Description
Indulgent Caramel Crush Bars are a delightful homemade dessert featuring a buttery oat and flour crust, topped with a rich and glossy caramel filling, perfect for satisfying your sweet tooth with a comforting texture and flavor combination.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Base
- 1.25 cups butter, melted
- 1.5 cups quick oats
- 2.25 cups all-purpose flour
- 1.5 cups brown sugar
For the Caramel Filling
- 0.25 cups butter, melted
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 0.25 cups milk
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons flour
Instructions
- Melt the Butter: Melt the butter in a microwave-safe bowl by heating it for 1-2 minutes until completely liquefied. This ensures it incorporates smoothly into the dry ingredients.
- Prepare the Crust Mixture: In a large mixing bowl, combine the melted butter with quick oats, all-purpose flour, and brown sugar. Stir until a crumbly yet sticky mixture forms, which will create the base of the bars.
- Press and Bake the Crust: Press two-thirds of the mixture evenly into a greased 9×13-inch pan to form a firm crust. Preheat the oven to 325°F (163°C) and bake the crust for 10 minutes. Remove and let it cool for a few minutes before adding the filling.
- Make the Caramel Filling: Melt the remaining butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Add the brown sugar and stir until smooth and glossy. Gradually stir in the milk, vanilla extract, and flour, mixing continuously to form a smooth caramel mixture.
- Simmer the Caramel: Bring the caramel mixture to a gentle boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 3 minutes while stirring constantly to achieve a thick, luscious consistency.
- Assemble the Bars: Pour the caramel filling evenly over the cooled crust in the pan. Spread it out smoothly with a spatula to cover the crust entirely.
- Add the Crisp Topping: Sprinkle the reserved one-third crust crumb mixture evenly over the caramel layer to create a crunchy topping.
- Bake to Finish: Lower the oven temperature to 300°F (149°C) and bake the assembled bars for 20 minutes. After baking, allow the bars to cool completely in the pan to set properly before cutting into squares.
Notes
- Store leftover bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for up to one week to maintain freshness.
- Make sure to press the crust evenly to prevent cracks in the final bars.
- For a softer texture, reduce baking time slightly; for crunchier bars, bake a few minutes longer but watch carefully.
- Tried this recipe? Let us know how it was!
- Try other easy cookie recipes like Chocolate Chip Cookies and Cinnamon Kissed Cheesecake Donut Cookies for more delicious treats.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: caramel bars, oat bars, homemade dessert, caramel filling, baked bars, sweet treats, easy dessert bars
