Description
Better Than Anything Bars are a decadent layered treat featuring a buttery cookie base, a rich homemade caramel peanut butter sauce, and a gooey chocolate chip topping. This easy-to-make dessert combines classic flavors and textures for a delightful crowd-pleasing bar.
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 and Prepare Pan: Preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit and spray a 9″x13″ baking pan 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 in the eggs one at a time, ensuring each is fully incorporated before adding the next. Mix in the vanilla extract until just combined.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: Add the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt to the wet ingredients and mix until fully combined, forming the cookie dough.
- Stir in Chocolate Chips: Fold the chocolate chips into the dough by hand or gently with a mixer to evenly distribute.
- First Bake of Dough: Press half of the cookie dough evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking pan and bake for 10 minutes until lightly set but not fully browned.
- Make Caramel Sauce: While the dough bakes, combine the caramels and evaporated milk in a microwave-safe bowl. Heat on power level 5 for 1-2 minutes, stirring every 30 seconds until melted and smooth.
- Add Peanut Butter to Caramel: Stir the peanut butter into the melted caramel mixture until fully combined and creamy.
- Assemble Layers: Pour and spread the caramel-peanut butter sauce evenly over the partially baked dough in the pan. Drop the remaining cookie dough by teaspoons over the caramel layer in small dollops evenly distributed.
- Final Bake: Bake the assembled bars for 20 minutes or until the top cookie dough is golden brown and fully cooked through.
- Cool and Serve: Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan before cutting into squares and serving.
Notes
- Use unsalted butter for better control of the salt level in the bars.
- Chilling the dough before baking can help control spreading but is not required.
- If you prefer a different chocolate flavor, substitute dark or white chocolate chips as desired.
- For easier caramel melting, chop caramels into smaller pieces if using unwrapped cubes.
- Store bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for longer freshness.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar (approximate)
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 22 g
- Sodium: 180 mg
- Fat: 16 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 38 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 45 mg
