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Delicious Caramel Crush Bars Recipe

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4.6 from 87 reviews

Delicious Caramel Crush Bars feature a buttery oat base topped with a rich, homemade caramel layer and finished with a crumbly oat topping. This easy-to-make dessert bar balances textures and flavors perfectly, making it a crowd-pleaser for any occasion.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Base & Topping:

  • 1 ½ cups quick-cooking oats
  • 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
  • ½ cup packed brown sugar
  • 1 ¼ cups butter, melted

For the Caramel Layer:

  • ¼ cup butter
  • 1 cup brown sugar
  • ¼ cup milk
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 2 tablespoons flour

Instructions

  1. Prepare the base mixture: In a large bowl, combine melted butter, quick-cooking oats, all-purpose flour, and brown sugar until the mixture becomes crumbly.
  2. Press and bake the crust: Scoop about two-thirds of the oat mixture into a greased or parchment-lined 9×13-inch pan. Press it down firmly to form an even layer. Bake in a preheated oven at 325ºF for 10 minutes. Remove and allow to cool.
  3. Reserve remaining oat mixture: Keep the remaining one-third of the oat mixture aside for the topping.
  4. Melt butter for caramel: In a saucepan over medium heat, melt ¼ cup butter, stirring gently.
  5. Add brown sugar: Stir in 1 cup brown sugar until the mixture is smooth and glossy, about one minute.
  6. Incorporate milk, vanilla, and flour: Stir in ¼ cup milk, 2 teaspoons vanilla extract, and 2 tablespoons flour one at a time, mixing thoroughly after each addition.
  7. Cook caramel to thicken: Bring the mixture to a slow, gentle boil, stirring constantly for about 3 minutes until it thickens slightly. Stay attentive to avoid burning.
  8. Remove from heat and rest: Take the saucepan off the heat and let the caramel mixture rest briefly.
  9. Pour caramel over crust: Once the crust has cooled, evenly pour the warm caramel layer over it.
  10. Add crumbly topping: Sprinkle the reserved oat mixture evenly over the caramel layer, covering it like a buttery blanket.
  11. Bake the assembled bars: Bake the whole pan at 300ºF for approximately 20 minutes. The bars may seem soft and slightly jiggly when done but will set as they cool.

Notes

  • Allow bars to cool completely before cutting for clean slices.
  • For a firmer caramel, extend baking time by a few minutes but watch carefully to prevent burning.
  • Use parchment paper for easier removal and clean-up.
  • Quick-cooking oats can be substituted with old-fashioned oats for a chewier texture.
  • Store bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.

Keywords: caramel bars, oatmeal bars, dessert bars, caramel crush bars, easy baked desserts, oat topping, homemade caramel

Find it online: https://flavorsbymaya.com/delicious-caramel-crush-bars-recipe/