Calling all sugar fiends and dessert devotees! Do you constantly crave something sweet? Are you on an endless hunt for tasty new confections and tasty baked goods? Have you yearned for the ultimate easy-to-make treat that satisfies your cravings in minutes flat? Well, sweets lovers, let me introduce you to the Caramelita Bar – the holy grail for your sweet tooth!
With just one morsel of this incredible no-bake delight, you’ll be entranced! A crunchy graham cracker crust lays the foundation for an ultra-rich, smooth and velvety caramel center that melts on your tongue. And the whole shebang is crowned with a layer of decadent chocolate, taking this bar over the top. Only five humble ingredients magically combine to create candy-coated bliss quicker than you can preheat an oven.
Once you sink your teeth into my simple Caramelita Bars, you’ll be absolutely bewitched – no other dessert recipe will ever tempt you again! Whether you’re a newbie baker or a Michelin-starred chef, whipping up these bars is foolproof. But be warned: they disappear faster than the last donut in the break room! You better stash some away before they all evaporate!
From wee toddlers to great grandparents, anyone who adores sweets will become hopelessly enamored with these sublime squares. With zero oven time and just a smidge of chilling, prep is simple and quick. And countless customized adornments allow you to invent a unique Caramelita every batch.
Ready to meet the holy grail of no-bake treats? Let’s get this recipe rolling so you can start reveling in Caramelita perfection ASAP! Read on for all the mouthwatering specifics. Your tastebuds and all who you bake for will sing your praises!
Frequently Asked Questions:
What exactly is a Caramelita Bar?
A Caramelita Bar is a layered no-bake treat with a graham cracker crust, gooey caramel middle layer, and chocolate top layer. It’s sweet, rich, and irresistible!
How long does it take to make them?
You can have a pan of Caramelita Bars ready in just 30 minutes! With such simple prep, they are a cinch to whip up.
What ingredients do I need?
Just 5 ingredients – graham cracker crumbs, butter, brown sugar, sweetened condensed milk, and chocolate chips. That’s it!
Do I need to bake them?
Nope, no baking required! You simply press, fill, chill, and top to create these no-bake beauties.
Can I make them ahead of time?
Absolutely! Make them a day or two in advance, and store covered in the fridge until you’re ready to serve.
How should I cut and serve them?
I recommend cutting them into 1.5 inch squares right in the pan after chilling. Carefully lift out the squares to serve.
What can I top them with?
A dusting of powdered sugar takes them over the top! You can also top with crushed nuts, coconut, sprinkles – anything goes!
Ingredients:
- 2 and 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs (about 14 full sheet graham crackers)
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 and 1/4 cups packed brown sugar
- 1 (14 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
- 1 and 1/2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
Instructions:
- Start with the Base: A crust is key for adding texture. Graham crackers are the perfect pick. Use your fingers or a spoon to firmly press 2 1/2 cups fine graham cracker crumbs mixed with 1/2 cup melted butter into an 8×8 inch pan lined with parchment paper. This forms the foundation.
- Make the Magic Middle: In a small saucepan, stir, stir, stir 1 and 1/4 packed cups brown sugar and 1 can sweetened condensed milk over medium heat until bubbly. Let bubble 2-3 minutes, continuing to stir constantly. This transforms the ingredients into luscious homemade caramel. Spread over the crust.
- Chill Out: Allow the bars to chill, covered, in the fridge for at least 2 hours. This firms up the caramel layer and ensures perfect cutting.
- Blanket in Chocolate: ncover the pan and sprinkle 1 and 1/2 cups chocolate chips over the caramel. In 5 minutes they’ll soften, then spread into an even layer of chocolatey goodness. Return to the fridge for 30 more minutes.
- Cut and Customize: Lift the entire slab out of the pan by the parchment overhang. Cut into 1.5 inch squares with a sharp knife. Gently remove each piece and decorate the tops with anything you like – powedered sugar, nuts, coconut, pretzels, etc. Dig in to caramel-chocolate bliss!
- Enjoy Those Layers: With the contrasts of texture between the crisp crust, gooey caramel, and velvet chocolate, every bite of these Caramelita Bars is sheer delight. Make them ASAP!
Cooking tips:
- Use full sheet graham crackers, not pre-cut squares, for the most crisp crust. Just break into pieces before blending into crumbs.
- If your caramel mixture crystallizes after cooking, simply return it to the saucepan over low heat and stir constantly until smooth again.
- For the finest texture, chill the bars overnight before cutting. Use a sharp knife wiped clean between each cut.
- Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Let sit at room temperature for 10 minutes before serving if too firm.
- Customize your bars with different mix-ins! Try peanut butter chips, toffee bits, crushed pretzels, or coconut in the crust.
- Top with crushed candy bars, salted peanuts, flaky sea salt, or drizzles of caramel or chocolate sauce before serving.
