Indulgent Caramel Crush Bars That Will Wow Your Taste Buds Recipe
Indulge your sweet tooth with these irresistibly rich Caramel Crush Bars. Featuring a buttery oat-based crust and a luscious homemade caramel filling, these bars are the perfect treat for gatherings or whenever you want to wow your taste buds with a decadent dessert.
- Author: Stella
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 12 bars 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
For the Crust
- 1 ¼ cups Butter, melted
- 1 ½ cups Quick oats
- 2 ¼ cups All-purpose flour
- 1 ½ cups Brown sugar
For the Caramel Filling
- ¼ cup Butter, melted
- 1 cup Brown sugar
- ¼ cup Milk
- 2 teaspoons Vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons Flour
- Melt the Butter: In a microwave-safe bowl, melt 1 ¼ cups of butter for about 30 seconds until completely liquid.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine melted butter, 1 ½ cups of quick oats, 2 ¼ cups of all-purpose flour, and 1 ½ cups of brown sugar. Mix until evenly incorporated to form the crust mixture.
- Press the Crust Mixture: Grease a 9×13 inch baking pan. Press two-thirds of the crust mixture firmly into the bottom of the pan to form an even layer.
- Prepare the Caramel Filling: In a saucepan over medium heat, melt ¼ cup of butter, stirring continuously until it bubbles gently.
- Mix in Brown Sugar: Add 1 cup of brown sugar to the melted butter and stir continuously until the mixture is completely smooth and combined.
- Add Milk and Flour: Gradually stir in ¼ cup of milk, then mix in 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract and 2 tablespoons of flour until smooth and lump-free.
- Simmer the Caramel: Bring the mixture to a gentle boil and allow it to simmer for about 3 minutes, stirring frequently until it thickens to a luscious caramel consistency.
- Assemble the Bars: Pour the caramel filling evenly over the pressed crust layer in the baking pan.
- Add the Crust Topping: Sprinkle the reserved one-third of the crust mixture evenly over the caramel filling to create a crumbly topping.
- Bake to Perfection: Place the pan in a preheated oven at 300°F (150°C) and bake for 20 minutes, or until the top has turned a light golden brown color.
- Cut and Serve: Remove from oven and let cool completely. Once cooled, cut into bars and serve at room temperature.
Notes
- These Caramel Crush Bars are perfect for gatherings and can be customized with add-ins such as chopped nuts or chocolate chips for extra texture and flavor.
- Ensure the caramel filling is thick enough before pouring to prevent it from running through the crust.
- Allow bars to cool completely before slicing to maintain clean cuts.
- Store any leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for longer freshness.
Keywords: Caramel Crush Bars, crowd-pleaser, Dessert Recipe, Easy Dessert, indulgent snacks