped with semisweet chocolate chips and crunchy walnuts. Perfectly baked to create a sumptuous treat combining rich caramel and chocolate with a pleasant nutty crunch.
Ingredients
Caramel Layer
- 32 individually wrapped caramels, unwrapped
- 5 tablespoons heavy cream
Crust & Topping
- 1½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1½ cups old fashioned oats
- 1 cup brown sugar
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup butter, melted
- ¾ cup semisweet chocolate chips
- ½ cup chopped walnuts
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Spray a 13- x 9-inch baking pan generously with nonstick cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Melt Caramel Mixture: In a medium saucepan over low heat, combine the unwrapped caramels and heavy cream. Stir occasionally until the mixture becomes completely smooth and melted. Remove from heat and set aside.
- Mix Dry Ingredients and Butter: In a medium bowl, stir together the all-purpose flour, old fashioned oats, brown sugar, baking soda, and salt. Pour in the melted butter and mix thoroughly until well blended.
- Divide Crust Mixture and Press Base: Measure out 1½ cups of the oat-flour mixture and set aside for later topping. Press the remaining mixture evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking pan to form the crust.
- Bake Crust: Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake the crust for 10 minutes until it is set and lightly firm.
- Add Toppings and Caramel: Remove the crust from the oven and sprinkle the semisweet chocolate chips and chopped walnuts evenly over it. Pour the warm caramel mixture evenly on top of the chocolate and nuts.
- Add Crumble Topping: Crumble the reserved 1½ cups of the crust mixture evenly over the caramel layer, creating a crumbly topping.
- Bake Final: Return the pan to the oven and bake for an additional 14 to 16 minutes, or until the edges are lightly browned and the topping is set.
- Cool and Slice: Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan before cutting into 24 squares for serving.
Notes
- Ensure caramels are melted on low heat to prevent burning and achieve a silky caramel sauce.
- Cooling completely before slicing helps bars hold their shape.
- For a nut-free version, omit walnuts or replace with seeds.
- Use foil or parchment paper in the pan for easier removal if preferred.
- Baking times may vary slightly depending on oven calibration; watch for lightly browned edges.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 26 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
