Introduction

Delicious Caramel Crush Bars are a delightful treat featuring a buttery oat crust topped with a rich, creamy caramel layer and a crunchy crumble. Perfect for satisfying your sweet tooth, these bars balance texture and flavor in every bite.

Delicious Caramel Crush Bars Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients

1 ½ cups quick-cooking oats
2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
½ cup packed brown sugar
1 ¼ cups butter, melted
¼ cup butter (for caramel layer)
1 cup brown sugar (for caramel layer)
¼ cup milk
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 tablespoons flour

Instructions

Step 1: In a large bowl, mix the melted butter with oats, flour, and brown sugar until the mixture is crumbly.
Step 2: Grease or line a 9×13-inch pan with parchment. Scoop about two-thirds of the oat mixture into the pan and press it down firmly. Bake at 325ºF for 10 minutes, then remove and let cool.
Step 3: Save the remaining one-third of the oat mixture for the topping.
Step 4: In a saucepan over medium heat, melt ¼ cup butter for the caramel.
Step 5: Add 1 cup brown sugar and stir until smooth and glossy, about one minute.
Step 6: Stir in milk, vanilla extract, and 2 tablespoons flour one at a time, mixing well after each addition.
Step 7: Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, stirring constantly for about 3 minutes until it thickens slightly. Stay attentive to avoid burning.
Step 8: Remove from heat and let the caramel rest briefly.
Step 9: Pour the caramel evenly over the cooled crust.
Step 10: Crumble the reserved oat mixture evenly over the caramel layer.
Step 11: Bake at 300ºF for approximately 20 minutes. The bars may appear soft and jiggly when done; allow them to cool completely to set.

Tips & Variations

For extra texture, consider adding chopped nuts to the oat mixture or topping.
Use parchment paper in the baking pan for easier removal and cleaner slices.
Let the bars cool fully before cutting to prevent crumbling.
Substitute half the brown sugar in the caramel layer with white sugar for a lighter caramel flavor.

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 briefly in the microwave if you prefer a warm caramel sensation.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

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

Quick-cooking oats work best for the right texture, but if you only have old-fashioned oats, pulse them slightly in a food processor to break them down before using.

Why do my bars turn out too soft or runny?

The bars may be underbaked or not cooled completely. Ensure you bake the topping at 300ºF for the full 20 minutes and allow the bars to cool fully before cutting to help them set properly.

Delicious Caramel Crush Bars Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.5 from 133 reviews

Delicious Caramel Crush Bars featuring a buttery oat base and topping with a luscious homemade caramel layer in between. These bars are baked to perfection with a soft, chewy texture and a rich caramel flavor, making them an irresistible treat for any occasion.

Author: Kai
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Total Time: 50 minutes
Yield: 16 bars 1x
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale

For the Base & Topping:

1 ½ cups quick-cooking oats
2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
½ cup packed brown sugar
1 ¼ cups butter, melted

For the Caramel Layer:

¼ cup butter
1 cup brown sugar
¼ cup milk
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 tablespoons flour

Instructions

Prepare the Base Mixture: In a large bowl, combine the melted butter with quick-cooking oats, all-purpose flour, and packed brown sugar. Mix until the ingredients form a crumbly texture, ensuring everything is well incorporated.
Press and Bake the Base: Scoop about two-thirds of the oat mixture into a greased or parchment-lined 9×13-inch baking pan. Press the mixture down firmly to create an even base layer. Bake in a preheated oven at 325ºF (163ºC) for 10 minutes. Remove from the oven and allow it to cool completely.
Reserve Topping Mixture: Set aside the remaining one-third of the oat mixture to be used later as the crumbly topping.
Make the Caramel Filling: In a saucepan over medium heat, melt ¼ cup butter. Add 1 cup brown sugar and stir continuously for about one minute until the mixture becomes smooth and glossy.
Add Remaining Caramel Ingredients: Stir in ¼ cup milk, 2 teaspoons vanilla extract, and 2 tablespoons flour one at a time, mixing thoroughly after each addition to maintain a smooth consistency.
Cook the Caramel Sauce: Bring the mixture to a slow, gentle boil while stirring constantly. Continue to cook and stir for approximately 3 minutes until the caramel thickens slightly. Be attentive during this step to prevent burning or sticking.
Cool the Filling Slightly: Remove the saucepan from heat and let the caramel rest briefly to cool down slightly before assembling the bars.
Assemble the Bars: Pour the caramel filling evenly over the cooled crust in the baking pan.
Add the Topping: Sprinkle the reserved oat mixture evenly over the caramel layer, covering it completely to create a buttery crumb topping.
Bake the Bars: Bake the assembled bars at 300ºF (149ºC) for about 20 minutes. The bars may appear soft and slightly jiggly when removed from the oven, which is normal as they will firm up while cooling.
Cool Completely: Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan at room temperature to set properly before cutting and serving.

Notes

Make sure to press the base layer firmly for a sturdy crust.
Constant stirring of the caramel prevents burning and ensures a smooth texture.
Bars will firm up as they cool, so don’t worry if they look soft when freshly baked.
Use parchment paper for easy removal of bars from the pan.
Store bars in an airtight container to maintain freshness.

Keywords: caramel bars, oat bars, caramel crush bars, dessert bars, homemade caramel, baked desserts, quick oats recipe