Description
Chewy Nutty Squirrel Bars are a rich and indulgent dessert featuring a buttery chocolate crust, a smooth caramel layer, and a crunchy nut topping. These bars offer a satisfying mix of textures and flavors, making them a perfect treat for any occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 sticks unsalted butter, softened and divided
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1 ¼ cup flour
- ⅓ cup cocoa powder
- 1 (14 oz) can sweetened condensed milk
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 cup caramel baking chips
- ½ cup chopped almonds, pecans, or walnuts
- 4 tablespoons heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Prepare the Oven and Pan:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13-inch baking dish with parchment paper.
- Make the Crust:
- In a large bowl, beat together 1 cup powdered sugar and 1 ¾ sticks of softened butter until fluffy.
- Gradually mix in ⅓ cup cocoa powder and 1 ¼ cups flour until a thick dough forms.
- Press the dough evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
- Bake for 15 minutes, or until the crust is set.
- Prepare the Caramel Layer:
- In a medium saucepan, melt the reserved 2 tablespoons of butter with the sweetened condensed milk over low heat, stirring constantly. Remove from heat and stir in 2 teaspoons vanilla extract.
- Pour the caramel sauce over the baked crust and spread it evenly.
- Return to the oven and bake for 8-10 minutes, until the caramel is golden brown and bubbly.
- Prepare the Nut Topping:
- Toast ½ cup chopped nuts in a dry pan over medium heat until fragrant. Let cool slightly before chopping roughly.
- Melt 1 cup caramel baking chips with 4 tablespoons heavy cream in the microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring until smooth.
- Fold the toasted nuts and 1 teaspoon salt into the caramel sauce.
- Spread the nutty caramel mixture evenly over the baked caramel layer.
- Cool and Cut:
- Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan before cutting into squares.
Notes
- To ensure neat cuts, let the bars cool completely before slicing.
- Adjust the amount of nuts and caramel based on personal preference for crunch and sweetness.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25-30 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 square
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 22g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 30g