Here’s a simple, no-bake recipe for Caramel Chocolate Crunch Bars—crispy, gooey, and chocolatey in under an hour.
Ingredients
Crunch layer
- 3 cups rice cereal (like Rice Krispies)
- 1 cup chopped nuts (optional for extra crunch)
- 1/2 cup butter
Caramel layer
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup butter
- 1/4 cup corn syrup
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Chocolate layer
- 1 1/2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1 tbsp butter or cream (optional, for smoother chocolate)
Instructions
1. Prepare the crunch base
- In a large bowl, combine rice cereal and nuts.
- In a saucepan, melt 1/2 cup butter over medium heat.
- Pour melted butter over cereal mixture and stir until evenly coated.
- Press into a greased 9×13-inch pan to form a firm base.
2. Make the caramel
- In a small saucepan, combine brown sugar, 1/2 cup butter, and corn syrup.
- Cook over medium heat, stirring, until sugar dissolves and mixture comes to a boil.
- Boil for 2–3 minutes, then remove from heat.
- Stir in vanilla extract.
- Pour caramel evenly over the cereal base. Let it cool for 10–15 minutes.
3. Add chocolate topping
- Melt chocolate chips (with butter or cream if desired) in the microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring between each.
- Pour over the caramel layer and spread evenly.
4. Chill and cut
- Refrigerate for 20–30 minutes until chocolate is firm.
- Cut into bars with a sharp knife.
Tips & Variations
- Sprinkle sea salt on top before chocolate hardens for a sweet-salty twist.
- Use dark chocolate or white chocolate instead of semi-sweet for variety.
- Add mini marshmallows to the crunch layer for extra chewiness.
If you want, I can make a super-quick 5-step “easy school-friendly version” that’s perfect for holiday treats or snacks. Do you want me to do that?
