Better Than Anything Bars Recipe

Introduction

Better Than Anything Bars are a decadent treat combining a soft, buttery base with rich chocolate chips and a luscious caramel-peanut butter topping. These bars bring the best of every flavor into one irresistible dessert that’s perfect for gatherings or a cozy night in.

Ingredients

• 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
• 14 ounces caramels, unwrapped (or caramel bits)
• 5 ounces canned evaporated milk
• 1/2 cup peanut butter

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Prepare a 9″x13″ baking pan by spraying it with non-stick cooking spray.
2. Step 2: In a mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter, brown sugar, and white sugar until light and fluffy.
3. Step 3: Add the eggs one at a time, beating after each addition until just combined. Stir in the vanilla extract.
4. Step 4: Mix in the flour, baking soda, and salt until fully combined. Then gently fold in the chocolate chips.
5. Step 5: Press half of the cookie dough evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking pan. Bake for 8-10 minutes until set.
6. Step 6: While the dough is baking, place the caramels and evaporated milk into a microwave-safe bowl.
7. Step 7: Microwave on medium power (level 5) for 1-2 minutes, stirring every 30 seconds until the caramels melt and are combined with the milk. Add more time if needed, stirring frequently.
8. Step 8: Stir the peanut butter into the caramel mixture until smooth.
9. Step 9: Spread the caramel-peanut butter sauce evenly over the baked cookie base.
10. Step 10: Drop the remaining cookie dough by teaspoonfuls over the caramel layer.
11. Step 11: Bake for an additional 17-20 minutes, until the top dough is golden brown and cooked through.

Tips & Variations

• For a nut-free version, omit the peanut butter and use a caramel sauce without nuts.
• Swap chocolate chips with white or dark chocolate for a different flavor profile.
• Let the bars cool completely before cutting to ensure clean slices.

Storage

Store the bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, refrigerate for up to a week. Reheat briefly in the microwave to soften the caramel before serving, if desired.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use regular milk instead of evaporated milk for the caramel?

Evaporated milk adds richness and helps thicken the caramel sauce, so regular milk may result in a thinner consistency. For best results, use evaporated milk as stated.

Is it possible to make these bars gluten-free?

Yes, substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend that measures cup-for-cup, but be mindful the texture might vary slightly.

Better Than Anything Bars Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

5 from 93 reviews

These Better Than Anything Bars are a decadent treat featuring a buttery cookie base layered with gooey caramel peanut butter sauce and topped with chocolate chips. Perfectly baked to golden perfection, these bars offer a delicious combination of flavors and textures, ideal for dessert or sharing with friends and family.

• Author: Nethan
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 20 bars 1x
• Category: Bars/Brownies
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

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

1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit and prepare a 9″x13″ baking pan by spraying it with non-stick cooking spray.
2. Cream Butter and Sugars: In a mixing bowl, combine the softened butter, brown sugar, and white sugar. Beat them together until the mixture is fluffy and smooth.
3. Add Eggs and Vanilla: Add the eggs one at a time, beating after each addition until just blended. Then mix in the vanilla extract until combined.
4. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a separate step, add the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt to the wet mixture. Stir until fully combined to form the cookie dough.
5. Incorporate Chocolate Chips: Fold in the chocolate chips either by hand or briefly with your mixer, ensuring they are evenly distributed in the dough.
6. First Bake: Spread half of the cookie dough evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking pan. Bake this layer for 8-10 minutes until lightly set.
7. Prepare Caramel Sauce: While the base is baking, combine the unwrapped caramels and evaporated milk in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave on power level 5 for 1-2 minutes, stirring every 30 seconds until melted and smooth. Stir in the peanut butter thoroughly.
8. Add Caramel Layer: Once the bottom cookie layer is baked, spread the caramel sauce evenly over it.
9. Top with Remaining Dough: Drop the remaining cookie dough by teaspoonfuls evenly over the caramel layer.
10. Final Bake: Return the pan to the oven and bake for 17-20 minutes, or until the top dough is golden brown and cooked through.

Notes

• Use semi-sweet or milk chocolate chips according to taste preference.
• If you prefer a thinner caramel layer, reduce the amount of caramel sauce slightly.
• Be sure to watch the caramel carefully when microwaving to avoid burning.
• Allow bars to cool completely before cutting to ensure clean slices.
• Store bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for longer freshness.

Keywords: Better Than Anything Bars, caramel bars, chocolate chip bars, peanut butter caramel bars, easy dessert bars, American dessert