Make Gooey Peanut Butter Caramel Bars
A decadent combination of favorite flavors, these bars will be a top choice for those who love rich treats. Warm a bar and top with ice cream for a decadent dessert.
Makes 24
Prep time: 20 minutes Bake time: 35-40 minutes Difficulty: Medium
BARS
1 cup creamy peanut butter 1 cup unsalted butter, softened 1 cup sugar
1 ½ cups light brown sugar 1 tablespoon vanilla extract 3 eggs, room temperature 2 2/3 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking soda 1 teaspoon salt
1 cup old fashioned oats
2 cups dark chocolate chips 1 cup milk chocolate chips
CARAMEL FILLING
1 (11-ounce) bag caramel bits ½ cup heavy cream
1. Preheat oven to 350ºF. Line a 9" by 13" pan with parchment, leaving extra on two sides to later use as handles to remove the bars. Spray any portion of pan that isn’t lined with nonstick spray.
2. In a mixing bowl, beat peanut butter, butter, sugars and vanilla with a mixer for about 3 minutes, until light and fluffy. Add eggs and beat on medium-high until well combined.
3. In a small mixing bowl, combine flour, baking soda, and salt. Add to the butter mixture and beat just until combined. Scrape the sides and bottom of bowl to ensure proper mixing. Add oats and chocolate chips. Beat just until combined.
4. In a medium saucepan, over medium heat, melt caramel with heavy cream. Stir constantly until caramel bits are completely melted and incorporated with the cream.
5. Scoop half of dough into the prepared pan and pat into pan evenly. Pour caramel mixture over dough. Cover caramel with remaining dough by dropping small pieces on top, distributing evenly.
6. Bake for 35 to 40 minutes, or until top is brown. Allow bars to cool in pan. Using a butter knife, loosen bars in any areas not covered with parchment. Lift bars out using parchment handles. Place on a cutting board and cut into 24 pieces. Store in an airtight container for up to 1 week.
Written by the mother and daughter team of Joyce and Laura Klynstra, Christmas Baking is beautifully written and will inspire you to bring back old favorites and create fresh traditions for your family. With stunning, full-color photographs throughout, it makes a wonderful family keepsake to be handed down through the years or a thoughtful gift to a fellow baker. With backgrounds in a family restaurant, a wedding cake business, graphic design and photography, this dynamic duo are well-equipped authors.
With more than 100 recipes, with easy-to-follow instructions, helpful tips and guidelines, conversion charts and more, you’ll find everything you need to create the festive and fancy, like the Chocolate Cake with Peppermint Filling, to the quick and easy Divinity.
Whether you are preparing for gatherings, gift-giving, cookie swaps or Christmas morning, Christmas Baking has it covered.
As co-author Laura so succinctly says: “Christmas baking is all about love and sharing—it’s filled with tradition and comfort.” And we could all use a big helping of that this year!