Butterfinger Caramel Bars with Layers of Sweet Crunch and Chocolate Recipe

The Dreamiest Butterfinger Caramel Bars Recipe for Chocolate Lovers

Decadent butterfinger caramel bars promise a symphony of textures that dance across your taste buds.

Crunchy candy pieces intermingle with rich chocolate and smooth caramel in this irresistible treat.

Chocolate lovers will swoon over the complex flavor profile waiting to be discovered.

Sweet layers create a harmonious blend of indulgence that feels both nostalgic and innovative.

Crumbly butterfinger fragments add unexpected depth to each delightful bite.

Contrasting textures make this dessert a playful adventure for anyone seeking a delicious escape.

Prepare to experience a sensational combination that will have everyone asking for seconds.

Why Butterfinger Caramel Bars With Layers Of Sweet Crunch And Chocolate Are Irresistible

  • Crush Candy Delight: Butterfinger pieces deliver an irresistible crunch and sweet burst of flavor that transforms ordinary dessert bars into an extraordinary treat.
  • Master Complex Flavor Layers: This recipe expertly combines caramel, chocolate, and candy bar pieces, creating a multi-dimensional taste experience that surprises and satisfies every bite.
  • Perfect for Sweet Celebrations: These bars shine at potlucks, family gatherings, and parties, offering a crowd-pleasing dessert that looks impressive but doesn't require professional baking skills.
  • Customize with Ease: Bakers can adjust toppings or swap Butterfinger for other candy bars, making this recipe flexible for personal preferences and pantry ingredients.

Ingredients For Butterfinger Caramel Bars With Layers Of Sweet Crunch And Chocolate

Base Layer Ingredients:
  • Butter: A rich and creamy ingredient that provides a smooth texture and buttery flavor to the base.
  • Brown Sugar: Adds sweetness and a deep caramel-like taste to the cookie base.
  • Vanilla Extract: Enhances the overall flavor profile with its warm and aromatic essence.
  • All-Purpose Flour: Serves as the primary structure for the cookie base.
  • Baking Powder: Helps the base layer rise and become light and tender.
  • Salt: Balances the sweetness and amplifies the other flavors.
Caramel and Filling Ingredients:
  • Butter: Creates a smooth and rich caramel base.
  • Caramel Candies: Provides the primary caramel flavor and texture.
  • Sweetened Condensed Milk: Adds creaminess and helps bind the caramel mixture.
Topping Ingredients:
  • Butterfinger Candy Bars: Adds a crunchy and sweet peanut butter flavor throughout the dessert.
  • Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips: Creates a smooth and rich chocolate layer on top of the bars.

How To Make Butterfinger Caramel Bars With Layers Of Sweet Crunch And Chocolate

Step 1: Craft the Buttery Base

Grab your mixing bowl and combine softened butter with brown sugar until the mixture looks fluffy and light. Splash in vanilla extract for extra flavor. Gently fold in flour, baking powder, and salt until the dough becomes slightly crumbly. Preheat the oven to 350F and line a 9×13-inch pan with parchment paper, letting the edges hang over for easy removal.

Step 2: Create the Foundation

Press two-thirds of the dough firmly into the pan, creating an even layer. Save the remaining dough for later. Bake the base for 10-12 minutes until it turns a gentle golden color. Remove from the oven and let it rest.

Step 3: Whip Up Luscious Caramel

In a saucepan, melt butter and caramel candies over low heat. Stir constantly until the mixture becomes silky smooth. Pour in sweetened condensed milk and continue stirring until the caramel transforms into a thick, luxurious sauce.

Step 4: Build Delicious Layers

Pour the caramel evenly across the baked base. Sprinkle crushed Butterfinger pieces:
  • First half of crushed candy bars

Crumble the remaining dough over the caramel, covering most of the surface.

Step 5: Bake to Golden Perfection

Return the pan to the oven and bake for 20-25 minutes. Watch for a golden-brown topping and bubbling edges.

Step 6: Chocolate Finale

Scatter semi-sweet chocolate chips over the hot bars. Let them sit for 2-3 minutes to soften, then spread smoothly. Shower the remaining Butterfinger pieces across the melted chocolate.

Step 7: Cool and Slice

Allow the bars to cool completely at room temperature or speed up the process in the refrigerator. Once firm, lift out the bars using parchment paper and slice into delectable squares.

Tips For Butterfinger Caramel Bars With Layers Of Sweet Crunch And Chocolate

  • Ensure butter is softened at room temperature for easier creaming and smoother base texture.
  • Select fresh, high-quality caramel candies for richer, more intense flavor in the filling.
  • Crush Butterfinger bars just before adding to maintain their crispy texture and prevent moisture absorption.
  • Use parchment paper overhang for effortless bar removal and clean, precise cutting.
  • Chill bars in refrigerator for cleaner slices and firmer chocolate layer that sets quickly.

Variations For Butterfinger Caramel Bars With Layers Of Sweet Crunch And Chocolate

  • Peanut Butter Paradise: Replace Butterfinger with crushed peanut butter cups, adding a rich and creamy flavor profile to the classic recipe.
  • Nutty Chocolate Crunch: Swap Butterfinger for chopped almonds and dark chocolate chips, creating a more sophisticated and textured dessert bar.
  • Salted Caramel Dream: Incorporate sea salt into the caramel layer and top with chopped pecans for a gourmet sweet-and-salty experience.
  • Berry Chocolate Fusion: Mix in dried cranberries or raspberries between layers and use white chocolate chips for a fruity, decadent variation.

Pairings For Butterfinger Caramel Bars With Layers Of Sweet Crunch And Chocolate

  • Elevate Dessert with Milk: Select cold whole milk or creamy vanilla almond milk to balance the rich chocolate and caramel sweetness. The smooth dairy helps cut through the intense sugary layers.
  • Match with Nutty Coffee: Brew a medium roast hazelnut or caramel-infused coffee that echoes the Butterfinger's nutty undertones. The warm beverage provides a perfect counterpoint to the chilled bars.
  • Serve Alongside Vanilla Ice Cream: Scoop premium vanilla bean ice cream next to the bars to enhance the dessert's decadence. The cold, smooth cream creates a delightful temperature and texture contrast.

Storage Tips For Butterfinger Caramel Bars With Layers Of Sweet Crunch And Chocolate

  • Store cooled bars in an airtight container lined with parchment paper between layers. Keep refrigerated for up to 5 days, maintaining their crisp texture and preventing chocolate from melting.
  • Wrap entire uncut pan tightly with plastic wrap and aluminum foil. Freeze up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in refrigerator before serving for best quality.
  • Wrap each bar separately in plastic wrap, then place in freezer-safe container. Freeze up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature for 15-20 minutes before enjoying.
  • Warm individual bars in microwave for 10-15 seconds on low power to prevent chocolate from burning. Alternatively, let bars sit at room temperature for 10 minutes to soften chocolate and restore original texture.

FAQs On Butterfinger Caramel Bars With Layers Of Sweet Crunch And Chocolate

  • Are Butterfinger Caramel Bars suitable for kids?

Yes, these bars are a delightful treat that most children will love. The combination of sweet caramel, crunchy Butterfinger, and chocolate makes it an irresistible dessert for kids of all ages.

  • Can I use a different type of candy bar instead of Butterfinger?

Absolutely! You can substitute Butterfinger with other candy bars like Snickers or Reese’s Pieces. Just crush them similarly and sprinkle over the caramel layer for a similar crunchy texture.

  • How do I prevent the caramel from burning while cooking?

Melt the caramel on low heat and stir constantly. Use a heavy-bottomed saucepan and keep the heat gentle. This ensures smooth, even melting without scorching the caramel mixture.

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Butterfinger Caramel Bars with Layers of Sweet Crunch and Chocolate Recipe

Butterfinger Caramel Bars with Layers of Sweet Crunch and Chocolate Recipe


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4.8 from 22 reviews

  • Total Time: 45-52 minutes
  • Yield: 16 1x

Description

Sinful Butterfinger Caramel Bars deliver a knockout punch of indulgent chocolate and caramel crunch. Sweet layers mingle with nutty candy pieces, creating an irresistible dessert sensation you won’t be able to resist.


Ingredients

Scale

Base Layer Ingredients:

  • 1 cup (226 grams) unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 cup light brown sugar, packed
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt

Caramel and Filling Ingredients:

  • 1 (14-ounce/397 grams) can sweetened condensed milk
  • 1/2 cup (113 grams) unsalted butter, cubed
  • 1 cup caramel candies, unwrapped
  • 1/2 cup crushed Butterfinger candy bars

Topping Ingredients:

  • 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
  • 1/2 cup crushed Butterfinger candy bars

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 350F (175C). Line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper, creating an overhang for easy removal.
  2. Mix butter and brown sugar until fluffy. Incorporate vanilla extract. Fold in flour, baking powder, and salt to create a crumbly dough.
  3. Press two-thirds of the dough into the prepared pan, creating an even base. Reserve remaining dough for topping. Bake for 10-12 minutes until lightly golden.
  4. Melt butter and caramel candies in a saucepan over low heat, stirring continuously. Blend in sweetened condensed milk until smooth and slightly thickened.
  5. Pour caramel evenly over the baked base. Scatter half of the crushed Butterfinger pieces across the caramel layer.
  6. Crumble remaining dough over the caramel, covering most of the surface. Bake for 20-25 minutes until the topping turns golden and edges bubble.
  7. Immediately sprinkle chocolate chips over the hot bars. Let sit for 2-3 minutes to soften, then spread chocolate evenly.
  8. Garnish with remaining Butterfinger pieces over the melted chocolate. Cool completely at room temperature or refrigerate for faster setting.
  9. Lift bars from pan using parchment overhang and slice into squares for serving.

Notes

  • Ensure butter is softened at room temperature for easy creaming and smooth dough consistency.
  • Use parchment paper with overhang for effortless bar removal and clean cutting.
  • For gluten-free version, substitute all-purpose flour with almond or gluten-free blend, maintaining same measurements.
  • Crush Butterfinger bars while slightly chilled to achieve more uniform and controlled crumble texture.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30-37 minutes
  • Category: Desserts, Snacks
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 16
  • Calories: 292 kcal
  • Sugar: 26 g
  • Sodium: 92 mg
  • Fat: 17 g
  • Saturated Fat: 10 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
  • Trans Fat: 0.3 g
  • Carbohydrates: 33 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 2 g
  • Cholesterol: 36 mg
Samantha Lee

Samantha Lee

Recipe Developer & Content Creator

Expertise

Plant-based and vegetarian recipes, Recipe testing and development, Food blogging and digital content creation, Culinary education and workshops​

Education

Oregon Culinary Institute (Portland, OR)

  • Program: Diploma in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: Emphasized plant-based cooking, global cuisines, and recipe testing methodologies.​

Samantha sees cooking like painting, every fresh herb, every juicy tomato, a new splash of color on a canvas.
After graduating from Oregon Culinary Institute, she blended her love of global cuisines and plant-based cooking into recipes that feel fresh, fearless, and full of heart.
Samantha’s kitchen is a place where comfort food gets a modern remix and every meal feels like a little adventure. When she’s not cooking, she’s out exploring farmers’ markets, sketching new recipe ideas, or getting her hands dirty in a community garden.

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