Tuesday, February 24, 2009

TWD: Caramel Crunch Bars


This week's Tuesdays with Dorie selection is the Caramel Crunch Bars, a fabulous layered bar cookie with lots of chocolate and a toffee topping. I read the recipe thinking, "this will be great! I love caramel!" But after eating it, I thought, "these are great! I love toffee!" I didn't really taste the caramel, just lots of toffee.

Mine were a bit crunchy, which had me questioning if I overcooked them a bit. But after I've read that other's were also crunchy, I happily determined that it wasn't my error - it's just how they are.

They came together quite nicely for me. The dough was yummy, of course, with the instant espresso powder and the chopped bittersweet chocolate mixed in.


Getting the dough to spread into the 13x9" pan was a little tricky. My fingers came in handy!


The bottom layer was baked until bubbly and golden. I kind of wanted to take a taste right then and there. But I refrained. I can occasionally be patient.


The bottom layer is then sprinkled with chocolate. I chose to use milk chocolate chips that were hiding out in my cupboard. Then it went back in the oven for just a couple of minutes to soften up the chocolate.


Then the chocolate is spread. There's nothing quite like melted chocolate. Yum.


The final step - sprinkling on bits of chopped toffee and pressing them down lightly into the chocolate. I used a little more toffee than called for. And a little more chocolate than called for in the step above this one. And then I wonder why my hips look the way they do.


The bars cut nicely for me and looked so perfect. I consumed several and then packed up the rest and sent them to work with my husband. They were a hit - big surprise.



The selection this week was made by Whitney of What's Left on the Table. Check out her blog for the recipe. And check back next week for a cake that involves setting something on fire. I'm putting the fire station on speed dial.

18 comments:

farah said...

Wow, these look great! Your photos are really good. Glad you enjoyed them :)

Elyse said...

Yum! Your bars look so delicious!! What great flavor combinations!

Anonymous said...

Hahah I am SO nervous to light stuff on fire next week! Your bars look great!!!

chocolatechic said...

That last picture is fabulous.

Mine wasn't crunchy...which makes me wonder if I under cooked them...

TeaLady said...

Melissa, that last picture says/shows it all. They look absolutely fabulous.

Welcome to our crazy blessed life said...

Mine were a little bit crunchy but delicious! Love that last picture for the individual bar. Yum!

Anonymous said...

Your bars look gorgeous. YUM!

Kristin said...

Your cookies look great!

Anonymous said...

I love the last photo. These were more toffee than caramel, but they were good either way!

Pamela said...

Everyone that ate them loved them, even when I wasn't so sure it was a winner. Great pictures!

Jaime said...

they look great! mine were actually soft and not crunchy at all - you may have overbaked them just a tad

Anonymous said...

Ok, those are picture perfect bars! Weren't they just the best? I made 2 batches - with both versions of the toffee bits, just to compare. :) Yours look fantastic!

CookingCourtney said...

those look so good!

Cathy said...

I didn't detect any much in the way of caramel either. But the toffee more than made up for that! We loved these. I think this is one I will make again and again (with extra chocolate and heath, of course!) Yours look perfect!

Anonymous said...

These look great! I mostly tasted toffee too.

Unknown said...

You did a really really really great job. I can not tell you how happy I was with this recipe. It was a nice change for me. I do not think I have glowed over a TWD recipe since the French Pear Tart. I just love chocolate!

Maria said...

Great job on the bars. They look awesome!

Kastina said...

EEeeek! Okay you're good.