Caramel Crush Bars Recipe

Introduction

Caramel Crush Bars are a delightful treat featuring a buttery oat crust topped with a rich, gooey caramel filling. These bars balance sweet and chewy textures perfectly, making them an irresistible dessert or snack.

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups quick oats
• 2 1/4 cups flour
• 1 1/2 cups brown sugar
• 1 1/4 cups butter
• 1/4 cup butter (for filling)
• 1 cup brown sugar (for filling)
• 1/4 cup milk
• 2 tsp vanilla
• 2 tbsp flour (for filling)

Instructions

1. Step 1: Melt 1 1/4 cups butter completely in a saucepan or microwave.
2. Step 2: In a large bowl, mix the melted butter with quick oats, 2 1/4 cups flour, and 1 1/2 cups brown sugar until combined.
3. Step 3: Press about two-thirds of this mixture into a greased or parchment-lined 9×13-inch baking pan. Bake at 325ºF for 10 minutes. Remove from oven and let cool to touch.
4. Step 4: Set aside the remaining one-third of the mixture for the topping.
5. Step 5: While the crust bakes, melt 1/4 cup butter in a saucepan over medium heat for the filling.
6. Step 6: Stir in 1 cup brown sugar until smooth, about 1 minute.
7. Step 7: Add milk, vanilla, and 2 tablespoons flour separately, stirring well after each addition.
8. Step 8: Bring the mixture to a slow boil and cook for about 3 minutes, stirring continuously until it thickens.
9. Step 9: Remove the filling from heat once thickened.
10. Step 10: Pour the caramel filling evenly over the cooled crust in the baking pan.
11. Step 11: Sprinkle the reserved oat mixture evenly on top of the caramel layer.
12. Step 12: Bake the assembled bars at 300ºF for 20 minutes more.
13. Step 13: Allow bars to cool completely; they may seem slightly runny when warm but will firm up as they cool.

Tips & Variations

• For extra flavor, add a pinch of sea salt to the caramel filling for a salted caramel twist.
• Use parchment paper for easy removal from the pan and cleaner cutting.
• Substitute half the flour with whole wheat flour for a nuttier crust.
• Keep stirring the caramel continuously during cooking to prevent burning.

Storage

Store the bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, refrigerate for up to a week. Reheat gently in the microwave if desired, but they taste best at room temperature once firm.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use old-fashioned oats instead of quick oats?

Yes, but the texture will be slightly chewier and less fine. To maintain the bar’s texture, consider pulsing old-fashioned oats in a food processor before mixing.

What can I do if my caramel filling doesn’t thicken?

If the filling remains runny, return it to the heat and simmer for another minute or two while stirring constantly. Adding a bit more flour dissolved in milk can also help thicken it up.

Caramel Crush Bars Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.6 from 117 reviews

Caramel Crush Bars are a delightful layered dessert featuring a buttery oat crust topped with a rich, homemade caramel filling and a crumbly oat topping. These bars combine a tender, slightly crunchy base with a smooth and sweet caramel center, finished off with a crisp crumble that bakes to perfection. Perfect for a comforting treat or potluck dessert.

• Author: Rico
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: About 12 bars 1x
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Crust:

• 1 1/2 cups quick oats
• 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 cups brown sugar
• 1 1/4 cups butter

Filling:

• 1/4 cup butter
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1/4 cup milk
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 tbsp all-purpose flour

Instructions

1. Melt Butter for Crust: Fully melt 1 1/4 cups butter in a saucepan or microwave to prepare it for mixing with dry ingredients.
2. Mix Crust Ingredients: Combine melted butter with 1 1/2 cups quick oats, 2 1/4 cups flour, and 1 1/2 cups brown sugar, mixing thoroughly to form a crumbly dough.
3. Form and Bake Base: Press about two-thirds of the crust mixture evenly into a greased 9×13-inch pan (optionally lined with parchment paper). Bake in a preheated 325ºF oven for 10 minutes. Remove and allow to cool completely.
4. Reserve Remaining Crust Mixture: Set aside the remaining one-third of the crust mixture to be used later as the topping.
5. Prepare Caramel Filling – Melt Butter: While the crust is baking, melt 1/4 cup butter in a saucepan over medium heat.
6. Add Brown Sugar to Filling: Stir in 1 cup brown sugar until smooth, which should take about one minute.
7. Add Milk, Vanilla, and Flour: Gradually add 1/4 cup milk, 2 teaspoons vanilla extract, and 2 tablespoons flour to the saucepan, stirring well after each addition to combine evenly.
8. Cook Filling to Thicken: Bring the mixture to a gentle boil while stirring continuously. Maintain the boil for about 3 minutes until the filling thickens.
9. Remove Filling from Heat: Once thickened, take the saucepan off the heat to prevent overcooking.
10. Pour Filling Over Crust: When the crust has cooled enough to the touch, evenly pour the caramel filling over the base layer in the pan.
11. Add Topping: Sprinkle the reserved one-third portion of the crust mixture evenly over the caramel layer, creating the crumb topping.
12. Bake Bars Again: Reduce oven temperature to 300ºF. Bake the assembled bars for an additional 20 minutes.
13. Cool and Set: Bars will appear slightly runny coming out of the oven but will firm up as they cool completely before serving.

Notes

• Allow the bars to cool fully before cutting to ensure clean slices and proper set of the caramel.
• Using parchment paper in the pan makes removal and cleanup easier.
• If you prefer, substitute vanilla extract with vanilla bean paste for a richer flavor.
• Quick oats are recommended for texture; avoid instant oats which may become mushy.
• Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for up to a week.

Keywords: Caramel bars, oat crust dessert, caramel crush bars recipe, layered dessert bars, homemade caramel bars