Knock You Naked Bars: A Caramel-Chocolate Dream

Introduction & Inspiration

As someone who loves a good dessert bar, I’m always on the lookout for recipes that are both delicious and easy to prepare. These Knock You Naked Bars definitely fit the bill! They’re a classic dessert that’s been enjoyed for generations, and it’s easy to see why. The combination of chocolate chip cookie dough, gooey caramel, and creamy peanut butter is simply irresistible. The inspiration for this recipe came from my desire to create a dessert that was both decadent and comforting, perfect for sharing with friends and family or enjoying as a special treat.

Homemade Focus

While you can certainly use store-bought cookie dough and caramel sauce, I encourage you to embrace the homemade goodness of this recipe and make both components from scratch. It’s easier than you might think, and the flavor payoff is immense! Homemade cookie dough and caramel sauce have a richer, more complex flavor that elevates these bars to a whole new level.

Flavor Goal

The goal here is to create a dessert bar that’s bursting with sweet and decadent flavors, with a delightful contrast of textures. We’re talking buttery, chewy cookie dough, gooey caramel, creamy peanut butter, and melty chocolate chips. This combination creates a symphony of flavors that will tantalize your taste buds and leave you wanting more.

Ingredient Insights

Let’s explore the key players in these decadent bars:

• All-Purpose Flour: All-purpose flour provides the structure for the cookie dough base and topping.
• Baking Soda: Baking soda acts as a leavening agent, helping the cookie dough to rise slightly and become chewy.
• Salt: Salt balances the sweetness and enhances the flavors of the other ingredients.
• Butter: Softened butter adds richness and flavor to the cookie dough.
• Granulated Sugar and Brown Sugar: Both granulated sugar and brown sugar add sweetness and contribute to the chewy texture of the cookie dough.
• Vanilla Extract: Vanilla extract enhances the flavor of the cookie dough.
• Eggs: Eggs bind the cookie dough ingredients together.
• Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips: Semi-sweet chocolate chips add a burst of chocolate flavor and a delightful texture to the cookie dough.
• Evaporated Milk: Evaporated milk adds creaminess and richness to the caramel sauce.
• Caramels: Caramels melt down to create a gooey and flavorful caramel sauce.
• Peanut Butter: Peanut butter adds a creamy texture and a nutty flavor that complements the caramel beautifully.

Equipment

You’ll need a few essential tools to make these Knock You Naked Bars:

• 9×13 inch baking pan
• Mixing bowls
• Electric mixer or a sturdy spoon
• Double boiler or a heat-safe bowl set over a saucepan of simmering water

Ingredients

Bars:

• 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup butter, softened
• ¾ cup granulated sugar
• ¾ cup packed brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 eggs
• 2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips

Caramel Sauce:

• 5 oz evaporated milk
• 1 bag (14 oz) caramels
• ½ cup peanut butter

Instructions

1. Preheat and Prep: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9×13 inch baking pan.
2. Make Cookie Dough: In a small bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. In a large bowl, cream together the butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar, and vanilla extract until light and fluffy. ¹ Beat in the eggs one at a time. ² Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Stir in the chocolate chips.  
3. Bake the Base: Spread half of the cookie dough into the prepared pan. Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until lightly golden.
4. Make Caramel Sauce: While the base is baking, melt the caramels and evaporated milk in a double boiler or a heat-safe bowl set over a saucepan of simmering water. Once melted, stir in the peanut butter until smooth.
5. Layer and Bake: Spread the caramel sauce over the baked cookie base. Drop spoonfuls of the remaining cookie dough over the caramel layer. Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until golden brown.
6. Cool and Serve: Let the bars cool completely in the pan before cutting and serving.

Troubleshooting

• Bars too soft: If the bars are too soft, bake them for a few minutes longer. You can also chill them in the refrigerator for a firmer texture.
• Caramel too thick: If the caramel is too thick, you can add a tablespoon or two of milk or cream to thin it out.
• Bars sticking to the pan: Make sure to grease the pan well before adding the cookie dough. You can also line the pan with parchment paper for easier removal.

Tips and Variations

• For a richer flavor, you can use brown butter instead of regular butter in the cookie dough.
• Feel free to add other mix-ins to the cookie dough, such as chopped nuts or different types of chocolate chips.
• You can also experiment with different flavors of caramel, such as salted caramel or chocolate caramel.

Serving and Pairing Suggestions

These Knock You Naked Bars are a decadent treat that can be enjoyed on their own or with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a glass of milk. They’re perfect for parties, potlucks, bake sales, or a special dessert any time of day.

Nutritional Information

(Per serving, approximate)

• Calories: ~350
• Fat: ~20g
• Cholesterol: ~50mg
• Sodium: ~200mg
• Carbohydrates: ~40g
• Protein: ~5g

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Recipe Summary and Q&A

Recipe Name: Knock You Naked Bars

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 25-30 minutes

Yields: 12 bars

Q: Can I use a different type of flour?

A: All-purpose flour is recommended for this recipe, but you can experiment with other types of flour, such as whole wheat flour or a gluten-free blend.

Q: Can I make these bars ahead of time?

A: Absolutely! You can bake the bars ahead of time and store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months.

Q: Can I use a different type of nut butter?

A: Yes, you can use any type of nut butter that you like, such as almond butter, cashew butter, or sunflower seed butter.