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Caramel Layer Bars – rich and chocolate brownie filled with chocolate chips and gooey caramel. You will not be able to stay away from them!
I think that desserts that you grew up with are probably the best. My mom always made me chocolate cream cake for my birthday dessert as a kid. I still ask for it today. And when you went to grandma’s house and always had Fudge Nut bars or something else there. You have fond memories of it. Well today, these caramel layer bars are straight from my grandma.
My grandma baked a few desserts that I can remember always being at her house. In the fall it was Apple Bars. The rest of the year, it was these caramel layer bars. They were a huge hit, and my mom made them at home too. When I had my first apartment in college, I remember making them often as well.
My husband, who doesn’t like chocolate, has always liked these. He used to request them when we were first married. That gooey caramel layer will sucker just about anyone in! These caramel layer bars were one of the first recipes I shared on the blog when I started, and today I am updating the pictures and sharing them with you again. They are just too good to miss.
The base is a box cake mix. I am sure you could make a homemade brownie or something, but sometimes you just have to trust Grandma, and use the box mix. Plus, it makes it so easy to make! The recipe calls for a German chocolate cake mix. I am sure others would work, I would just be careful with the ones that have added chocolate chips, or say they have pudding in the mix. I would worry they might be too moist or gooey to stand up to the caramel.
I have noticed that over the years, they have shrunk the size of a bag of caramels. When I first started making this, a 14 oz bag was standard. Now, it is 11 oz. Up to you what you want to do there. I opted to buy a 2nd bag and use some of it. It really isn’t an exact science, so if you don’t want the 2nd bag, 11 oz will work just fine!
I have seen these caramel layer bars around with many names, but I am sticking with the one I grew up with. If you grew up in the Mid West, hopefully these will bring back fond memories for you too!
Caramel Layer Bars
Caramel Layer Bars are a Midwest classic made with German chocolate cake mix, gooey melted caramels, and chocolate chips. An easy, nostalgic bar cookie recipe Grandma always made.
Ingredients
- 15.25 oz box German Chocolate Cake Mix
- 10 tablespoons butter, melted
- 2/3 cup evaporated milk, divided
- 11 oz caramels, unwrapped
- 1 cup chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350º F. Line a 9-inch square baking dish with foil or grease well. Set aside.
- Combine Cake mix, melted butter, and 1/3 cup milk. Mix well. Put half of mixture into prepared pan and spread into an even layer. Bake for 6 minutes.15.25 oz box German Chocolate Cake Mix, 10 tablespoons butter, 2/3 cup evaporated milk
- Meanwhile, melt caramel and 1/3 cup evaporated milk, at 30 second intervals, stirring after each, until it is completely melted and smooth. Let it cool slightly while the base bakes.11 oz caramels
- Remove the pan from the oven and sprinkle evenly with 1 cup chocolate chips. Pour the caramel mixture over the top and gently spread into an even layer.1 cup chocolate chips
- Crumble the remaining dough over the caramel, it will have set up and while the based baked, so you can crumble it more like a cookie dough.
- Bake for 22-25 minutes. Remove from oven and allow to cool completely before serving.
Notes
- Caramel quantity: The original recipe called for a 14 oz bag (about 50 caramels). Kraft bags are now 11 oz (about 36 caramels).
- Cake mix size: All major brands (Betty Crocker, Duncan Hines, Pillsbury) are 15.25 oz. Use one box as written.
- Cake mix type: Avoid mixes labeled “with pudding in the mix” as they can make the dough too soft.
- Caramel bits shortcut: Kraft Caramel Bits (sold in the baking aisle, already unwrapped) work perfectly here. Use by weight as a substitute.
- Storage: Airtight container at room temperature for 4 days, refrigerator for 1 week, freezer for 2 months.
Nutrition
Calories: 323kcal | Carbohydrates: 43g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 16g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 0.3g | Cholesterol: 25mg | Sodium: 346mg | Potassium: 165mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 31g | Vitamin A: 278IU | Vitamin C: 0.3mg | Calcium: 110mg | Iron: 1mg
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Like this recipe? Leave a comment below!
Two words… Yes, please!
Two words… Yes, please!
These look ridiculous! My only worry is that I would eat them all!! hahaa
That is a legitimate concern!
My aunt has made these since I was a kid and they are the BEST. I recently asked her to send the recipe but I was curious to see if I could find it online- and here it is! The only difference is she has 1/3 c evaporated milk with the caramels. I’m making these for a family reunion for my husbands family tomorrow. I’m sure it’ll be a hit!
That’s how I ended up here. My MIL made them for Mother’s Day and they were so good. I asked for the recipe, and she sent me a photo of a recipe card. I wanted an online version too. Same difference – only 1/3 c evap milk with the caramels.
Yay! I have lived this recipe for years. Life has been made easier since Kraft now makes 11oz bags of Caramel Bits. No more unwrapping of caramel candies needed!