Saturday, September 05, 2009

The Best and Most Evil Dessert

Don't these look delicious?


A long time ago I got the recipe from my mother-in-law. I made them and loved them, and I ate them, and I ate them, and I ate them, and then they would be gone. But I would still remember them and would want one and so I would bake them once more and the vicious cycle started all over.

Finally one day, when I could no longer stand that I had *no* control over myself when caramel bars were in the house and I would eat, and eat, and eat, and eat them until they were gone, I took the container and put them in the freezer.

Whew, now I couldn't go and get one - they were frozen.

But I knew they were there, and after a few days, the craving could not be held back.
"I'll go get one, let it thaw, and then eat it," I thought to myself. Once I rescued the bar from the freezer, I couldn't wait for it to thaw I simply had to try it, so I did, that's when I discovered just how evil this dessert is.


It tastes even better frozen! Aaacckkk! Now there was no holding back, even the freezer couldn't keep these wonderful bars from me.


I'm a few years older now, and a smidgen wiser, but I still love these bars. But now I only make them at certain times, at special occasions, so as to have some control. Our upcoming vacation is one such certain time. Why? Because I've shared these wonders with our friends, and now they request them. Because once you've had them, you will always want to have them. Simply for my friends (yeah right) I make these.

And now because I want you to know the goodness (and I might be a little evil too), I share the recipe with you. (Note: those of you who attended the last Feed My Lambs Retreat - 2006 in WI, will remember I brought them and shared them with the adults)

In a saucepan melt 42 caramels and 7 Tbsp milk (I doubled my recipe so all pictures reflect a double batch).

In a bowl, combine: 1 1/3 cup flour, 1 1/2 cup oatmeal, 1 cup brown sugar, 3/4 tsp soda, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1 cup butter.


Abby helped mix.....

And then I finished. It should look nice and crumbly.



Now pack 2/3 of the mixture into a greased 9x13 pan and bake at 350 degree for 10 minutes.



Remember your caramels? Are you remembering to stir them so they don't stick? It should be looking like this:

After 10 minutes, take out of the oven and sprinkle over 1 cup of chocolate chips,
then pour the caramel mixture on top.




Now sprinkle the reserved crumb mixture all over the top and bake for 15 minutes.





Once cooled, cut them into 24 squares and try one.





Put the rest in a container (wax paper between the layers) and stick them in the freezer, and then try one tomorrow, and the next day, and the next.

Here are mine, all ready for the freezer. 48, oops (David and I each ate one) I mean 46, lovely caramel bars waiting in my freezer for vacation.

I hope they survive till then.
I hope I survive till then.

"I will leave them alone and save them for vacation."
"I will leave them alone and save them for vacation."
"I will leave them alone and save them for vacation."
"I will leave them....."

The author of this blog will not be held responsible for the actions of any who try this recipe. Addiction may follow and ridiculous means to feed said addiction may occur. All should try this recipe at their own risk!

Caramel Bars
1.Melt 42 caramels with 7 Tbsp milk in a saucepan.
2. In bowl, combine: 1 1/3 cup flour, 1 1/2 cup oatmeal, 1 cup brown sugar, 3/4 tsp soda, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1 cup butter.
3. Pack 2/3 of mixture in greased 9x13 pan and bake at 350 for 10 minutes
4. Take out of the oven and sprinkle 1 cup chocolate chips over, then pour caramel mixture on top. Sprinkle on reserved crumb mixture on top and bake for 15 minutes.

10 comments:

Susan said...

You are evil. EVIL, I say, evil!

I have caramel in the fridge. We made a batch last week because I was craving turtle brownies. We only used 1/4 of the caramel. (Of course, some of the caramel has disappeared in the intervening 7 days...) But now look what you've done. I am going to HAVE to try this: I find caramel even more enticing than chocolate.

EVIL you are.

Theoretically I could take these to the party on Monday. But I suspect that it may be hard to make them last that long. EVIL...

Glenda said...

Caramel is more enticing than chocolate to me any day.

Enjoy your caramel bars Susan. :-) (that's me with an evil grin. bwahahahahahaha!)

Erin said...

Susan, please bring these to the party on Monday.

Glenda, these look amazing. I bet they taste even better!

Kristi Heinz said...

So we made the caramel bars today. Coudln't wait for them to cool! Had to try one while it was still warm, oozy, and crumbly!!!! Rich and I both stated that by eating them we are helping to lower our cholestorol and we are fighting against Alzheimer's! I can find all kinds of things to put oatmeal with using this philosophy! Thanks for sharing!


Glenda...are you a good witch or a bad witch....wich?

Pj said...

When we first make these, do we have to refrigerate them overnight, or can we leave them out? Like say I was making these today for a party tomorrow, would i just leave them outside, or put them in the fridge?
THANKS!
they do look really good, can't wait to try it out :D

Glenda said...

You don't have to refrigerate or freeze them at all. After baking them, let them cool before cutting, but then they can be kept at room temperature. However, I found out, I like them even more so after they've been frozen, so I stick them in the freezer after cutting them.

Thanks for reading Pj! Enjoy those caramel bars, and I would take any you would want to deliver to me, only to help you out. ;-)

Pj said...

Haha =D
one more thing, when you say you doubled your recipies, do you mean that in order to make around 40-ish bars, i need to double all the ingredients you listed? like instead of 42 caramels, would i need 84??

Glenda said...

Yes Pj, the recipe listed is for a single batch which makes one 9x13 pan of bars. I always double as that way they last a day longer. :-D

Susie Buetow said...

Thanks for the detailed post. That is what I like doing on my blog, too! I linked up your post to mine! Thanks so much for sharing. I will have to make these and freeze them. Susan

http://cafescrapper-scrapsoflife.blogspot.com/2010/11/christmas-goodie-link-up-and-100-csn.html

Karianne said...

My 4yo and I made these this afternoon. He loved unwrapping all the caramels (sucker). But they weren't really good. My family wouldn't like them at all so I think I may just have to EAT THEM ALL so they won't have to. (That's my story and I'm sticking to it!) Oh, the sacrifices I make for my family. ;)

(No seriously, these are to die for. You may be evil for sharing but I'm so thankful! They will be gone by tomorrow!)

Karianne (a fellow Looper)