Description
Indulgent Caramel Crush Bars are a deliciously sweet and chewy dessert featuring a buttery oat and brown sugar crust, topped with a rich homemade caramel filling and crumbly topping. Perfect for satisfying your caramel cravings at home with simple ingredients and an easy baking process.
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 all-purpose flour
Instructions
- Melt the Butter: Heat the butter in a microwave-safe bowl for about 1-2 minutes until completely liquefied to prepare for the crust mixture.
- Prepare the Crust Mixture: In a large mixing bowl, combine the melted butter with oats, all-purpose flour, and brown sugar. Stir until you get a crumbly yet sticky mixture.
- Form the Crust: Press two-thirds of the mixture evenly into a greased 9×13-inch pan to create the base of the bars.
- Bake the Crust: Preheat the oven to 325°F (163°C). Bake the crust for 10 minutes to set it, then remove and cool for a few minutes.
- Make the Caramel Filling: In a saucepan over medium heat, melt the remaining butter. Add the brown sugar and stir until smooth and glossy.
- Add Remaining Filling Ingredients: Stir in the milk, vanilla extract, and flour, continuously mixing to make a smooth caramel filling.
- Simmer Caramel: Bring the caramel mixture to a gentle boil and let it simmer for 3 minutes, stirring constantly to avoid burning and to thicken the filling.
- Assemble Bars: Pour the caramel filling evenly over the cooled crust and spread it with a spatula.
- Add Topping: Sprinkle the reserved one-third of the crumb crust mixture over the caramel layer to create a crunchy topping.
- Bake the Bars: Reduce oven temperature to 300°F (149°C). Bake for an additional 20 minutes until the topping is lightly golden and the caramel is set.
- Cool and Serve: Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan before cutting into individual bars for serving.
Notes
- Store leftover bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for up to a week to maintain freshness.
- For easier cutting, chill bars in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes before slicing.
- Try adding chopped nuts to the crumb mixture for extra texture and flavor.
- If you prefer a thicker caramel, simmer the filling for an additional minute but be careful not to burn it.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: Caramel bars, Caramel dessert, Oat bars, Brown sugar bars, Homemade caramel, Easy dessert, Sweet bars
