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Delicious Caramel Crush Bars Recipe

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★★★★★

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.

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

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. Reserve Topping Mixture: Set aside the remaining one-third of the oat mixture to be used later as the crumbly topping.
  4. 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.
  5. 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.
  6. 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.
  7. Cool the Filling Slightly: Remove the saucepan from heat and let the caramel rest briefly to cool down slightly before assembling the bars.
  8. Assemble the Bars: Pour the caramel filling evenly over the cooled crust in the baking pan.
  9. Add the Topping: Sprinkle the reserved oat mixture evenly over the caramel layer, covering it completely to create a buttery crumb topping.
  10. 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.
  11. 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

Find it online: https://kitchenwithkai.com/delicious-caramel-crush-bars-recipe/