There are only good things that can come from melting butter, brown sugar, caramels, and cream. Add lots of vanilla extract and chocolate for good measure.
When I received these caramel squares from Oh! Nuts, I had a few ideas for bars that would incorporate melted caramels. I prefer making bars to cookies because bars are much faster and less fussy to make.
And I prefer these bars to anything I’ve eaten so far in 2012. To say these are rich is an understatement. The melted caramels and cream, the butter, the chocolate seeping through each bite. Call Ina Garten and let the woman who cooks with a pound of butter like it’s a tablespoon know that these bars will give her a run for her butter money.
I really can’t convey how dense they are. Each one is like holding a little lead weight. When I gave Scott the small 8-by-8-inch pan to hold, he thought I had lined it with heavy metal objects. I assured him that it wasn’t a stunt pan; just all the good stuff which is that heavy.
He also thought I put alcohol in them because they have so much depth of flavor. He thought it was another rum cake special, but no. I attribute the depth of flavor to the caramels. I also added a copious amount of vanilla extract to them, allowing the vanilla flavor to not only stand up to, but really complement, the caramels. Too often vanilla gets lost, but not in these. I assure you that you will want to get lost with one of these.
Make sure your gym membership is active or your running shoes are laced. You may want to get a little exercise after these. Be forewarned: these are sticky and gooey and you should probably store them in refrigerator or freezer. You may also want to eat them with a fork.
Yes these are sweet, but they’re not as sweet as they are fatty dense, rich, thick, heavy. You will be able to feel the butter on your lips after you get done taking a bite and every once in awhile, that’s a-okay. Knowing that the high butter content of your latest dessert does double-duty for chapped lips is always a winning feeling.
If you’ve had a bad day, a PMS day, want to butter up (literally) your spouse before you ask them to take you to Bora Bora or impress friends ‘n fam at parties, make these. Guests may need to use forks unless you pet names like Aunt Susie Sticky Fingers and Uncle Bobby Butter Fingers are acceptable among party-goers.
The oozing chocolate. The drippy caramel cream sauce. These will make you close your eyes, savor each bite, and the world will just.stop.while.you.chew. Ahhh….
Related Recipes
If you’re a fan of caramel, I recommend: Tried this recipe? Leave a review! Consider leaving a 5 star rating if you’ve made and loved one of my recipes! Caramel Apple Bars (GF with Vegan adaptation)
Caramel Maple Pumpkin Pie Smoothie
Raw Vegan GF Caramels (sandwich style with peanut butter in the middle) Caramel Peanut Butter and Apricot Jelly Bars (GF with Vegan adaptation)
Happy unwrapping.
Do you like caramels? I love them and all things caramel-flavored. What’s one of the last really rich and dense desserts or other foods you’ve had? Sometimes I want something airy and light like popcorn or angel food cake. Sometimes I want a lead balloon. Today was the later. Thanks for the Babycakes Cupcake Maker and Cookbook Giveaway entries.
