Description
Knock You Naked Bars are irresistibly gooey and packed with rich flavors from caramel, chocolate chips, and chopped pecans layered between buttery cookie dough. Baked to golden perfection, these bars offer a delightful balance of textures and are perfect for dessert, snacks, or gifting.
Ingredients
Scale
Baking Dough
- 1 cup unsalted butter
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup packed brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1 cup chopped pecans
Caramel Layer
- 14 ounces caramel squares (individually wrapped)
- ⅓ cup heavy cream
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang for easy removal.
- Cream Butter and Sugars: In a large mixing bowl, cream together the unsalted butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar using an electric mixer until the mixture is light and fluffy.
- Add Eggs and Vanilla: Beat in the eggs one at a time, ensuring each is fully incorporated before adding the next, then mix in the vanilla extract for flavor.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add these dry ingredients to the butter mixture, mixing until just combined to avoid overworking the dough.
- Incorporate Chocolate Chips and Pecans: Fold in the semi-sweet chocolate chips and chopped pecans gently to evenly distribute them throughout the dough.
- Spread Half the Dough: Transfer half of the dough to the prepared baking pan and press it down evenly to form a uniform base layer.
- Melt the Caramel: In a saucepan over low heat, melt the caramel squares along with the heavy cream, stirring constantly until smooth and fully melted.
- Add Caramel Layer: Pour the melted caramel over the dough base layer in the baking pan and spread it evenly using a spatula.
- Top with Remaining Dough: Drop spoonfuls of the remaining dough over the caramel layer and gently spread to cover as much of the caramel as possible.
- Bake: Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 25 to 30 minutes, until the top turns golden brown and a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean.
- Cool Completely: Remove the pan from the oven and allow the bars to cool completely on a wire rack to set the layers firmly.
- Cut and Serve: Using the parchment paper overhang, lift the bars out of the pan and cut them into squares for serving.
Notes
- Use parchment paper in the pan for easy removal of bars.
- Don’t overbake to maintain a gooey center.
- Spread dough and caramel layers evenly for consistent texture.
- Swap pecans for walnuts or almonds if preferred.
- Try dark chocolate chips for a richer flavor variation.
- Sprinkle sea salt over caramel before baking for a sweet and salty contrast.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25-30 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: knock you naked bars, caramel bars, chocolate chip bars, pecan bars, gooey bars, dessert bars, homemade dessert
