Description
Better Than Anything Bars are a deliciously rich treat featuring a buttery cookie base layered with gooey caramel peanut butter sauce and studded with chocolate chips. Easy to make and perfect for any occasion, these bars combine classic flavors into one unbeatable dessert.
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: Preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit and prepare a 9″x13″ baking pan by spraying it with non-stick cooking spray.
- 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, mixing well after each addition until just combined, then stir in the vanilla extract until incorporated.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: Add the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt to the butter mixture and mix until fully combined.
- Stir in Chocolate Chips: Gently fold in the chocolate chips by hand or with a mixer on low speed.
- Bake Base Layer: Spread half of the cookie dough evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking pan and bake for 10 minutes until slightly set.
- Prepare Caramel Sauce: While the dough is baking, place the caramels and evaporated milk in a microwave-safe bowl. Heat on power level 5 for 1 to 2 minutes, stirring every 30 seconds until smooth and combined.
- Add Peanut Butter: Stir the peanut butter into the warm caramel mixture until fully incorporated.
- Layer Caramel Sauce: Spread the caramel peanut butter sauce evenly over the partially baked cookie base.
- Top with Remaining Dough: Drop the remaining cookie dough by teaspoonfuls over the caramel layer, distributing it evenly.
- Bake Final Bars: Bake for 20 minutes at 375 degrees Fahrenheit or until the top dough is golden brown and cooked through.
- Cool and Serve: Allow the bars to cool in the pan before cutting into squares and serving.
Notes
- Use semi-sweet or milk chocolate chips based on your preference.
- If using a larger can of evaporated milk, measure out exactly 5 ounces for the caramel sauce to maintain the right consistency.
- Spraying the baking pan well helps prevent sticking and makes bar removal easier.
- For a different twist, try substituting peanut butter with almond butter or another nut butter.
- Make sure to monitor the bars closely during the final bake to avoid over-browning the top layer.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 280 kcal
- Sugar: 22 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 32 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 40 mg
