🍫 Easy Chocolate Caramel Nut Bars
Rich • Gooey • Crunchy • No candy thermometer needed
These bars taste like a homemade candy bar — buttery crust, soft caramel, crunchy nuts, and a smooth chocolate top.
🛒 Ingredients
For the crust:
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, melted
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- ¼ teaspoon salt
For the caramel layer:
- 1 (11 oz) bag soft caramels (about 40 pieces), unwrapped
- 2 tablespoons heavy cream
For the nut layer:
- 1½ cups chopped mixed nuts (peanuts, pecans, almonds, or cashews)
For the chocolate topping:
- 1½ cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1 teaspoon coconut oil or butter (optional, for smooth melt)
👩🍳 Instructions
1️⃣ Make the Crust
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Mix melted butter, sugar, flour, and salt until crumbly.
- Press evenly into a greased or parchment-lined 9×13 pan.
- Bake 15–18 minutes, until lightly golden.
Let cool slightly.
2️⃣ Melt the Caramel
- In a saucepan over low heat, melt caramels with heavy cream.
- Stir constantly until smooth.
3️⃣ Assemble
- Sprinkle chopped nuts evenly over the crust.
- Pour warm caramel over the nuts.
- Bake 10 minutes to help layers set.
Cool for 10–15 minutes.
4️⃣ Add Chocolate
- Melt chocolate chips (microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring).
- Stir in coconut oil if using.
- Spread evenly over caramel layer.
❄️ Chill & Slice
- Refrigerate 1–2 hours until firm.
- Lift out using parchment and slice with a sharp knife.
🔥 Tips for Perfect Bars
- Lightly toast nuts first for deeper flavor.
- Sprinkle flaky sea salt on top before chocolate sets for sweet-salty balance.
- For cleaner cuts, warm your knife under hot water and wipe dry.
If you’d like, I can also give you:
- A no-bake version
- A 5-ingredient shortcut version
- Or a healthier oat-based version