Caramel Chocolate Knock You Naked Bars

Hi I'm Benjamin

Everyday Culinary Delights👩‍🍳

Posted on February 11, 2025

Few desserts can match the rich, gooey, and utterly indulgent nature of these Caramel-Filled Chocolate Delight Bars. With layers of buttery cookie dough, molten caramel, and melty chocolate, this dessert is soft, chewy, and packed with flavor.

Whether you’re making them for a holiday gathering, a bake sale, or a weekend indulgence, these bars are a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. The combination of sweet caramel, rich chocolate chips, and soft cookie layers makes every bite unforgettable.

Why You’ll Love These Caramel-Filled Chocolate Bars

1. The Perfect Balance of Sweet and Salty

The buttery cookie dough and gooey caramel create a sweet, nutty richness, while a pinch of salt balances out the flavors, preventing them from becoming overly sweet.

2. Soft, Gooey, and Chewy in Every Bite

The texture is what sets these bars apart. The chewy cookie layers, the silky smooth caramel, and the melting pockets of chocolate make each bite completely satisfying.

3. A Bakery-Quality Dessert That’s Easy to Make

Despite their gourmet taste, these bars are surprisingly easy to put together. No special equipment or advanced baking skills are needed—just basic ingredients and an oven!

4. Versatile for Any Occasion

These bars are perfect for nearly any event:
✔ Holiday dessert platters
✔ Bake sales and potlucks
✔ Birthday celebrations
✔ A weekend indulgence with coffee or tea

5. They Stay Fresh for Days

Unlike some baked goods that dry out quickly, these bars remain soft and chewy for several days, making them great for meal prep or gifting.

Ingredients:

For the Dough:

All-purpose flour
Baking soda
Salt
Unsalted butter, softened
Granulated sugar
Brown sugar, packed
Vanilla extract
Large eggs
Semi-sweet chocolate chips

For the Caramel Layer:

Evaporated milk
Caramel candies, unwrapped
Peanut butter

Directions:

Prepare the Oven and Pan: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking pan to prevent sticking.
Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
Cream Butter and Sugars: In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar 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. Mix in the vanilla extract.
Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, mixing until just combined. Stir in the semi-sweet chocolate chips.
Assemble the Base Layer: Spread half of the cookie dough evenly into the prepared baking pan. Bake in the preheated oven for 8–10 minutes, until the edges are lightly golden. Remove from the oven and set aside.
Prepare the Caramel Filling: In a double boiler or a heatproof bowl set over simmering water, melt the unwrapped caramel candies with the evaporated milk, stirring until smooth. Once melted, stir in the peanut butter until fully combined.
Layer the Caramel: Pour the caramel mixture over the partially baked cookie base, spreading it evenly.
Top with Remaining Dough: Drop spoonfuls of the remaining cookie dough over the caramel layer. It’s okay if some caramel peeks through.
Final Bake: Return the pan to the oven and bake for an additional 15–20 minutes, or until the top is light golden brown.
Cool and Serve: Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack. Once cooled, cut into squares and enjoy.

Nutritional Information (Per Serving):

Calories: Approximately 439
Carbohydrates: 52g
Protein: 6g
Fat: 22g
Saturated Fat: 12g
Cholesterol: 45mg
Sodium: 311mg
Fiber: 2g
Sugar: 27g

Secrets to Making the Best Caramel-Filled Chocolate Bars

1. Use High-Quality Caramel for the Best Texture

The caramel layer is the heart of this dessert, so using real caramel candies or a high-quality caramel sauce ensures a smooth, velvety filling.

2. Slightly Underbake for a Gooey Texture

To achieve the ultimate chewiness, remove the bars from the oven just before they look fully set. They will continue to firm up as they cool.

3. Toast the Pecans for Extra Flavor

If you want to enhance the nutty notes, lightly toasting the pecans before adding them to the batter will bring out their natural oils and intensify their flavor.

4. Let the Bars Cool Before Cutting

Resist the urge to slice into them right away! Letting them fully cool ensures clean, even cuts and prevents the caramel from oozing too much.

5. Use a Sharp Knife and Grease It for Clean Slices

Caramel can be sticky, so using a sharp knife greased with butter or cooking spray will help create clean, beautiful squares.

Fun Variations to Try

1. Salted Caramel Chocolate Bars

Sprinkle flaky sea salt on top before baking for a sweet-salty contrast that elevates the caramel flavor.

2. Dark Chocolate Caramel Bars

Swap semi-sweet chocolate chips for dark chocolate for a more intense, slightly bitter chocolate experience.

3. Peanut Butter Caramel Bars

Add swirls of peanut butter into the caramel layer before baking for an irresistible peanut butter-caramel fusion.

4. S’mores Caramel Bars

Mix in graham cracker crumbs into the dough and top with mini marshmallows for a s’mores-inspired twist.

5. Espresso Caramel Bars

Add a teaspoon of instant espresso powder to the dough for a subtle coffee flavor that enhances the chocolate.

Best Ways to Serve Caramel Chocolate Bars

1. Warm with Ice Cream

Serve slightly warmed bars with a scoop of vanilla, caramel, or butter pecan ice cream for an extra indulgent dessert.

2. Drizzled with Chocolate or Caramel Sauce

A drizzle of warm melted chocolate or extra caramel sauce takes these bars to another level.

3. Paired with Coffee or Hot Chocolate

The richness of these bars pairs beautifully with a strong cup of coffee, espresso, or creamy hot chocolate.

4. As a Holiday Gift

Wrap them in parchment paper and place them in a festive tin—they make the perfect homemade holiday gift.

How to Store & Keep Fresh

Refrigeration:

Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
If your kitchen is warm, refrigerate them for up to a week to keep the caramel firm.

Freezing:

Wrap individual bars in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer-safe container.
Freeze for up to 3 months and thaw at room temperature before serving.

Reheating:

Microwave for 10–15 seconds to restore the warm, gooey texture.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can I Make These Without Nuts?

Yes! You can omit the pecans or replace them with walnuts, almonds, or hazelnuts.

2. Can I Use Store-Bought Caramel Sauce Instead of Melting Caramels?

Yes! Choose a thick, high-quality caramel sauce, and mix it with a little heavy cream to keep it soft after baking.

3. How Do I Prevent the Caramel from Sticking to the Knife?

Let the bars cool completely before cutting.
Use a sharp knife greased with butter or cooking spray.
Warm the knife slightly before slicing for cleaner cuts.

4. Can I Use a Different Type of Flour?

Yes! You can substitute gluten-free all-purpose flour to make these bars completely gluten-free.

5. Can I Make These Bars Ahead of Time?

Absolutely! These bars taste even better the next day as the flavors meld together.

6. Can I Add a Crunchy Crust to These Bars?

Yes! Press graham cracker crumbs or crushed shortbread cookies into the bottom of the pan before adding the dough for extra texture.

Final Thoughts – A Must-Try Indulgent Dessert

These Caramel-Filled Chocolate Delight Bars are pure bliss in every bite—with their buttery dough, rich chocolate, and gooey caramel, they are the perfect treat for any occasion.

Whether you serve them at a holiday party, bring them to a bake sale, or simply enjoy them with a cup of coffee, these bars are bound to be a crowd favorite.

So why wait? Gather your ingredients, preheat the oven, and bake a batch of these irresistible bars today!