Salted Chewy Caramel Bars
I know this isn’t helping with your New Year’s Resolutions so….Happy New Year!
Yes I know how odd it is to start off the New Year with a delicious, chewy, and decadent dessert bar such as this. I was actually supposed to post this a little earlier but I was way too excited about my honeymoon. Now that I am back, let’s get back to work shall we? When I say get back to work I mean, me making delicious food and you guys making and enjoying these dishes. Don’t worry, I know that you guys will appreciate some healthier or lighter recipes for the New Year and trust me, they are coming. Just post this recipe on Pinterest and come back it to later.
Okay, can I tell you guys something? I am really sad that I missed Christmas this past year!
I was in Punta Cana the week of Christmas enjoying this view…
And this view!
I know! I know! How can I complain, right? Don’t get me wrong. I am not complaining about being away on my honeymoon. It was amazing and beautiful. The resort where we stayed was so nice and accommodating they served an amazing 5 course meal, displayed a Nativity Scene, and performed a Christmas Show that included a lot of American Christmas Classics! It was nice. What makes me feel as though I missed Christmas was because there was because I was a in a bathing suit and snorkeled that day; I wasn’t in the mall irritated at people who were doing their last minute Christmas shopping (like I would’ve done), and I didn’t get to watch How The Grinch Stole Christmas, Rudolph the Rednose Reindeer, or Home Alone! OH and a Christmas Story that play for 24 hours straight on TBS. Those are the things I missed. My husband feels the same way too! We decided the next time we decide to go out of town during Christmas that we will have a tree, open gift, play Christmas music all day long, and then go out and snorkel J. It is funny because when we planned the trip I didn’t think about missing Christmas or how I would feel being away for the holidays. I just needed the much needed vacation. But, if you are a Christmas-junky like me and you go away for the holidays, trust me when I say you will miss Christmas at home unless you are having it wherever you go.
We bake things for no reason just because it is the holidays. No need to worry we have a lot of men in our family who takes care of baked goods for us. These Salted Chewy Caramel Bars were no exception to the norm. Typically I bake two different types of cookies, a cake, a candy dish, and dessert bars. That’s just what I make. Don’t forget I said my mom also bakes a too. I came across this recipe in one of the many holiday baked good magazine I collect every year. I liked this recipe because it seemed simple and quick enough. I didn’t want to make anything too overwhelming because I was too excited about my trip and these were perfect! I know you may not be thinking about making any desserts right now coming off your sugar high or just starting your New Year off to a healthy start and I respect that. However, they will be here when you are ready to cheat a little bit.
Happy Salted Chewy Caramel Bars & Happy New Year!
- Recipe adapted from Better Homes and Gardens “Christmas Cookies” Special Edition magazine.
Salted Chewy Caramel Bars
- Total Time: 50 mins
- Yield: 40-60 1x
Description
Salted Chewy Caramel Bars is filled with caramel, chocolate, and delicious salted cashews! These Salted Chewy Caramel Bars will take your breath away.
Ingredients
- 1 c. unsalted butter, softened
- 1 c. sugar
- 1 c. lite brown sugar
- 2 eggs
- 1 1/2 c. flour
- 1 c. pretzels, finely crushed
- 1/2 tsp. salt
- 1 tsp. baking soda
- 2 c. quick oats
- 14 oz. can sweetened condensed milk
- 11 oz. caramel bits, package
- 2 tsp. vanilla extract
- 1 c. milk chocolate chips
- 1 c. salted cashews, chopped
- 1/4 tsp. fleur de sel/ sea salt
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 Degrees and Line a 15X10 inch or 9X13 baking pan with parchment paper or spray with baking spray.
- In a large bowl, beat butter with a hand held or standing mixer on medium high. Add both sugars (brown and white sugar). Beat until combined and fluffy, scraping sides of the bowl. Beat in eggs until well combined. In a separate medium size bowl, combine flour, pretzels, 1/2 tsp. salt, and baking soda. Gradually beat flour mixture into butter mixture. Stir in oats and set aside 1 cup of oat mixture. Press remaining oat mixture into the prepared baking dish.
- In a medium saucepan combining the sweetened condensed milk and the caramel bits. Heat and stir mixture over medium low heat until caramel melts and mixture is smooth. Remove from heat. Stir in vanilla extract. Pour the caramel mixture over the oat mixture in baking pan. Sprinkle with the chocolate chips, cashews, fleur de sel, and remaining oat mixture. For a 10X15 baking sheet bake for 20 to 25 minutes, if using a 9X13 baking sheet bake for 25 to 30 minutes.
- Allow to cool and cut in squares and place on a cooling rack.
- Prep Time: 20 mins
- Cook Time: 30 mins
- Category: Dessert
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