Description
Better Than Anything Bars are a decadent layered dessert featuring a vanilla cake mix crust topped with a gooey blend of sweetened condensed milk, chocolate chips, butterscotch chips, nuts, and finished with a drizzle of caramel sauce. These bars are rich, chewy, and offer a delightful combination of textures and flavors, perfect for any occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
Crust
- 1 box of vanilla cake mix (15.25 oz)
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 large egg
Filling
- 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)
Topping
- 1/2 cup caramel sauce (store-bought or homemade)
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish or line it with parchment paper to ensure easy removal of the bars later.
- Make the Crust Dough: In a medium bowl, combine the vanilla cake mix, melted butter, and egg. Stir well until a thick, uniform dough forms.
- Form the Crust Layer: Press the dough evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking dish, creating an even crust for the bars.
- Bake the Crust: Bake the crust in the oven for 10-12 minutes, or until it begins to turn golden brown. Remove it from the oven and let it cool slightly before adding the filling.
- Prepare the Filling: While the crust is baking, place the sweetened condensed milk, semi-sweet chocolate chips, butterscotch chips, and crushed nuts (if using) in a medium saucepan over low heat. Stir frequently until the chips are completely melted and the mixture is smooth.
- Assemble the Bars: Pour the melted chip mixture evenly over the slightly cooled crust, spreading it to cover the entire surface.
- Bake the Bars: Return the baking dish to the oven and bake for an additional 15-20 minutes, until the filling is set and bubbly around the edges.
- Cool and Add Topping: Remove the bars from the oven and allow them to cool completely in the dish. Once cooled, drizzle the caramel sauce evenly over the top.
- Chill and Serve: Refrigerate the bars for at least 1 hour to help them set. Cut into 24 squares and serve.
Notes
- You can substitute pecans or walnuts with your favorite nuts or omit them for a nut-free version.
- For an extra gooey topping, warm the caramel sauce slightly before drizzling.
- Store bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
- To make cutting easier, use a warm knife dipped in hot water and wiped dry before slicing.
