Print

Better Than Anything Bars Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.4 from 107 reviews

Better Than Anything Bars are a decadently sweet treat featuring a rich cookie dough base layered with a creamy peanut butter caramel center and studded with chocolate chips. These bars combine buttery, chewy texture with gooey caramel and melty chocolate, making them an irresistible dessert perfect 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
  • 5 ounces canned evaporated milk
  • 1/2 cup peanut butter

Instructions

  1. Preheat and prepare pan: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Spray a 9″x13″ baking pan generously with non-stick cooking spray to prevent sticking.
  2. Cream butter and sugars: In a mixing bowl, beat the softened butter, brown sugar, and white sugar using a hand or stand mixer on medium-high speed until light, fluffy, and well combined.
  3. Add eggs and vanilla: Beat in the eggs one at a time, ensuring each is fully incorporated before adding the next, then mix in the vanilla extract until the dough comes together.
  4. Mix dry ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add this to the wet ingredients, mixing just until combined to avoid overworking the dough.
  5. Fold in chocolate chips: Gently fold the chocolate chips into the dough to evenly distribute without breaking them up.
  6. Bake the first layer: Spread half of the cookie dough evenly in the prepared pan and bake for 8-10 minutes until just set and lightly golden around the edges.
  7. Prepare caramel sauce: While the dough is baking, combine unwrapped caramels and evaporated milk in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave on medium power (level 5) for 1-2 minutes, stirring every 30 seconds until smooth and melted. Stir in the peanut butter until fully incorporated.
  8. Assemble bars: Remove the pan from the oven. Pour the caramel sauce evenly over the baked cookie layer. Drop the remaining dough by teaspoonfuls over the caramel layer, allowing some caramel and chocolate to peek through.
  9. Bake assembled bars: Return to the oven and bake for an additional 17-20 minutes until the top dough is golden brown and caramel is bubbling. The edges should be firm but the center soft.
  10. Cool and slice: Let the bars cool completely in the pan to allow the caramel to set for easier slicing. Use a sharp knife to cut into squares before serving.

Notes

  • Chocolate Chips: Feel free to use dark or white chocolate chips for varied flavor profiles.
  • Peanut Butter Substitutes: Almond butter or sunflower butter can replace peanut butter for a nut-free option.
  • Caramel Alternatives: Caramel bits or homemade caramel sauce work well if individually wrapped caramels are unavailable.
  • Adding Nuts: Consider mixing chopped pecans, walnuts, or almonds into the dough or sprinkling on top before baking for added crunch.

Keywords: Better Than Anything Bars, caramel bars, chocolate chip bars, peanut butter caramel dessert, rich cookie bars, gooey caramel bars

Find it online: https://islawhite.com/better-than-anything-bars-recipe/