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Caramel Crush Bars Dessert Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 4.1 from 43 reviews
  • Author: Kimberly
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 35 minutes
  • Total Time: 50 minutes
  • Yield: 15 servings
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Description

Caramel Crush Bars are a decadent dessert featuring a buttery oat and flour crust topped with a rich, creamy caramel filling. These bars combine a tender baked crust with a luscious caramel layer, finished with a crumbly topping for a perfect balance of textures and flavors. Ideal for gatherings, they are easy to prepare and guaranteed to satisfy any sweet tooth.

Ingredients

Crust

  • 1 1/2 cups quick oats
  • 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 1/2 cups brown sugar
  • 1 1/4 cups butter, melted

Caramel Filling

  • 1/4 cup butter
  • 1 cup brown sugar
  • 1/4 cup milk
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 2 tbsp flour

Instructions

  1. Prepare the crust: Melt 1 1/4 cups butter completely. In a large bowl, combine the melted butter with 1 1/2 cups quick oats, 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour, and 1 1/2 cups brown sugar. Mix thoroughly until fully incorporated. Press about two-thirds of this mixture firmly into a greased or parchment-lined 9×13 inch baking pan to form an even crust layer. Bake the crust at 325ºF (163ºC) for 10 minutes, then remove from oven and allow it to cool to the touch. Keep the remaining one-third of the crust mixture to use later as the topping.
  2. Make the caramel filling: In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt 1/4 cup butter. Once melted, add 1 cup brown sugar and stir until smooth, about 1 minute. Gradually add 1/4 cup milk, 2 tsp vanilla extract, and 2 tbsp flour one at a time while stirring continuously to avoid lumps. Bring the mixture to a slow boil, then continue cooking and stirring for about 3 minutes until it thickens slightly. Remove from heat immediately to prevent burning.
  3. Assemble and bake: Pour the caramel filling evenly over the cooled crust layer in the baking pan. Sprinkle the reserved one-third crust mixture evenly over the caramel layer as a crumb topping. Bake the assembled bars at 300ºF (149ºC) for an additional 20 minutes. The bars may look slightly runny when removed from the oven, but they will firm up completely as they cool.
  4. Cool and serve: Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan before cutting into squares to serve. Cooling ensures the caramel sets properly for clean slices and optimal texture.

Notes

  • Use quick oats for a smoother texture in the crust.
  • Be sure to stir continuously when cooking the caramel filling to prevent burning and ensure even thickening.
  • The lower baking temperature during the second bake prevents the caramel from burning while setting the topping.
  • Allow bars to cool fully before cutting to avoid messy slices.
  • Can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerated for up to a week.

Find it online: https://slsrecipes.com/caramel-crush-bars-dessert-recipe/