Description
Indulge in these luscious Caramel Crush Bars, featuring a buttery oat crust topped with a rich, homemade caramel filling. Perfectly baked to achieve a golden finish, these bars offer a delightful combination of chewy texture and sweet caramel flavor, making them an irresistible treat for any occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Crust
- 1 ¼ cups Butter, melted
- 1 ½ cups Quick oats
- 2 ¼ cups All-purpose flour
- 1 ½ cups Brown sugar
For the Caramel Filling
- ¼ cup Butter, melted
- 1 cup Brown sugar
- ¼ cup Milk
- 2 teaspoons Vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons Flour
Instructions
- Melt the Butter: In a microwave-safe bowl, melt 1 ¼ cups of butter for about 30 seconds until completely liquid.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine melted butter, 1 ½ cups of quick oats, 2 ¼ cups of all-purpose flour, and 1 ½ cups of brown sugar, mixing well to create the crust mixture.
- Press the Crust Mixture: Reserve one-third of the crust mixture and press the remaining two-thirds firmly into the bottom of a greased 9×13 inch baking pan to form the crust layer.
- Prepare the Caramel Filling: In a saucepan over medium heat, melt ¼ cup of butter, stirring continuously until it bubbles to prevent burning.
- Mix in Brown Sugar: Add 1 cup of brown sugar to the melted butter, stirring until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
- Add Milk and Flour: Gradually stir in ¼ cup of milk, then add 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract and 2 tablespoons of flour, mixing thoroughly to incorporate all ingredients without lumps.
- Simmer the Caramel: Bring the caramel mixture to a gentle boil and allow it to simmer for about 3 minutes, stirring frequently until it thickens to a spreadable consistency.
- Assemble the Bars: Pour the prepared caramel filling evenly over the cooled crust layer in the pan.
- Add the Crust Topping: Sprinkle the reserved one-third crust mixture evenly over the caramel filling to create the topping layer.
- Bake to Perfection: Bake in a preheated oven at 300°F (150°C) for 20 minutes until the top is golden and set.
- Cut and Serve: Allow the bars to cool completely, then slice into individual servings and serve at room temperature for the best flavor and texture.
Notes
- These Caramel Crush Bars are perfect for gatherings and can be customized by adding nuts, chocolate chips, or dried fruits to the crust or caramel filling for extra texture and flavor.
- Ensure the caramel is fully cooled before adding the topping to prevent it from sinking into the crust.
- Store bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or refrigerate for longer freshness.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: Caramel Crush Bars, crowd-pleaser, Dessert Recipe, Easy Dessert, indulgent snacks
