Description
Better Than Anything Bars are a decadent layered treat featuring a buttery cookie base, rich caramel sauce, and melty chocolate chips. This easy-to-make dessert combines chewy, gooey textures with a perfect balance of sweet and salty flavors, making it an irresistible crowd-pleaser for any occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
Bars:
- 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
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit and prepare a 9″x13″ baking pan by spraying it with non-stick cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Cream Butter and Sugars: In a mixing bowl, combine the softened butter, brown sugar, and white sugar. Beat them together until the mixture is light, fluffy, and well combined.
- Add Eggs and Vanilla: Add eggs one at a time to the creamed mixture, beating after each addition until just blended. Then add vanilla extract and mix until just combined.
- Incorporate Dry Ingredients: Add the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt to the bowl. Mix until the dough is fully combined but do not overmix.
- Fold in Chocolate Chips: Gently stir in the chocolate chips by hand or with a mixer on low speed until evenly distributed throughout the dough.
- Parbake Dough Base: Spread half of the cookie dough evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking pan. Bake for 10 minutes or until slightly set but not fully baked.
- Prepare Caramel Sauce: While the dough is baking, place caramel pieces and evaporated milk in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave on medium power (power level 5) for 1 to 2 minutes, stirring every 30 seconds until fully melted and smooth. Add peanut butter and stir thoroughly to combine.
- Assemble Bars: Remove the partially baked dough from the oven. Evenly spread the warm caramel sauce over it. Then drop the remaining cookie dough by teaspoons on top of the caramel layer, spacing them evenly.
- Bake Final Bars: Return the pan to the oven and bake for 20 minutes or until the top cookie dough is golden brown and completely cooked through.
- Cool and Serve: Allow the bars to cool in the pan before cutting into squares and serving to ensure clean slices.
Notes
- You can substitute semi-sweet chocolate chips if milk chocolate is not preferred.
- If you prefer a nut-free version, omit the peanut butter in the caramel sauce.
- Be careful not to overbake the first layer so that it remains soft enough to meld with the caramel.
- If caramel sauce gets too thick while cooling, briefly microwave to soften before spreading.
- For easier removal from the pan, line it with parchment paper before adding dough.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar (approximately)
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 24 g
- Sodium: 210 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0.2 g
- Carbohydrates: 38 g
- Fiber: 1.5 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 45 mg
