Crunchy Peanut Butter Chocolate Caramel Bars Recipe

Introduction

These Crunchy Peanut Butter Chocolate Caramel Bars are a delightful treat combining rich peanut butter, sweet caramel, and smooth chocolate atop a crispy base. Perfect for satisfying your sweet tooth, they offer a wonderful balance of textures and flavors in every bite.

Ingredients

• 170 g Butter (¾ Cup), melted
• 190 g Peanut butter (¾ Cup)
• 150 g Digestive or graham crackers (1½ Cup)
• 45 g Cornflakes (1 Cup), crushed
• 65 g Powdered Sugar (⅔ Cup)
• 60 ml Caramel sauce (¼ Cup)
• 200 g Chocolate (7 oz)
• 2 tbsp Peanut butter

Instructions

1. Step 1: Line a 20×20 cm (9×9 inch) baking pan with parchment paper.
2. Step 2: Pulse the digestive biscuits and cornflakes in a food processor or blender until finely ground.
3. Step 3: Melt the butter in a pan. When melted, remove from heat and whisk in peanut butter and powdered sugar until smooth.
4. Step 4: Add the ground digestive biscuits and cornflakes to the butter mixture and stir until combined.
5. Step 5: Spread this mixture evenly on the prepared baking sheet.
6. Step 6: Pour the caramel sauce over the base layer and spread evenly. Chill while preparing the chocolate topping.
7. Step 7: Melt the chocolate in a bain-marie (double boiler). Stir in 2 tablespoons of peanut butter until smooth, then spread evenly over the caramel layer. Decorate with white chocolate if desired.
8. Step 8: Refrigerate the bars for at least 2 hours to set.
9. Step 9: Once chilled, cut into squares and serve.

Tips & Variations

• Use crunchy peanut butter if you prefer more texture in the bars.
• For a nut-free version, substitute peanut butter with sunflower seed butter.
• Try adding a sprinkle of sea salt on top for a sweet-salty contrast.
• Swap the chocolate for dark or milk, depending on your preference.

Storage

Store the bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week. They can also be frozen for up to 3 months. To serve, let them come to room temperature for a few minutes or warm slightly to soften the chocolate topping.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use a different type of crackers?

Yes, graham crackers or any plain sweet biscuit can be used as a substitute for digestive biscuits. Just ensure they are finely crushed for the best texture.

How do I melt chocolate without a bain-marie?

You can melt chocolate in short bursts in the microwave, stirring every 20 seconds until smooth. Be careful not to overheat, as chocolate can seize quickly.

Crunchy Peanut Butter Chocolate Caramel Bars Recipe

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4.6 from 117 reviews

These Crunchy Peanut Butter Chocolate Caramel Bars combine a buttery, peanut butter-infused base with a crunchy blend of crushed digestive biscuits and cornflakes, topped with a luscious caramel layer and a smooth chocolate-peanut butter ganache. Perfectly chilled, these no-bake bars offer a delightful mix of textures and rich flavors, ideal for a sweet treat or dessert.

• Author: Natalie
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Total Time: 2 hours 25 minutes
• Yield: 16 squares 1x
• Category: Dessert
• Method: No-Cook
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Base

• 170 g Butter (¾ Cup), melted
• 190 g Peanut butter (¾ Cup)
• 150 g Digestive or graham crackers (1½ Cups, crushed)
• 45 g Cornflakes (1 Cup, crushed)
• 65 g Powdered Sugar (⅔ Cup)

Middle Layer

• 60 ml Caramel sauce (¼ Cup)

Topping

• 200 g Chocolate (7 oz)
• 2 tbsp Peanut butter

Instructions

1. Prepare the baking pan: Line a 20×20 cm (9×9 inch) baking pan with parchment paper to prevent sticking and facilitate easy removal of the bars later.
2. Grind the crunchy ingredients: Place the digestive biscuits and cornflakes into a food processor or blender and pulse until they are finely ground to create a crunchy base texture.
3. Melt the butter and combine with peanut butter and sugar: Melt the butter in a pan over low heat. Once melted, remove from heat and immediately whisk in peanut butter and powdered sugar until the mixture is smooth and homogenous.
4. Mix in the crushed dry ingredients: Add the ground digestive biscuits and cornflakes to the wet mixture. Stir well until all ingredients are fully combined into a thick dough-like consistency.
5. Form the base layer: Spread this mixture evenly into the prepared baking pan, pressing gently to ensure a compact base.
6. Add the caramel layer: Pour the caramel sauce evenly over the peanut butter base layer and spread it out gently. Place the pan in the refrigerator to chill while preparing the chocolate topping.
7. Prepare the chocolate topping: Using a bain-marie (double boiler), melt the chocolate gently. Once melted, stir in 2 tablespoons of peanut butter until smooth and well combined. Spread this mixture evenly over the chilled caramel layer. Optionally, decorate with white chocolate if desired.
8. Refrigerate to set: Place the assembled bars in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours to allow the layers to set firmly.
9. Serve: Once set, remove the bars from the pan using the parchment paper. Cut into squares and serve chilled for the perfect crunchy, creamy treat.

Notes

• Use parchment paper in the baking pan for easy removal of the bars.
• Ensure the butter is not too hot when mixing with peanut butter to avoid separation.
• Chill the bars sufficiently to get clean cuts and firm texture.
• You can substitute digestive biscuits with graham crackers if preferred.
• Optional decoration with white chocolate can add visual appeal and flavor contrast.

Keywords: Peanut butter bars, chocolate caramel bars, no-bake dessert, crunchy peanut butter treats, caramel chocolate bars