Description
Indulge in Sweet Decadence with these Better Than Anything Bars, a luscious combination of buttery cookie dough, gooey caramel-peanut butter sauce, and rich chocolate chips. Perfect for sharing or enjoying as a decadent dessert, these bars offer layers of delightful textures and flavors that melt in your mouth.
Ingredients
Scale
Cookie Dough:
- 1 cup butter, softened
- 1 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1/2 cup white sugar
- 2 medium eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 cups milk chocolate chips or semi-sweet chocolate chips
Caramel Sauce:
- 14 ounces caramels, unwrapped (or caramel bits)
- 5 ounces canned evaporated milk
- 1/2 cup peanut butter
Instructions
- Prepare the Cookie Dough Base: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a 9”x13” baking pan with cooking spray. In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter, brown sugar, and white sugar until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
- Add the Eggs and Vanilla: Beat in the eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract until fully incorporated.
- Combine the Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing until just combined; the dough will be thick but manageable.
- Mix in the Chocolate Chips: Fold the chocolate chips into the dough using a spatula or mixer on low speed, finishing by hand to avoid overmixing.
- Bake the First Layer: Scoop half of the cookie dough into the prepared pan and spread evenly to form a smooth layer. Bake for 8-10 minutes until lightly golden but not fully set.
- Make the Caramel Sauce: While the dough bakes, combine caramels and evaporated milk in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave at medium (power level 5) for 1-2 minutes, stirring every 30 seconds until fully melted and smooth.
- Add Peanut Butter to the Caramel: Stir peanut butter into the caramel mixture until completely combined and smooth.
- Assemble the Bars: After the first dough layer cools slightly, spread the caramel sauce evenly over it. Drop spoonfuls of remaining dough over the caramel layer, spreading is not necessary as it will spread while baking.
- Finish Baking: Bake for an additional 17-20 minutes until the top dough is golden brown and set.
- Cool and Serve: Allow bars to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack. Slice into squares and serve, enjoying the rich, decadent flavors in small portions.
Notes
- Use medium heat in the microwave to prevent burning the caramel.
- Smaller bar portions are ideal due to the richness of the dessert.
- You may substitute semi-sweet chocolate chips if you prefer less sweetness.
- Ensure caramel sauce is warm but not hot when spreading over the first cookie layer for easier assembly.
- Allow bars to cool fully before slicing to maintain clean edges.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar (approx. 2x2 inch square)
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 25g
- Sodium: 180mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0.2g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 45mg
Keywords: Better Than Anything Bars, Caramel Bars, Chocolate Chip Bars, Peanut Butter Bars, Dessert Bars, Easy Baked Bars
