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A bit of business first – I now have a weekly email newsletter!! This is something that I’ve been wanting to do for months now, and I’m glad that I finally got it all together. If you subscribe, every Saturday morning you will get an email with the week’s posts, a few things I’ve seen around the web that have caught my eye, and occasionally, some new and exclusive content! You can subscribe here.
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Is there one thing that you have struggled with in the kitchen forever? I know a lot of people struggle with yeast, others with making a perfectly risen cupcake. Me – it’s caramel. We have a love/hate relationship. I love homemade caramel. And when it works for me, I’m on cloud 9. But it is one of those things that is never very consistent for me.
But for some reason, when I saw this recipe, I knew I wanted to try these bars – even though the caramel is made from scratch. Well, let me tell you – it really doesn’t get much easier than this. This caramel was probably the easiest I’ve made. No thermometer. No crazy ingredients. And it all worked perfectly the first time!
I took these bars to a family dinner and they were devoured – especially by the kids. They all thought they tasted like Twix candy bars – but better. In fact, when they were gone, a few of the kids came into the kitchen looking for more and then were very disappointed to find out that they were gone.
So I’m going to say that these were a huge success. And maybe – just maybe – I have conquered my homemade caramel nemesis. I do know that only time will tell, because there will always be more caramel!!
A cookie base is topped with a thin layer of chocolate and a homemade caramel.
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 3/4 cup butter, at room temperature
- 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup milk chocolate chips
- 3/4 cup butter
- 1 cup packed brown sugar
- 1/3 cup light corn syrup
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350F. Spray a 13x9-inch baking pan with non-stick cooking spray.
- In the bowl of a mixer, combine the flour, butter, brown sugar and salt. Beat until it resembles coarse crumbs. Press into the prepared pan. Bake in the preheated oven for 15 minutes, or until golden brown. Sprinkle the chocolate chips over the hot crust immediately after removing from the oven. Let sit for 5 minutes, or until the chocolate chips turn glossy and soft. Use a spatula to spread the chocolate evenly. Set aside.
- In a 2-quart saucepan, combine the butter, brown sugar, corn syrup and vanilla. Cook over medium heat, stirring frequently. Bring to a boil. Stop stirring and allow to boil for 4 minutes. Gently pour over the chocolate layer. Cool completely. Refrigerate until the chocolate and caramel are set, about 1 hour.
- Bring to room temperature to cut into 2x1-inch bars.
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- slightly adapted from Favorite Brand Name Best-Loved Recipes
More caramel love:
Homemade Caramel Apples from Clawson Live
Baked Apple Dumplings with Gooey Caramel Sauce from Tracey’s Culinary Adventures
Pumpkin Cheesecake with Caramel Sauce from Taste and Tell
Irresistible! Those bars are really great.
Cheers,
Rosa
I’m also intimidated by homemade caramel! Good to know this recipe isn’t too difficult. I can definitely see how these would be gobbled up really quickly! Signed up for your newsletter
SO you’re ssaying I can have Twiz at my fingertips whenever I want? I’m in trouble!
I love caramel anyting and Twix and the fact that I can make them is just a little too good to be true!
Caramel without a thermometer? Yes please! Gorgeous bars!!
I think homemade caramel is on the same list as macarons for some reason. Need to make but I’m less scared of yeast so it’s on the hold list lol
I so need to conquer my homemade caramel fear. I’ve had it turn out about half the time. I am SO not a candy maker but these look so good I’ll need to give them a shot!
Yay for your newsletter, I can’t wait to read it! And these bars – fantastic! I made something a little bit similar last weekend and I love the flavor combo!
Fool-proof caramel? Sounds to good to be true. I think I’m in love!
I can see why these were devoured, they look amazing!
These look super yummy! And I subscribed
Super excited!
I’m a yeast-struggler. But I’m sure it would be bad with caramel, although you’re totally inspiring me to go out of my comfort zone because this looks amazing!
Oh, I love homemade caramel. These look decadent!
Love that caramel on top!
Yum! I totally need a whole batch of these to myself after the day I have had! And I am super excited for the weekly newsletter! That way I won’t miss anything! I hope you’ll include the links to freelance work you do that isn’t featured here on your blog.
Caramel never turns out for me, and this looks so good I will have to give it a try!
These look totally awesome!! Miss you!
I’ve never braved homemade caramel…but these definitely look more than worth it.
THat caramel looks incredible! I love how thick it is and how easy it sounds to make!
better than twix! head exploding, that’s my favorite candy bar. MUST try these!
I’ve made homemade caramel a few times, but your version looks MUCH more approachable! mmm it pairs wonderfully with milk chocolate too. like a twix bar, but BETTER!
i love caramel of this texture–where you can sink your teeth into it and meet with just enough resistence to leave tooth marks.
I have no problem baking with yeast or making cakes but when it comes to caramel, I’m a complete disaster!
Will have to try your version. Thanks Deborah!
I use to not really like caramel, but then I discovered the power of homemade caramel. This looks great.
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I am not sure what I did wrong, but the caramel was rock hard…had to throw out the whole thing. I followed the directions exactly so I have no idea why it turned out like that. This recipe is not good!!!
Thank you! I was looking for a dairy free caramel and you just gave me one thank you so much!!!!!!
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