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I gotta tell you about these dessert bars that started a frenzy at our community bake sale! I played around with several candy combinations until I landed on these Butterfinger Caramel Crunch Bars that everyone now begs me for. The mix of that crumbly graham base, sticky caramel and crunchy Butterfinger chunks under a layer of velvety chocolate creates total sweet tooth paradise! My children actually fought over who would get to finish the last square.
What Makes These Bars So Tempting
These treats stand out from regular dessert squares! Each component adds something magical from the snap of the graham foundation to the silky chocolate covering. When I took these to my daughter's team celebration last month, her coach wanted me to bake them for all future matches! Even my buddy who always says sweets aren't her thing couldn't stop grabbing more.
Your Shopping List
- For The Base:
- Homemade graham crumbs work best
- Melted unsalted butter
- White sugar
- For The Filling:
- Unwrapped caramels or bits
- Whipping cream
- Smashed Butterfinger candy bars
- For The Top:
- Quality semi-sweet chips
- Additional butter
- Crushed Butterfinger pieces to scatter
Time To Get Baking
- Building Your Tasty Foundation
- We'll start by making that buttery graham cracker base. Your whole house will smell amazing while it bakes! My kids always hang around the kitchen hoping to clean the mixing bowl.
- Caramel Transformation
- Blending caramel with cream makes this incredible gooey middle layer. Seeing it flow across the warm base is so satisfying! Then comes the fun job of smashing those candy bars.
- Finishing Touch
- The rich chocolate layer on top pulls everything together. When you scatter those extra candy bits, it looks absolutely stunning!
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Foolproof Success Tips
Wanna know how I nail these bars every time? Put parchment in your pan with extra hanging off the sides for easy lifting! Give them plenty of cooling time for those clean slices. And my favorite trick is to cool your knife between cuts to get those picture-perfect squares!
Ways To Serve
These treats work for any gathering! They travel really well to cookouts without falling apart. For school fundraisers I wrap them separately and they sell out fast. Sometimes I'll add extra chocolate drizzles when I want them to look fancy for guests!
Prep Ahead Bonus
Here's a handy party trick these goodies actually taste better on day two! The flavors blend together wonderfully overnight. They stay fresh in your fridge for about a week if you can keep your hands off them. I usually make two batches and tuck some away in the freezer for when I need a quick treat though my family has gotten pretty good at finding my hidden stash!
Try New Twists
Feel free to switch things up! I sometimes swap in milk chocolate for a sweeter touch. My son came up with adding a peanut butter swirl which was a total game changer! I've tried them with Heath bar chunks instead and they turned out fantastic too. That's the fun of baking finding your own perfect twist!
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More Than Just Sweets
These bars have become our family's go-to celebration treat! There's nothing better than creating something that brings instant smiles. My kids join in the baking process, helping smash cookies and stack layers, watching basic ingredients turn into something amazing.
The real joy isn't just how tasty they are but seeing everyone's reaction with that first bite! Whether you're whipping them up for a birthday, fundraiser or just because you're craving something sweet, they always deliver. And when people realize they can make something tastier than store-bought treats? That's what makes time in the kitchen truly worth it!
Frequently Asked Questions
- → Can I prep this in advance?
- Absolutely! They keep for up to 5 days on the counter or a week if chilled.
- → What’s the parchment for?
- It’s a lifesaver for lifting and slicing the bars perfectly once they’re firm.
- → What candy swaps work?
- Heath, Skor, or other bars add their own twist—give it a try!
- → Any tips for nice cuts?
- Warm a sharp knife in hot water, then wipe it clean after each slice.