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Better Than Anything Bars Recipe

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★★★★★

4.7 from 148 reviews

Better Than Anything Bars are rich, decadent dessert bars featuring a buttery cookie base, a luscious caramel and peanut butter middle, and a chocolate chip-studded top. These bars combine chewy, creamy, and gooey textures for a delightful treat that’s perfect for any occasion.

Ingredients

Scale

Cookie Dough

  • 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

Caramel Sauce

  • 14 ounces of caramels, unwrapped
  • 5 ounces canned evaporated milk
  • 1/2 cup peanut butter

Instructions

  1. Preparing the Cookie Dough: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Spray a 9”x13” baking pan generously with non-stick cooking spray to ensure easy removal of the bars after baking.
  2. Cream the Butter and Sugars: In a mixing bowl, beat the softened butter, brown sugar, and white sugar together using a hand or stand mixer on medium-high speed until the mixture is light, fluffy, and fully combined.
  3. Add Eggs and Vanilla: Beat in the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Then add the vanilla extract and mix until the dough is fully combined.
  4. Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add these dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring until just combined to avoid overmixing.
  5. Stir in Chocolate Chips: Fold in the chocolate chips by hand or mixer until evenly distributed throughout the dough, which should be thick and slightly sticky.
  6. Bake the First Layer: Spread half of the cookie dough evenly in the prepared baking pan. Bake in the preheated oven for 8-10 minutes until just set and lightly golden around the edges.
  7. Make the Caramel Sauce: While the dough bakes, combine the unwrapped caramels and evaporated milk in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave at power level 5 for 1-2 minutes, stirring every 30 seconds until melted and smooth.
  8. Add Peanut Butter: Stir the peanut butter into the warm caramel mixture until fully incorporated, creating a creamy and nutty caramel sauce.
  9. Assemble the Bars: Remove the baked cookie layer from the oven and pour the caramel sauce evenly over it, spreading with a spatula.
  10. Add Second Layer of Dough: Drop the remaining cookie dough by teaspoonfuls over the caramel layer. It doesn’t need to cover the caramel completely, allowing pockets of caramel and chocolate to peek through.
  11. Bake the Assembled Bars: Return the pan to the oven and bake for an additional 17-20 minutes until the cookie dough is golden brown, the caramel is bubbling, the edges are firm, and the center remains soft and chewy.
  12. Cool and Slice: Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan to let the caramel set. Use a sharp knife to cut into squares before serving.

Notes

  • For easier cutting, chill the bars in the refrigerator for 30 minutes after cooling.
  • You can substitute semi-sweet chocolate chips for milk chocolate for a less sweet version.
  • If you prefer, use caramel bits instead of wrapped caramels for convenience.
  • Ensure the butter is softened, not melted, for the best dough texture.
  • Microwaving times for caramel may vary; stir often to prevent scorching.

Keywords: Better Than Anything Bars, caramel bars, chocolate chip bars, peanut butter caramel bars, dessert bars, easy caramel bars

Find it online: https://ricoloranz.com/better-than-anything-bars-recipe/