Experience the indulgence of ‘Better Than Anything Bars’, a delightful treat that combines the richness of caramel, the nuttiness of peanut butter, and the sweetness of chocolate chips in a soft, cookie-like bar. Perfect for dessert lovers and ideal for sharing, these bars are a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.
Servings: 24 bars
Ingredients:
For the Bars:
- 1 cup butter, softened
- 1 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1/2 cup white sugar
- 2 medium eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 cups milk chocolate chips or semi-sweet chocolate chips
For the Caramel Sauce:
- 14 ounces caramels, unwrapped (or 14 ounces caramel bits)
- 5 ounces canned evaporated milk
- 1/2 cup peanut butter
Instructions:
- Prepare for Baking: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Spray a 9″x13″ baking pan with non-stick cooking spray.
- Make Dough: In a bowl, cream together the butter, brown sugar, and white sugar. Add eggs one at a time, then stir in vanilla extract. Mix in flour, baking soda, and salt until just combined. Fold in chocolate chips.
- Bake the Base Layer: Press half of the cookie dough evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan. Bake for 8-10 minutes. The base should be just set and slightly golden.
- Prepare Caramel Sauce: While the base is baking, microwave caramels and evaporated milk in a safe bowl on medium power (50%) for 1-2 minutes. Stir every 30 seconds until smooth. Mix in peanut butter until well combined.
- Assemble Bars: Spread caramel sauce evenly over the baked dough layer. Drop teaspoonfuls of the remaining cookie dough over the caramel layer.
- Final Bake: Return the pan to the oven and bake for an additional 17-20 minutes, until the top layer is golden brown and the bars are set.
- Cool and Serve: Allow the bars to cool in the pan before cutting them into squares. Serve once cooled.
Total Prep Time: 20 minutes Cook Time: 27-30 minutes Total Time: About 1 hour
Nutritional Information (per bar, estimated):
- Calories: ~300-350 kcal
- Carbohydrates: ~35-40 g
- Sugars: ~25-30 g
- Protein: ~3-4 g
- Fat: ~15-20 g
- Sodium: ~150-200 mg
Chef’s Tips:
- Ensure all ingredients are at room temperature for even mixing.
- For a twist, sprinkle sea salt over the caramel layer before adding the final dough layer for a salted caramel effect.
Storage:
- Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
