Get ready to discover a dessert that’s truly irresistible. These Knock You Naked Bars are legendary for a reason! Imagine gooey, chewy cookie layers hugging a rich, luscious caramel and peanut butter filling.
They’re a sensational, crowd-pleasing dessert that everyone will adore. This unique recipe brings together sweet and salty flavors in perfect harmony, creating a treat you won’t soon forget.
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love These Knock You Naked Bars
You’re going to fall in love with these delightful Knock You Naked Bars because they are simply irresistible and easy to make. They combine all the best elements of a homemade dessert with minimal fuss.
- This is an easy, fun, and unique cookie bar recipe perfect for any skill level.
- It features a simple, delicious, and incredibly gooey caramel layer that tastes heavenly.
- Baking soda, a common leavening agent, works with acidic ingredients to create carbon dioxide, which gives baked goods their light and airy texture, according to culinary science experts like those at BAKERpedia.
- Enjoy a quick preparation time, with only about 30 minutes of hands-on work.
- These peanut butter caramel bars are guaranteed to be a favorite at any gathering, party, or family night.
- The layers of chocolate chip cookie, rich caramel, and peanut butter create an unforgettable texture and flavor.
Ingredients
Making these amazing Knock You Naked Bars requires a few simple ingredients, most of which you probably already have on hand. Gather these essentials to create your next favorite dessert:
- 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup (2 sticks) softened butter
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- ¾ cup packed brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 eggs, at room temperature
- 2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 5 ounces evaporated milk
- 1 bag (14 oz) soft caramels, unwrapped
- ½ cup peanut butter
Notes & Substitutions
- Using room temperature eggs helps them incorporate better into the batter, creating a smoother, more uniform cookie dough.
- Feel free to swap semi-sweet chocolate chips for other varieties like milk, dark, or even white chocolate chips to change up the flavor profile of these incredible cookie bars.
- Remember, evaporated milk is unsweetened and thicker than regular milk, helping to create that smooth, rich caramel sauce; it is not the same as sweetened condensed milk.
- For clarity on their distinct uses, sources such as The Kitchn explain the difference between evaporated and sweetened condensed milk.
- Use soft, individually wrapped caramels for the best melting consistency. For the peanut butter, either smooth or crunchy works well, depending on your preference for added texture in your Knock You Naked Bars.
Equipment
Having the right tools makes baking these caramel cookie bars even simpler. You’ll need just a few basic kitchen items to get started:
- Measuring cups and spoons for accurate ingredient amounts.
- Several mixing bowls for combining wet and dry ingredients.
- A hand mixer to cream the butter and sugars efficiently.
- A standard 9×13 inch baking dish for the perfect size bars.
- A double boiler (or a heatproof bowl set over a saucepan of simmering water) for melting the caramel.
Instructions For Knock You Naked Bars
Creating these delightful Knock You Naked Bars is a straightforward process, perfect for any home baker. Follow these steps for gooey, delicious results every time.
- Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Generously grease a 9×13 inch baking pan and set it aside. This prevents sticking and ensures easy removal.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt. Set the dry ingredients aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, packed brown sugar, and vanilla extract until the mixture is light and fluffy. A hand mixer makes this step quick and easy.
- Add the eggs one at a time to the creamed mixture, beating well after each addition until fully incorporated and smooth.
- Gradually mix in the flour mixture from step 2 until just combined. Be careful not to overmix the dough. Then, gently fold in the chocolate chips until evenly distributed throughout the cookie dough.
- Press half of the prepared cookie dough mixture evenly into the bottom of your greased 9×13 inch baking pan.
- Bake the base layer in the preheated oven for 8-10 minutes. The edges should be lightly golden. Remove the pan from the oven after this initial bake.
- While the cookie base is baking, prepare your caramel layer. In a double boiler (or a heatproof bowl set over a saucepan of simmering water), melt the unwrapped caramels and evaporated milk together, stirring frequently until smooth and completely melted.
- Once the caramels are melted, stir in the peanut butter until it is thoroughly melted and smoothly incorporated into the caramel mixture.
- Carefully spread the warm caramel and peanut butter mixture evenly over the partially baked cookie dough base in the pan.
- With the remaining cookie dough, drop small spoonfuls over the caramel layer. Don’t worry about covering everything perfectly; the dough will spread as it bakes, creating a beautiful marbled top.
- Return the pan to the oven and bake for another 15-20 minutes, or until the top cookie layer is light golden brown.
- Cool the Knock You Naked Bars completely on a wire rack before attempting to slice and serve them. This is crucial for clean cuts and to allow the caramel to set properly.
Pro Tips & Troubleshooting
For the perfect Knock You Naked Bars, remember these helpful tips!
- Cool Completely: It’s tempting to dive right in, but allowing these irresistible caramel cookie bars to cool completely is essential for clean, non-gooey slices. The caramel needs time to set properly.
- Melting Caramel Without a Double Boiler: If you don’t have a double boiler, you can melt the caramels and evaporated milk in a microwave-safe bowl. Heat in 30-second intervals, stirring well after each, until smooth. Alternatively, use a heavy-bottomed saucepan over low heat, stirring constantly to prevent scorching.
- Oven Variations: Ovens can vary. Keep an eye on your bars during both baking stages. If your oven runs hot, reduce the temperature slightly or shorten baking times. Look for golden edges on the base and a light golden top.
- Managing Sticky Dough: The remaining cookie dough for the top layer can be a bit sticky. Lightly flouring your fingers or using two small spoons can help you drop the dough evenly over the caramel without a mess. These caramel peanut butter bars are worth the effort!
Serving, Storage, & Variations
These Knock You Naked Bars are incredibly versatile, whether you’re serving them fresh or planning ahead.
Serving Suggestions:
- Serve them as is for a delightful, gooey treat.
- Pair a warm bar with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an extra indulgent dessert.
- Enjoy these rich cookie bars with a cold glass of milk, a classic combination.
Storage:
- Store any leftover Knock You Naked Bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3-4 days.
- For longer storage, wrap individual slices tightly in plastic wrap and then aluminum foil. Freeze them for up to 2-3 months. Thaw at room temperature before enjoying.
Variations:
- Chocolate Types: Experiment with different chocolate chips! Try milk chocolate for a sweeter profile, dark chocolate for a richer contrast, or even white chocolate for a creamy twist in your homemade cookie bars.
- Add Nuts: For extra crunch and flavor, fold chopped pecans, walnuts, or even more peanuts into the cookie dough or sprinkle them over the caramel layer before baking.
- Different Caramels: While classic soft caramels work best, you could try flavored caramels (like sea salt caramel) for a gourmet touch, though ensure they melt smoothly.
Nutrition Information
Enjoying these rich and decadent Knock You Naked Bars is a treat! Here’s a general overview of the nutritional content per serving, based on approximately 24 servings per batch. Please note that these values are estimates and can vary based on specific ingredients and brands used.
| Nutrient | Value |
|---|---|
| Serving Size | 1 |
| Calories | 439 kcal |
| Carbohydrates | 52g |
| Protein | 6g |
| Fat | 22g |
| Saturated Fat | 12g |
| Cholesterol | 45mg |
| Sodium | 311mg |
| Potassium | 243mg |
| Fiber | 2g |
| Sugar | 27g |
| Vitamin A | 350IU |
| Vitamin C | 0.2mg |
| Calcium | 53mg |
| Iron | 3mg |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make these bars without peanut butter?
Yes, you can omit the peanut butter if there are allergy concerns or if you simply prefer. The caramel layer will still be delicious and gooey on its own.
What type of caramels are best for this recipe?
Individually wrapped, soft caramels (like Kraft Caramels) work best. They melt smoothly and create the perfect consistency for the gooey layer in your Knock You Naked Bars.
How do I prevent the caramel from oozing out when slicing?
Ensure the bars are completely cooled before slicing. Chilling them in the refrigerator for 30-60 minutes can also help the caramel firm up, making for cleaner cuts.
Conclusion
These Knock You Naked Bars are truly a showstopper dessert that’s surprisingly easy to create at home. The combination of chewy cookie, rich caramel, and creamy peanut butter makes for an absolutely irresistible treat that disappears fast.
Whether you’re a seasoned baker or just starting out, this recipe promises delicious results and plenty of compliments. Go ahead, whip up a batch of these sensational caramel cookie bars and watch them become a new family favorite. Don’t forget to share your amazing creations with us!
Knock You Naked Bars
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat oven to 375°F and grease a 9×13 inch baking dish.
- In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
- Cream butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar, and vanilla until light and fluffy.
- Add eggs one at a time, beating after each addition.
- Gradually add flour mixture; mix until just combined. Fold in chocolate chips.
- Press half the dough into the greased baking pan.
- Bake for 8–10 minutes until edges are lightly golden. Remove from oven.
- In a double boiler, melt caramels and evaporated milk until smooth.
- Stir in peanut butter until well incorporated.
- Spread caramel mixture over the baked cookie base.
- Drop spoonfuls of remaining dough over caramel layer.
- Bake for 15–20 minutes until top is light golden brown.
- Cool completely before slicing and serving.
Nutrition
Notes
- Evaporated milk is not the same as sweetened condensed milk; it’s unsweetened and thicker.
- Use soft caramels for the best melting texture.
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