Caramel Crush Bars Dessert Recipe

Introduction

Caramel Crush Bars Dessert offers a perfect balance of buttery oats and rich, gooey caramel in every chewy bite. This treat combines a tender oat crust with a luscious caramel filling, topped with a golden crumble that’s irresistible for any sweet tooth. Ideal for sharing or savoring solo, these bars are a delightful comfort dessert.

Ingredients

• For the Crust and Topping:
  • 1 ½ cups quick oats
  • 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 ½ cups brown sugar
  • 1 ¼ cups butter, melted
• For the Caramel Filling:
  • ¼ cup butter
  • 1 cup brown sugar
  • ¼ cup milk
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 2 tbsp flour

Instructions

1. Step 1: Melt 1 ¼ cups butter. In a large bowl, combine melted butter, quick oats, flour, and brown sugar. Stir until crumbly. Press two-thirds of this mixture firmly into a greased 9×13-inch baking pan to form the crust.
2. Step 2: Preheat oven to 325ºF (160ºC). Bake the crust for 10 minutes to set it, then let it cool slightly.
3. Step 3: In a saucepan over medium heat, melt ¼ cup butter. Stir in 1 cup brown sugar until smooth. Slowly add milk, vanilla extract, and flour while stirring constantly. Simmer for about 3 minutes until thickened and glossy.
4. Step 4: Pour the warm caramel evenly over the baked crust. Sprinkle the remaining oat mixture on top to create a golden crumble layer.
5. Step 5: Reduce oven temperature to 300ºF (150ºC) and bake for 20 minutes. The caramel may look soft when hot but will firm up as it cools.
6. Step 6: Allow the bars to cool completely before slicing to ensure clean, chewy squares that hold their shape.

Tips & Variations

• Use unsalted butter for a richer flavor and better texture in the bars.
• Light brown sugar offers mild sweetness; dark brown adds deeper caramel notes.
• Quick oats create a tender crust, while rolled oats add a rustic chew.
• Try adding a pinch of sea salt on top for Salted Caramel Bars or mix in chocolate chips for Chocolate Caramel Bars.

Storage

Store Caramel Crush Bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. They keep fresh in the refrigerator for up to one week—chill slightly for a chewier texture. For longer storage, freeze individual bars for up to 2 months and thaw at room temperature before serving. Reheat gently in the microwave for 10–15 seconds to restore the caramel’s gooey consistency.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make Caramel Crush Bars ahead of time?

Yes, these bars actually taste better the next day as the flavors meld and the caramel sets nicely.

What can I use instead of oats?

You can substitute crushed digestive biscuits or graham crackers for a smoother, shortbread-like base.

Caramel Crush Bars Dessert Recipe

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★★★★★

4.5 from 790 reviews

Caramel Crush Bars Dessert is a delightful treat featuring a buttery oat and flour crust, topped with a luscious homemade caramel layer and finished with a golden oat crumble. Perfectly chewy and gooey, this dessert combines nostalgic comfort with rich, indulgent flavors that are easy to make and sure to impress any sweet tooth.

• Author: Rami
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 16 bars 1x
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

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For the Crust and Topping:

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

For the Caramel Filling:

• ¼ cup unsalted butter
• 1 cup brown sugar
• ¼ cup milk
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 tbsp all-purpose flour

Instructions

1. Prepare the Crust: Melt 1 ¼ cups of unsalted butter, then combine it with quick oats, all-purpose flour, and brown sugar in a large mixing bowl. Stir the mixture until it becomes crumbly. Press two-thirds of this mixture firmly into a greased 9×13-inch baking pan to form the crust.
2. Parbake the Base: Preheat the oven to 325ºF (160ºC). Bake the crust for 10 minutes, just enough to set the base without overbaking. Allow the crust to cool slightly while preparing the caramel filling.
3. Cook the Caramel Layer: In a saucepan, melt ¼ cup of unsalted butter over medium heat. Stir in 1 cup brown sugar until smooth. Gradually add the milk, vanilla extract, and flour, stirring constantly. Simmer the mixture for about 3 minutes until it thickens and turns glossy with a rich caramel aroma.
4. Assemble the Layers: Pour the warm caramel filling evenly over the baked crust. Sprinkle the remaining oat flour and brown sugar mixture on top as a golden crumble finish.
5. Bake to Perfection: Lower the oven temperature to 300ºF (150ºC) and bake the assembled bars for an additional 20 minutes. The caramel will appear soft when hot but will firm up as it cools.
6. Cool and Slice: Let the Caramel Crush Bars cool completely before slicing. This step ensures that the bars hold their shape and have a chewy, satisfying texture.

Notes

• Do not overcook the caramel to prevent it from becoming hard and brittle.
• For a salted caramel twist, sprinkle sea salt flakes on the caramel layer before baking.
• Add chocolate chips to the crust or drizzle melted chocolate on top after baking for chocolate caramel bars.
• Use quick oats for a tender crust and rolled oats for a more rustic texture.
• Store bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or refrigerate for up to 1 week.
• Freeze individual bars for up to 2 months and thaw at room temperature before serving.
• Reheat gently in the microwave for 10-15 seconds for gooey caramel.

Keywords: Caramel crush bars, caramel dessert, oat crust bars, homemade caramel bars, easy caramel bars, chewy caramel bars, dessert bars