Description
Better Than Anything Bars are a deliciously rich and indulgent dessert bar featuring a buttery cookie base layered with melted caramel and peanut butter, topped with gooey chocolate chips. This easy-to-make treat combines the perfect balance of sweet, creamy, and slightly salty flavors baked to golden perfection in just 35 minutes.
Ingredients
Cookie Dough
- 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 14 ounces caramel bits)
- 5 ounces canned evaporated milk (use only 5 ounces if can is larger)
- 1/2 cup peanut butter
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Spray a 9"x13" baking pan with non-stick cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Cream Butter and Sugars: In a mixing bowl, combine the softened butter, brown sugar, and white sugar. Cream them together until the mixture is light and fluffy.
- Add Eggs and Vanilla: Add the eggs one at a time to the creamed mixture, beating after each addition until just blended. Then add the vanilla extract and mix just to combine.
- Incorporate Dry Ingredients: Add the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt to the wet ingredients. Mix until fully combined to form the cookie dough.
- Stir in Chocolate Chips: Gently fold in the milk or semi-sweet chocolate chips using a spatula or mixer at low speed.
- First Bake of Dough: Spread half of the cookie dough evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking pan. Bake for 8-10 minutes until partially baked.
- Make Caramel Sauce: While the dough is baking, place the unwrapped caramels and 5 ounces of evaporated milk into a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave on medium power (power level 5) for 1-2 minutes, stirring every 30 seconds until the caramels melt and combine with the milk.
- Add Peanut Butter to Caramel: Stir the peanut butter into the melted caramel mixture until smooth and thoroughly combined.
- Layer Caramel Sauce: Spread the caramel and peanut butter mixture evenly over the partially baked cookie dough in the pan.
- Add Remaining Dough: Drop the remaining cookie dough by teaspoonfuls over the caramel layer, distributing evenly.
- Second Bake: Return the pan to the oven and bake for an additional 17-20 minutes, or until the top dough is golden brown and cooked through.
Notes
- Use room temperature butter for easy creaming and better texture.
- Be careful not to overbake the first layer; it should be just set before adding caramel.
- Microwave times can vary; heat caramels slowly to prevent burning.
- For easier topping, chill the remaining dough slightly to make teaspoon drops neater.
- Allow bars to cool completely before cutting to set the caramel layer properly.