Description

Indulgent Caramel Crush Bars are a delightfully chewy and buttery dessert with a rich, gooey caramel filling that melts in your mouth. Perfect for family gatherings or special occasions, these bars combine a crumbly oat and flour crust with a smooth caramel topping that’s easy to make and irresistibly tasty. With a total preparation and cooking time of just under an hour, this dessert is an ideal treat for anyone looking to impress without spending hours in the kitchen.

Ingredients

Scale

Crust Ingredients

1.25 cups butter, melted
1.5 cups quick oats
2.25 cups all-purpose flour
1.5 cups brown sugar

Caramel Filling Ingredients

0.25 cups butter, melted
1 cup brown sugar
0.25 cups milk
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

Instructions

Melt Butter: Melt 1.25 cups of butter in a microwave-safe bowl by heating it for 1-2 minutes until fully liquefied.
Prepare Crust Mixture: In a large mixing bowl, combine the melted butter with 1.5 cups quick oats, 2.25 cups all-purpose flour, and 1.5 cups brown sugar. Stir until the mixture is crumbly yet sticky.
Form Crust: Press two-thirds of the crust mixture evenly into a greased 9×13 inch baking pan to form the base layer.
Bake Crust: Preheat your oven to 325°F (163°C) and bake the crust for 10 minutes. Remove from oven and allow it to cool for a few minutes.
Make Caramel Filling: In a saucepan over medium heat, melt the remaining 0.25 cups of butter. Add 1 cup brown sugar and stir until the mixture is smooth and glossy.
Add Liquids and Flour: Stir in 0.25 cups milk, 2 teaspoons vanilla extract, and 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour. Continue stirring to maintain a smooth caramel mixture.
Simmer Caramel: Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then let it simmer for 3 minutes while stirring constantly to thicken the filling.
Assemble Bars: Pour the caramel filling evenly over the cooled crust and spread it out with a spatula.
Add Topping: Sprinkle the reserved crust crumbs evenly over the caramel layer for added texture and flavor.
Final Bake: Bake the assembled bars at 300°F (149°C) for an additional 20 minutes. Remove from oven and allow to cool completely in the pan before cutting into bars.

Notes

Make sure to grease your pan well to prevent sticking.
Allow the bars to cool completely to ensure the caramel sets properly for easy cutting.
Use quick oats for the best texture in the crust.
Store leftover bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
For a richer flavor, consider using dark brown sugar instead of light brown sugar.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Keywords: Caramel bars, chewy dessert, caramel crush bars, easy dessert recipe, buttery bars, oat bars, caramel filling