Chocolate Caramel Bars

In honor of my birthday that just passed, I wanted to share my signature dish with you. It's the dessert that I am best known for and the item most requested when I am invited to a party or potluck.

I don't exactly remember where this recipe came from, but I believe that one my childhood neighbors made these and was kind enough to share the recipe with my mom. If you are the nice neighbor or friend who gave us this recipe, please let me know so I can credit you properly!

Just a fair warning that these are very rich bars.  The crumb layers on the top and bottom effectively balance out the gooeyness of the caramel and chocolate interior.  You might need a napkin or two...and a nap afterwards! I wouldn't be surprised if these bars disappeared from your house within an hour. In fact, these bars were gobbled up within 15 minutes at a party we attended last weekend. And a friend of mine recently described these as "heaven in a bar." Are you tempted yet?

Try these bars today, and who knows--they may soon become your signature dessert! Oh, and if you are wondering what I did on my birthday, I took the day off and baked, skated and shopped. All in all, it was a perfect day!

Chocolate Caramel Bars

• 1 cup chocolate chips (I use semi-sweet)
• 38 caramels (I use Kraft, but you can certainly use homemade)
• 6 Tbsp heavy cream
• 1 cup flour
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1 cup oatmeal
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 3/4 cup softened butter (not melted)

Directions

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.

Unwrap the caramels and place into a saucepan.  Add cream and melt both over low to medium heat. Set aside.

Mix together flour, salt, soda, oatmeal, sugar and butter.

Pat half of the flour mixture into an 8.5x8.5 inch square pan. Bake at 325 degrees F for 20 minutes.

Pour melted caramel mixture over baked crust; then sprinkle with chocolate chips.

Crumble the rest of the flour mixture over the chips and bake an additional 20 minutes.

Yield:  about 16 bars of yummy goodness!

Source:  Unknown - from my mom's old recipes, which may have come from a neighbor

In honor of my birthday that just passed, I wanted to share my signature dish with you. It's the dessert that I am best known for and the item most requested when I am invited to a party or potluck.

I don't exactly remember where this recipe came from, but I believe that one my childhood neighbors made these and was kind enough to share the recipe with my mom. If you are the nice neighbor or friend who gave us this recipe, please let me know so I can credit you properly!

Just a fair warning that these are very rich bars.  The crumb layers on the top and bottom effectively balance out the gooeyness of the caramel and chocolate interior.  You might need a napkin or two...and a nap afterwards! I wouldn't be surprised if these bars disappeared from your house within an hour. In fact, these bars were gobbled up within 15 minutes at a party we attended last weekend. And a friend of mine recently described these as "heaven in a bar." Are you tempted yet?

Try these bars today, and who knows--they may soon become your signature dessert! Oh, and if you are wondering what I did on my birthday, I took the day off and baked, skated and shopped. All in all, it was a perfect day!

Chocolate Caramel Bars

• 1 cup chocolate chips (I use semi-sweet)
• 38 caramels (I use Kraft, but you can certainly use homemade)
• 6 Tbsp heavy cream
• 1 cup flour
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1 cup oatmeal
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 3/4 cup softened butter (not melted)

Directions

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.

Unwrap the caramels and place into a saucepan.  Add cream and melt both over low to medium heat. Set aside.

Mix together flour, salt, soda, oatmeal, sugar and butter.

Pat half of the flour mixture into an 8.5x8.5 inch square pan. Bake at 325 degrees F for 20 minutes.

Pour melted caramel mixture over baked crust; then sprinkle with chocolate chips.

Crumble the rest of the flour mixture over the chips and bake an additional 20 minutes.

Yield:  about 16 bars of yummy goodness!

Source:  Unknown - from my mom's old recipes, which may have come from a neighbor