Death by Caramel Bars

By MaryEllen

Pockets of caramel goo are the highlight of these showy bar cookies. For an over-the-top dessert, add a scoop of vanilla ice cream and drizzle with caramel sauce.
2018: These burned at 325. Either lower the temp or cut the time short.
Many reviewers had trouble with this setting up.

Also per a reviewer:
Absolutely delicious, but I did make some adjustments. There is too much flour for the proportion of butter called for,(rule of thumb, 1/2 cup butter to each 2-2 1/2 cups flour or oats) so I reduced the flour to 3 1/4 cups. Gave me a really moist brownie. Next time I will make it in 2 8 x 8 pans, too thick. And I will not put the candy bar chunks in the whole batter, put 1/2 the batter in the pan then add the candy bar chunks to the remaining batter, they will sink and make a hard layer on the bottom if you put them in the batter first. Add the dulce de leche in gobs, then drop the remaining batter over the top. I don't think swirling adds anything, I will skip that, maybe add more chopped nuts on the top.

Ingredients

• 3 cups firmly packed light brown sugar
• 2 cups unsalted butter, melted
• 3 large eggs, lightly beaten
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
• 4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup uncooked regular oats
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 3/4 teaspoon salt
• 6 (2.07-oz.) chocolate-coated caramel-peanut nougat bars, chopped (we tested with Snickers) (40 minis are a better add...more chocolate!)
• 1 (14-oz.) can dulce de leche*

Details

Adapted from myrecipes.com

Preparation

Step 1

Step 1

Combine first 4 ingredients in a large bowl; stir well. Combine flour, oats, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Add to butter mixture, stirring just until blended. Fold in chopped candy bars.
Step 2

Spoon batter into a greased aluminum foil-lined 13" x 9" pan coated with cooking spray, allowing foil to extend over ends of pan. (Pan will be very full.) Spoon dollops of dulce de leche over batter; swirl slightly into batter with a knife. Bake at 325° (?)for 1 hour and 5 minutes (?). Remove to a wire rack, and cool completely. (This may take several hours.) Use foil to lift uncut brownies out of the pan. Peel foil away from sides of uncut brownies, and cut into bars.
Step 3

*Find dulce de leche with other Mexican ingredients or on the baking aisle.