Caramel Crumb Bars

Caramel Crumb Bars with a buttery shortbread crust, a creamy caramel filling, and crumbly topping. I was tempted by these little crumb bars about a month ago when I spotted them on Food Gawker.

I knew that I wanted to make them for all of my coworkers. Today we had a pitch in at work to celebrate spring break coming up next week so I decided that today was the perfect time! 😉

This rich buttery, crumbly, and chewy crumble bars are a crowd pleaser and easy to whip up for your next party or work potluck.

Now, remember to save this recipe on Pinterest for later 🙂

Caramel Crumb Bars

Cook Time: 25 minutes minutes

Total Time: 25 minutes minutes

This rich buttery, crumbly, and chewy crumble bars are a crowd pleaser and easy to whip up for your next party or work potluck.

5 from 1 vote

Review Recipe

Ingredients 

For the Bars:

• 2 sticks, 16 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, divided

For the Caramel Filling:

• 4 tablespoons 1/2 stick unsalted butter
• 1 tablespoon light corn syrup
• 1/4 cup packed dark brown sugar
• 1 14- oz can sweetened condensed milk

Follow Sweet Pea's Kitchen

Want to save this recipe? Enter your email below and we'll send the recipe straight to your inbox!

Email(Required)

Email

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Δ

NOTE: By saving this recipe, you agree to join our weekly recipes newsletter.

Instructions

• Preheat oven to 350 F. Butter the bottom and sides of a 9-by-13-inch metal baking pan. Put a long piece of parchment paper in the bottom of the pan, letting the parchment extend up the two short sides of the pan and overhang slightly on both ends. (This will make it easy to remove the bars from the pan after they have baked.) Butter the parchment.
• To make the dough: In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, on medium speed, beat the butter, sugar and salt until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes. Add vanilla and beat until combined.
• Mix in 2 1/4 cups of the flour on low speed, beating just until the dough is smooth and the flour has been incorporated.
• Pat 3/4 of the dough evenly into the prepared pan. Place reserved 1/4 aside. Transfer the pan to the refrigerator while making the filling and top layer.
• Add the remaining 1/4 cup of flour to the remaining dough in the mixer bowl and mix on low speed until 1/8 – 1/4-inch crumbs form. Set aside.
• To make the caramel filling: In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine the butter, corn syrup, brown sugar and condensed milk. Bring to a simmer, whisking occasionally. When the mixture begins to boil, whisk frequently until it begins to thicken and darkens in color slightly, about 10 minutes. Remove from the heat and let cool 10 minutes.
• Remove the pan from the refrigerator and pour the filling over the bottom crust. Use an offset spatula to spread it evenly then distribute the crumb topping over the filling.
• Bake until the filling is gently bubbling and a dark caramel color, about 30 minutes.  Cool completely on wire rack. Use the parchment handles to lift the bars out of the pan and onto a cutting board; cut into 2-inch squares.

Notes

Source: Tracey’s Culinary Adventures

Author: Laura

Desserts are a wonderful way to finish your meal. Sink your teeth into some of these dessert recipes for a decadent treat for the entire family. 

Best Ever Snickers Cupcakes – These indulgent cupcakes are perfect for parties or a divine treat. 

Ultimate Turtle Cookies – They have pecans, caramel, and a fudge-like cookie that is a home run! Yum!

Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars – What’s better than the combination of caramel and apples? Pair the two with cheesecake, and you have a heavenly treat.