Most of the time, our mission is to keep those mischievous squirrels away from our gardens. They seem to have an innate ability to disrupt our plants, searching for places to hide their trove of treasures. However, this time around, we’re dedicating a nutty treat just for us humans, and the similarity we share with our bushy-tailed friends is simple: the urge to squirrel away treats before they’re all gone! As soon as these treats grace our table, everyone seems to get that “squirrel vibe,” trying to swipe an extra piece or two.
Crafting these treats is a breeze. Their enchanting blend of sweet and savory flavors will leave you craving more! Starting with a crunchy cookie base, we layer on a soft filling, and crown it all with a mesmerizing swirl of caramel and nuts. Here’s a tip: to make the flavors pop, toast the nuts before adding them. This elevates the nuttiness, giving the bars a more luxurious and robust taste.
These bars are our secret weapon, perfect for any occasion—be it bake sales, potlucks, or festive gatherings. With their unique flair, our nutty bars are set to steal the spotlight. Haven’t tried salted caramel yet? Oh, you’re in for a treat! The mix of sweet and salty, paired with the crunch of nuts and the cookie base, is divine. And the versatility! Walnuts, pecans, peanuts, you name it—though we recommend unsalted nuts to keep the balance right. In essence, our bars are a symphony of sweet, savory, crunchy, and chewy. Dive in and enjoy every bite!
Preparation time: 40 minutes
Yields: 24-32 bars
Ingredients:
2 sticks unsalted butter, softened (set 2 tablespoons aside)
1 cup powdered sugar
1 ¼ cup all-purpose flour
⅓ cup cocoa powder
1 can (14 oz) sweetened condensed milk
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
1 cup caramel baking chips
½ cup nuts of your choice (almonds, pecans, or walnuts), chopped
4 tablespoons heavy cream
1 teaspoon fine salt
Instructions:
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Ensure the baking rack is in the middle. Line a 9×13-inch baking dish with parchment paper, leaving a little overhang to help with lifting out the finished bars.
In a spacious bowl, whisk together the sugar and 1 ¾ sticks of softened butter until light and airy.
Gradually mix in the cocoa powder and flour until it forms a smooth dough.
Transfer this dough to the prepared baking dish, pressing it into an even layer. Bake in the oven for 15 minutes.
While the base bakes, prepare the sauce. In a medium saucepan over low heat, combine the 2 tablespoons of butter you set aside earlier with the sweetened condensed milk. Keep stirring continuously until it thickens. Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla extract.
Once the base has baked, pour the creamy sauce over it. Return it to the oven and bake until it takes on a golden hue, roughly 8-10 minutes.
Meanwhile, in a dry pan, toast your chosen nuts until they give off a delightful aroma. After allowing them to cool for a few moments, give them a rough chop.
For the caramel layer, in a microwave-safe bowl, melt the caramel chips along with the heavy cream. Heat in 30-second intervals, ensuring you stir after each interval. This should take about 2 minutes in total. Once melted, fold in the chopped nuts and salt.
Pour this caramel-nut blend over the bar base, ensuring it reaches the edges.
Allow the bars to cool and set completely before lifting them out using the parchment overhang and cutting them into desired sizes.
Enjoy the delicious harmony of crunchy nuts and smooth caramel in these delightful bars!
