These Chocolate Caramel Butter Bars remind me of a shortbread cookie that was kissed by chocolate and slathered with caramel. The crumble topping is laced with slivered almonds and covers the decadent chocolate and caramel filling for a wonderful party dessert. That is if you feel like sharing.
I decided on updating this post with a video. My first actually! I hope you enjoy. This is perfect for game day parties and it’s a crowd pleaser.
Know what I love about these Chocolate Caramel Butter Bars? They have a buttery, crunchy texture like a shortbread cookie on the outside and a soft, gooey center. I mean how can you resist? Even though it’s warm out, this is worth turning on that oven. I make these early in the day so the house doesn’t heat up.
See that gooey center? It’s made up of chocolate chips and caramel that are placed on top of the crust after a pre-bake. The other half of the buttery crumb dough goes on top and then finishes baking. The result are these heavenly, rich and buttery bar cookies.
Worthy of bringing to a party, which is exactly what I did with these, because you’ll want to eat all of these Chocolate Caramel Butter Bars. Be kind and share!
Bar cookies are probably my favorite. Like blondies and brownies. Well you get my point, I love desserts like these that are hand held. Not that they last long, but no plate and fork required here.
If you like blondies try my Chocolate Malt Ball Blondies or White Chocolate Caramel Blondies. If shortbread is more your thing try my Espresso Chocolate Toffee Almond Shortbread Bars or these White Chocolate Cherry Pie Shortbread Bars.
Get a big, cold glass of milk and dig into one of these. Or if you’re like me, you’ll have two because they are that good. For taste testing purposes of course. Enjoy!
This recipe first appeared on Kevin Is Cooking in July 2016.
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Chocolate Caramel Butter Bars
Ingredients
- Crust and Topping:
- 1 1/2 cups butter room temperature
- 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
- 1 cup sugar
- 2 tbsp vanilla extract
- 4 cups all purpose flour
- pinch of salt
- 1/2 cup slivered almonds
- Filling:
- 1 cup caramel sauce (See Note 1)
- 1 cup chocolate chips
- pinch sea salt flakes
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 325°F. Line a 9x13” baking dish with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl combine butter and sugars, mix until creamy and add the vanilla. Mix until combined.
- Slowly add the flour to the butter mixture on low speed until a soft dough forms.
- Using your hands press 1/3 of the dough into the prepared baking pan, and bake for 20 minutes or until the edges are a pale golden brown.
- Sprinkle chocolate chips on top of partially baked crust. Pour caramel sauce over chocolate chips, then sea salt flakes. Crumble the remaining dough and slivered almonds over top.
- Continue baking until the topping is firm and lightly golden, about 25-30 minutes.
- Let cool before cutting into 24 bars.
Notes
The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist's advice.
Yikes! I would not be able to resist these Kevin. That crumb topping?! OMG! They look amazing! Love the video too!
Thanks so much Mary Ann. Thought I’d give video a shot and I had so much fun making it and editing, too. As for these bars, they are one of my favs! Thanks again friend. 🙂
My favourite ingredients in one recipe! Amazing! I am preparing them tomorrow!
So how did they turn out for you? This is a great one! Thanks for giving them a try Agness.
A+ for your video, Kevin! Woo hoo for you! These look amazing (as usual). But just one thing? Why would you tempt me so much with these bites of deliciousness in January when I’m trying to be (a little) good??? Just kidding 😀 It is Friday after all and everyone knows that calories don’t count on the weekend. Right? Right 😉 Just the name alone is drool worthy, not to mention when you picked up that bar in the video and it was all caramelly. YUMMMMMMM! Pinning! Have a good one, my friend!
Oh thanks so much Dawn. It is the first of many to come!
YAAAASSSS! What a great adaptation of plain caramel bars! After seeing this, who will make regular ones again? Not this chocolate-lover! Pinned!
Thanks Lindsey, your salted caramel bars started it all! I’m almost afraid to admit how many times I’ve made yours. If it weren’t so darn hot out I’d ride my bike (need to due to expanding waistline). 🙂
Where do you put the almonds?
Hi Kim, go ahead and sprinkle the almonds on top with the remaining dough prior to final baking. Sorry for any confusion.
Thanks! Making them today 🙂
These have been making me drool for days, Kevin! I’m going to make a batch and immediately give 90%, wait, 85%, at least 75% to the neighbors so I don’t eat them ALL myself! 🙂
Now that’s smart because I could easily eat more, but these are decadent. Although I guess I could have some self restraint, I no my limitations… Thanks Marissa!:)
Chocolate caramel butter bars??? Omg you totally had me at that title. Those words just belong together. These are incredible and you totally have me craving them!
Decadent little devils, right? So good. Hope you give the a go Allie. Your Chocolate Cherry Galette is on my to-do list! 😉
This is officially my dream dessert.
That says a lot coming from you, thanks Jessie. Love your illustrations! 🙂
If you need some help (for tasting purposes only) let me know. GREG
Will keep that in mind next time and call ahead Greg, thanks! 😉
Oh wow, now this is decadent. The crumb on top is what sells it for me. I can just imagine how delicious this is and how much of a buzz I’d be feeling afterwards. I’ll have mine with coffee, thanks!
Between these and coffee, yes please! When do your travels commence? Your house is quite beautiful and the photos quite lived up to the advertisment.
Talking about Blondies, I don’t know why but so far it’s seems to be the most complicated dessert. Seriously, my first macarons weren’t perfect, but they still turned out good. As for blondies, I’ve attempted them quite a number of times, and only once I was satisfied enough. I mean, they’re supposed to be a simple stuff to handle, right? Not for me I guess, haha. These tarts are super delicious and decadent! I do love the combination of crumbly buttery base and caramel filling. It’s the unbeatable dessert:)
Thanks Ben, these are indulgent! Just follow my instructions and I’m sure your attempt at blondies will result in your being satisfied. Probably the easiest dessert treat I make, really.
Oh, I could do some damage to these bars, Kevin! I love that crumble on top. But then the chocolate + caramel combo is clearly begging to be gobbled up in one bite. If only I had a gigantic tray of these bad boys sitting on my desk right now… yum! 🙂
You and me both. Good thing I got the whole batch out of the house for the party. “Danger Will Robinson!”