Description
Better Than Anything Bars are a rich and indulgent treat combining a buttery cookie base, gooey caramel peanut butter sauce, and melty chocolate chips. This easy-to-make layered dessert bar is perfect for satisfying sweet cravings and impressing guests with its decadent flavor and texture.
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 the 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, cream together the softened butter, brown sugar, and white sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy.
- Add Eggs and Vanilla: Beat the eggs in one at a time, ensuring each is blended before adding the next, then mix in the vanilla extract until just combined.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: Add the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt to the wet mixture, mixing thoroughly until fully incorporated.
- Stir in Chocolate Chips: Fold in the milk or semi-sweet chocolate chips by hand or gently with the mixer to evenly distribute them through the dough.
- First Bake of Dough: Press half of the cookie dough evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan and bake for 10 minutes to create the base layer.
- Prepare Caramel Sauce: While the base bakes, place the unwrapped caramels and evaporated milk into a microwave-safe bowl. Heat on power level 5 for 1-2 minutes, stirring every 30 seconds, until melted and smooth. Stir in the peanut butter until completely combined.
- Layer Caramel Sauce: Spread the warm caramel peanut butter mixture evenly over the partially baked cookie base.
- Add Remaining Dough: Drop the remaining cookie dough by teaspoonfuls over the caramel layer, distributing evenly but leaving some caramel visible.
- Final Bake: Bake the assembled bars for 20 minutes or until the top dough is golden brown and the bars are cooked through.
Notes
- Use room temperature butter for easier creaming and better texture.
- If you prefer a softer caramel layer, slightly reduce baking time on the final bake to avoid overbaking.
- You can substitute peanut butter with almond butter for variation.
- Ensure to stir caramel mixture frequently during microwaving to prevent burning.
- Allow bars to cool completely before cutting to maintain shape when slicing.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 25 g
- Sodium: 180 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 42 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 40 mg
