Better Than Anything Bars are a delightful treat that combines the richness of chocolate, the creaminess of caramel, and the goodness of cookie dough. Whether you are having a cozy night at home or throwing a party, these bars are sure to impress your friends and family. With layers of sweet goodness, they truly live up to their name.
Why Make This Recipe
This recipe is perfect for those who love dessert bars that are easy to make and share. The combination of chocolate, caramel, and peanut butter creates a taste sensation that is hard to resist. Not only are they delicious, but they are also a hit at gatherings, potlucks, and family events. Plus, who wouldn’t want a dessert that is better than anything else?
How to Make Better Than Anything Bars
Making Better Than Anything Bars is quite simple. You’ll just need to follow a few easy steps to prepare the layers of cookie dough, caramel, and chocolate.
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
Directions :
- Preheat your oven to 375°F. Grease a 9’x13′ baking pan with no-stick cooking spray for easy removal later.
- In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter, brown sugar, and white sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy.
- Beat in the eggs, one at a time, ensuring each is fully combined before adding the next. Stir in the vanilla extract.
- Add all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt to the bowl. Mix until just combined—avoid overmixing for the best texture.
- Gently fold in the milk or semi-sweet chocolate chips with a spatula or mix lightly with your mixer.
- Scoop half of the cookie dough into the prepared baking pan, spreading it evenly across the bottom. Place the remaining dough aside.
- Bake the base layer for 8-10 minutes. You want it set but not fully baked through—it will continue cooking later.
- 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, pausing to stir every 30 seconds, until the caramel is smooth and fully melted.
- Stir the peanut butter into the hot caramel mixture until well blended and creamy.
- As soon as the bottom cookie layer comes out of the oven, pour the warm caramel-peanut butter mixture evenly across the baked dough, using a spatula to reach the edges.
- Drop spoonfuls of the remaining cookie dough by teaspoonfuls over the caramel layer. Don’t worry about covering every inch—the mixture will spread as it bakes.
- Return the pan to the oven and bake an additional 17-20 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the cookie dough is cooked through.
- Remove the pan from the oven and allow the bars to cool fully before slicing. This helps the caramel set and makes clean cuts easier.
How to Serve Better Than Anything Bars
To serve, simply slice the bars into squares or rectangles. They can be enjoyed warm or at room temperature. Pair them with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a drizzle of chocolate syrup for an extra special treat.
How to Store Better Than Anything Bars
Store the bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to five days. If you want to keep them longer, you can refrigerate them, and they will last for a week or more. Just be sure to bring them to room temperature before serving for the best taste.
Tips to Make Better Than Anything Bars
- Make sure your butter is softened for easier mixing.
- Avoid overmixing the cookie dough for a better texture.
- Customize the bars by adding nuts or different types of chocolate chips if you like.
Variation
You can experiment with different flavors by using dark chocolate chips instead of milk chocolate or adding a pinch of sea salt on top for a sweet and salty twist.
FAQs
1. Can I use different types of nut butter instead of peanut butter?
Yes! You can use almond butter or sunflower seed butter if you prefer a different flavor or need to avoid peanuts.
2. Can I freeze Better Than Anything Bars?
Absolutely! You can freeze them in an airtight container. Just make sure to thaw them at room temperature before serving.
3. How can I make the bars even richer?
For a richer flavor, you can drizzle some melted chocolate over the cooled bars before slicing them. This adds an extra layer of chocolatey goodness!
Better Than Anything Bars
Ingredients
For the Cookie Dough
- 1 cup Butter, softened Make sure your butter is softened for easier mixing.
- 1 cup Brown sugar, packed
- ½ cup White sugar
- 2 medium Eggs
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla extract
- 2 ¼ cups All-purpose flour Avoid overmixing for the best texture.
- 1 teaspoon Baking soda
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 2 cups Milk chocolate chips or semi-sweet chocolate chips Customize with different chocolate types if desired.
For the Caramel Layer
- 14 ounces Caramels, unwrapped (or caramel bits)
- 5 ounces Canned evaporated milk
- ½ cup Peanut butter Can substitute with almond butter or sunflower seed butter.
Instructions
Preparation
- Preheat your oven to 375°F. Grease a 9’x13′ baking pan with no-stick cooking spray.
- In a large mixing bowl, cream together butter, brown sugar, and white sugar until light and fluffy.
- Beat in the eggs one at a time, ensuring each is fully combined before adding the next. Stir in the vanilla extract.
- Add flour, baking soda, and salt to the bowl and mix until just combined.
- Gently fold in the chocolate chips.
- Scoop half of the cookie dough into the prepared baking pan and spread it evenly.
- Bake the base layer for 8-10 minutes, until set but not fully baked.
Caramel Layer
- Combine caramels and evaporated milk in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave on power level 5 for 1-2 minutes, stirring every 30 seconds until smooth.
- Stir in peanut butter until well blended.
- Pour the caramel-peanut butter mixture evenly across the baked dough as soon as it comes out of the oven.
- Drop spoonfuls of the remaining cookie dough over the caramel layer and spread lightly.
- Return the pan to the oven and bake for an additional 17-20 minutes until golden brown.
Cooling
- Remove from oven and allow to cool fully before slicing.
