Description
Better Than Anything Bars are a sweet, decadent dessert that combines layers of gooey caramel, chocolate, and crushed cookies. With a buttery crust, rich filling, and indulgent topping, this dessert is sure to be a crowd favorite and perfect for parties, potlucks, or just a sweet treat at home.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 box of vanilla cake mix (15.25 oz)
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 large egg
- 1 can (14 oz) sweetened condensed milk
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1 cup butterscotch chips
- 1/2 cup crushed pecans or walnuts (optional)
- 1/2 cup caramel sauce (store-bought or homemade)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish or line it with parchment paper for easy removal of the bars.
- In a medium bowl, combine the vanilla cake mix, melted butter, and egg. Stir until well combined and a thick dough forms.
- Press the dough evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking dish to form the crust layer.
- Bake the crust for 10-12 minutes, or until it starts to turn golden brown. Remove from the oven and let it cool slightly.
- While the crust is baking, combine the sweetened condensed milk, chocolate chips, butterscotch chips, and crushed pecans or walnuts (if using) in a medium saucepan over low heat. Stir occasionally until the chocolate and butterscotch chips are fully melted and smooth.
- Pour the melted mixture over the slightly cooled crust, spreading it evenly to cover.
- Return the dish to the oven and bake for an additional 15-20 minutes, or until the center is set and bubbly.
- Remove the bars from the oven and allow them to cool completely in the baking dish. Once cooled, drizzle with caramel sauce and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to help set the bars.
- Cut into squares and serve. Enjoy!
Notes
- Feel free to substitute the butterscotch chips with peanut butter chips for a different flavor twist.
- If you prefer a firmer texture, you can chill the bars for longer in the fridge, allowing the layers to set more solidly.
- For a more festive touch, try adding a sprinkle of sea salt on top after drizzling with caramel for a sweet and salty contrast.
- If you don’t have a 9×13-inch pan, you can use a smaller one, but adjust the baking time as necessary to ensure the bars cook through.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 300 kcal
- Sugar: 28 g
- Sodium: 200 mg
- Fat: 17 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 34 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 40 mg