Knock You Naked Bars Recipe

Introduction

Knock You Naked Bars are a decadent layered treat perfect for satisfying your sweet tooth. Featuring a soft cookie base, gooey caramel and peanut butter center, and a chocolate-studded topping, these bars are sure to impress at any gathering or just as a special homemade indulgence.

Ingredients

• 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup butter, softened
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 3/4 cup packed brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 eggs
• 2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 5 oz evaporated milk
• 14 oz bag caramels
• 1/2 cup peanut butter

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a 9 x 13 inch baking pan.
2. Step 2: In a small bowl, combine the flour, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
3. Step 3: In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter, sugar, brown sugar, and vanilla extract until creamy and smooth.
4. Step 4: Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition to fully incorporate.
5. Step 5: Gradually mix the flour mixture into the wet ingredients until just combined, then stir in the chocolate chips.
6. Step 6: Spread half of your cookie dough evenly into the prepared pan and bake for 8 to 10 minutes, until lightly set but not fully baked. Remove from the oven.
7. Step 7: While the cookie base bakes, melt the caramels and evaporated milk together using a double boiler. Once melted, stir in the peanut butter until smooth and well combined.
8. Step 8: Spread the warm caramel and peanut butter mixture over the partially baked cookie base in an even layer.
9. Step 9: Drop spoonfuls of the remaining cookie dough evenly over the caramel layer, creating a rustic topping.
10. Step 10: Return the pan to the oven and bake for 15 to 20 minutes, or until the top cookie dough is light golden brown and set.
11. Step 11: Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan before cutting into squares and serving.

Tips & Variations

• For extra texture, sprinkle chopped nuts over the caramel layer before adding the top cookie dough.
• Use white chocolate chips or butterscotch chips instead of semi-sweet chocolate chips for a different flavor.
• If you don’t have a double boiler, melt caramels and evaporated milk gently in a microwave-safe bowl in short bursts, stirring frequently.
• To make it nut-free, substitute the peanut butter with sunflower seed butter or omit it entirely.

Storage

Store bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, refrigerate for up to one week or freeze for up to two months. Reheat briefly in the microwave to soften before serving.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted?

Yes, but reduce the added salt to 1/4 teaspoon or omit it entirely to avoid the bars becoming too salty.

Why do I need to bake the cookie dough base before adding caramel?

Baking the base first helps it set slightly so the caramel doesn’t soak into the dough, ensuring distinct layers and a balanced texture.

Knock You Naked Bars Recipe

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★★★★★

4.5 from 96 reviews

Knock You Naked Bars are indulgent dessert bars featuring a rich chocolate chip cookie base layered with smooth caramel and peanut butter, topped with dollops of cookie dough and baked to golden perfection. This treat combines the classic flavors of chocolate, caramel, and peanut butter in one delightful bar, perfect for satisfying sweet tooth cravings.

• Author: Emma
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 25-30 minutes
• Total Time: 40-45 minutes
• Yield: 24 bars 1x
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Bars

• 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup butter, softened
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 3/4 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
• 1/2 cup peanut butter

Instructions

1. Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit and grease a 9 x 13 inch baking pan to prevent sticking.
2. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a small bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt. Set this mixture aside for later use.
3. Cream Butter and Sugars: In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter, sugar, brown sugar, and vanilla extract together until the mixture is light and creamy.
4. Add Eggs: Add eggs one at a time to the butter and sugar mixture, beating well after each addition to fully incorporate them.
5. Combine Flour Mixture: Gradually add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Then, stir in the semi-sweet chocolate chips evenly through the dough.
6. Form Base Layer: Spread half of the cookie dough evenly into the prepared baking pan, creating the base layer for the bars.
7. Bake Base: Bake the cookie dough base for 8 to 10 minutes until lightly set. Then remove from the oven but keep the oven on.
8. Prepare Caramel Sauce: While the base layer bakes, melt the caramels along with the evaporated milk using a double boiler. Once melted, stir in the peanut butter until the caramel sauce is smooth and thoroughly combined.
9. Spread Caramel: Pour and spread the warm caramel sauce evenly over the baked cookie dough base.
10. Top with Remaining Dough: Using a spoon, drop spoonfuls of the remaining cookie dough over the caramel layer to create a generous topping.
11. Bake Final Bars: Return the pan to the oven and bake for an additional 15 to 20 minutes, or until the cookie dough topping turns a light golden brown.
12. Cool and Serve: Allow the bars to cool completely before cutting into squares and serving to enjoy the perfect layered dessert.

Notes

• Make sure the caramel sauce is warm and spreadable before layering over the base to ensure smooth coverage.
• You can substitute peanut butter with almond butter for a different nutty flavor.
• If a double boiler is not available, melt the caramel mixture gently over low heat in a heavy saucepan, stirring constantly to prevent burning.
• These bars can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerated for up to a week.
• For easier slicing, chill the bars in the refrigerator before cutting.

Keywords: Knock You Naked Bars, caramel bars, chocolate chip bars, peanut butter bars, dessert bars, layered bars, easy dessert