Monday, August 22, 2011

Caramel Bars



It's Secret Recipe Club Reveal Day! This month, I was assigned Frugal Antics of a Harried Homemaker. Kristen has lots of great recipes on her blog, and I bookmarked several more to make in the future. But as soon as I saw this recipe, I knew it was the one I would make.

I absolutely adore all things caramel, and I had a yellow cake mix languishing in my pantry, so the choice was obvious. And it was a great choice. I may have to send Kristen a bill for the stretch pants I will now need to purchase, since I have eaten more than my "fair share," snuck right out of the fridge. I did also bring them to work where my colleagues gave these bars a double thumbs up. So all in all, a great recipe to add to the collection.

Start by combining the butter, sweetened condensed milk



and caramels in a medium saucepan.



(So, already you know this is going to be good. Butter, sweetened condensed milk and caramels????? Sign me up. Oh, I guess I'm already signed up.)

Cook over medium low heat, stirring frequently, until the mixture is smooth.



Then remove from the heat and let it cool. While it's cooling, combine the cake mix, eggs, milk and oil



in a large mixing bowl and beat until well combined. Then stir in the chocolate chips.



Now spread about 3/4 of the cake mixture into a greased cake pan.



Bake the crust for 10 minutes, then cool for another 10. Then top with that amazingly delicious caramel sauce.



Dollop the remaining cake mix over the caramel.



Return the bars to the oven and bake for 25-30 minutes or until the top cake mixture is golden.



Let the bars cool for 15 minutes, then cut them (believe me, you'll want to do this now!) and pop them in the fridge. Let them cool in the fridge for at least an hour (time to go buy some stretch pants!), and refrigerate any leftovers.

Be sure to visit all the other Secret Recipe Club members below.

One year ago: August Pie
Two years ago: Banana Blueberry Coffeecake

Find more great stuff at Mouthwatering Monday, Mangia Monday, Your Recipe, My Kitchen, Make a Food "E" Friend Monday, Tempt my Tummy Tuesday, Tasty Tuesday, Tuesday at the Table, Totally Tasty Tuesdays, A Little Birdie Told Me, Tasty Tuesday (#2), Tasty Tuesday (#3).

Caramel Bars

1 yellow cake mix
2 eggs
1/3 cup oil
2 Tbsp. milk
1 cup milk chocolate chips
32 caramels (1 - 8 oz. package)
1 can sweetened condensed milk
1/2 cup butter

In a heavy saucepan, combine the butter, sweetened condensed milk and caramels over medium low heat. Stir until the caramels are melted and the mixture is smooth. Remove from heat and let cool.

In a large mixing bowl, beat the cake mix with the eggs and oil. Stir in the chocolate chips. Press three fourths of the mixture into a greased 9x13 pan. Bake at 350 for 10 minutes. Remove from oven and let cool 10 minutes.

Spread caramel sauce over crust. Top with spoonfuls of remaining cake mixture. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until golden brown. Cool 15 minutes, cut into small squares and then refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving. Refrigerate leftovers. Makes 30 bars.

28 comments:

  1. These look like some dangerously delicious bars! Anything that has that much caramel is a winner in my book!

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  2. Sara, these look great. I'm a little afraid to try them though! I don't know if I'll be able to stop at just one or two or three. I can't wait to have guests over, will try them then!

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  3. These bars look so good and perfect for sharing. I will need to bookmark this recipe for the next get together I'm invited to.

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  4. The bars look excellent. I'm starting to crave caramel.

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  5. Oh my gosh! I have this one bookmarked too. It looks amazing!!!

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  6. Your bars look totally delicious! If you haven't already, I'd love for you to check out my Group 'A" ~ SRC recipe this month: Cilantro Lime Chicken

    Lisa~~
    Cook Lisa Cook

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  7. Sorry about the stretch pants ;-)but glad you liked the recipe. It's one of our favorites.

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  8. SO it's like a cake, chocolate chip cook, and has caramel on it? Holy cow this is my dream bar! Visiting from SRC.

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  9. These look great! I love caramel!

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  10. I have seen so many good desserts today, I'm just drooling!! Caramel is like pure comfort!

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  11. Ooh sign me up too! These look ridiculously delicious!

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  12. Oh my insanity! Pure yummy insanity!

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  13. Those do look amazing, and I totally relate to not being able to resist the entire plate! I made bars for SRC too as you know ;)

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  14. Yummy, I was just looking tonight at a recipe for caramel apple pie. these bars look very tasty. Great post Andi


    http://thewednesdaybaker.blogspot.com/2011/08/perfect-chocolate-chip-cookie.html

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  15. WOW, I love caramel too. Never made a bar like these! :-)

    Thanks again for being a part of SRC and being a part of my first group, I enjoyed being your host! Now, I get to visit everyone's blog, THIS IS THE FUN PART!

    Come check out my Secret Recipe Club Post: Cucumber Salad http://momscrazycooking.blogspot.com/2011/08/cucumber-salad-secret-recipe-club.html

    or my second post for the SRC Raspberry and Nutella Pizza
    http://momscrazycooking.blogspot.com/2011/08/raspberry-nutella-pizza-secret-recipe.html

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  16. I may be with you on the stretch pants. These look delectable!

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  17. Oooh la la I am right there with you on your love of all things caramel. I instantly had to check these out. I want one three of these for breakfast right now!

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  18. wow gooey and yum!

    Love, Traci @ Ordinary Inspirations

    http://www.ordinaryinspirations.blogspot.com

    Stop by anytime!

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  19. YUM! What a GREAT recipe! Cast Party Wednesday starts tonight at 12:00 midnight. I would love it if you came over tomorrow and shared some recipes with us.
    Thanks,
    I hope to see you there!
    http://ladybehindthecurtain.com

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  20. This looks wonderful. I will definitely be making this. I linked to you from Make a Foodie Friend Monday. Thanks

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  21. Yum. You had me at caramel. I LOVE the stuff.

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  22. Looks great! SRC is turning out to be so much fun — lots of new recipes to try!

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  23. I can't wait to try this recipe! I'm your newest follower, check me out and follow back at http://materialgirlgreen.blogspot.com !

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  24. Oh my goodness! I just love all that chocolatey, caramely goodness! Thank you so much for linking up to "A Little Birdie Told Me..." at Rook No. 17!

    Jenn

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  25. My mouth is watering just reading the recipe! I can't wait to try this myself

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