Butterfinger Caramel Crunch Bars Recipe

Crispy Butterfinger Caramel Crunch Bars Recipe: Sweet Nostalgia

Sweet tooths go wild for these irresistible butterfinger caramel crunch bars that blend salty and sugary notes into one incredible treat.

Candy lovers understand the magic of combining chocolate, caramel, and crispy peanut butter.

Unexpected layers create a symphony of textures that dance across your palate.

Each bite promises a decadent experience that feels both nostalgic and exciting.

Chocolate enthusiasts will appreciate the careful balance of ingredients in this simple yet sophisticated dessert.

Cracking through the rich chocolate shell to reveal a crunchy, gooey interior that melts perfectly.

Grab a glass of cold milk and get ready to elevate your dessert game with this crowd-pleasing recipe.

Why Butterfinger Caramel Crunch Bars Are A Hit

  • Crack Open Flavor Explosion: This recipe delivers an incredible combination of sweet caramel, crunchy Butterfinger pieces, and rich chocolate that will make taste buds dance with excitement.
  • Superfast No-Bake Magic: Whip up these delicious bars without turning on the oven, saving time and energy while creating a crowd-pleasing dessert that requires minimal kitchen skills.
  • Texture Wonderland: Experience a delightful mix of smooth caramel, crispy graham cracker base, crunchy Butterfinger bits, and silky chocolate that provides an irresistible multi-layered mouthfeel.
  • Perfect Party Pleaser: These bars are ideal for potlucks, gatherings, and casual celebrations, offering a portable treat that's easy to slice, share, and devour with friends and family.

What You Need For Butterfinger Caramel Crunch Bars

Base Layer Ingredients:
  • Graham Cracker Crumbs: Provides a crunchy and sweet foundation for the bars, classic choice for dessert bases.
  • Butter: Helps bind the crumbs together and adds rich flavor to the base.
  • Sugar: Enhances sweetness and helps create a compact base layer.
Caramel Layer Ingredients:
  • Sweetened Condensed Milk: Creates a rich, smooth caramel with deep, creamy sweetness.
  • Butter: Adds richness and helps achieve smooth caramel consistency.
  • Corn Syrup: Prevents sugar crystallization and ensures silky caramel texture.
  • Brown Sugar: Contributes deep molasses flavor and rich caramel color.
  • Butterfinger Candy: Adds crunch and signature peanut butter-chocolate flavor.
Chocolate Topping Ingredients:
  • Chocolate Chips: Provides smooth, rich chocolate coating for the bars.
  • Vegetable Oil: Helps create a glossy, easily spreadable chocolate layer.
  • Butterfinger Candy: Adds extra crunch and decorative topping with signature flavor.

How To Make Butterfinger Caramel Crunch Bars

Step 1: Create Crunchy Graham Base

Grab your mixing bowl and blend graham cracker crumbs with melted butter and sugar until everything looks perfectly combined. Press this delicious mixture firmly into a lined 8×8-inch baking dish, creating a solid foundation. Pop the dish into the refrigerator while you prepare the next magical layer.

Step 2: Craft Decadent Caramel Layer

In a saucepan, combine:
  • Sweetened condensed milk
  • Butter
  • Corn syrup
  • Brown sugar

Heat the mixture over medium flame, stirring constantly until it transforms into a golden caramel wonder. Watch closely as the color deepens and the texture thickens. Pour this luscious caramel over the chilled graham base, spreading it evenly. Sprinkle a generous handful of crushed Butterfinger pieces across the surface. Return the dish to the refrigerator to set for half an hour.

Step 3: Drizzle Chocolate Topping

Melt chocolate chips with a touch of oil in a microwave-safe bowl. Zap in short bursts, stirring between each interval until smooth and glossy. Cascade the melted chocolate over the caramel layer, using a spatula to create an even blanket. Shower the remaining Butterfinger chunks across the chocolate landscape.

Step 4: Chill and Slice

Let the bars rest in the refrigerator for at least two hours, allowing all layers to set perfectly. When ready, lift the entire creation out using the parchment paper. Slice into squares or rectangles with a sharp knife, revealing the beautiful layers within.

Great Tips For Butterfinger Caramel Crunch Bars

  • Crush Carefully: Use a rolling pin or food processor to break Butterfinger candy into consistent, small pieces for even distribution and better texture.
  • Prevent Sticking: Line the baking dish with parchment paper, allowing overhang for easy removal and clean cutting of bars.
  • Temperature Control: Cook caramel slowly and stir constantly to avoid burning, watching for golden color and thick consistency.
  • Chocolate Melting Hack: Use low microwave power and short intervals to melt chocolate smoothly, preventing scorching or seizing.
  • Make-Ahead Magic: These bars can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days, making them perfect for advance party preparation.

Store And Warm Butterfinger Caramel Crunch Bars

  • Refrigerator Storage: Place leftover bars in an airtight container, separating layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking. Keep chilled for up to 5 days for maximum freshness and flavor.
  • Freezer Method: Wrap individual bars tightly in plastic wrap, then store in a freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 3 months, ensuring a delicious treat is always ready when cravings hit.
  • Thawing Technique: Transfer frozen bars to the refrigerator overnight, allowing them to slowly defrost and maintain their original texture and taste.
  • Serving Tip: Let chilled or frozen bars sit at room temperature for 5-10 minutes before enjoying to soften the caramel and chocolate layers for the perfect bite.

Snacks That Go With Butterfinger Caramel Crunch Bars

  • Sip Sweet Caramel Complements: Pair these decadent bars with a rich, smooth caramel macchiato that echoes the buttery caramel layer, creating a harmonious flavor experience that highlights the dessert's sweet undertones.
  • Match Creamy Chocolate Beverages: Enjoy alongside a cold glass of chocolate milk or a velvety hot chocolate to enhance the chocolate topping's richness and complement the Butterfinger's crispy texture.
  • Contrast with Bright Citrus Drinks: Balance the dessert's sweetness with a zesty orange sparkling water or a light lemon iced tea, which cuts through the richness and provides a refreshing palate cleanse.
  • Craft Beer Pairing Magic: Select a smooth porter or stout with chocolate and caramel notes that mirror the bar's flavor profile, creating a sophisticated adult dessert moment.

New Ways To Make Butterfinger Caramel Crunch Bars

  • Nutty Indulgence: Replace Butterfinger with chopped roasted almonds and drizzle melted peanut butter over the chocolate layer for a rich, nutty flavor profile.
  • Dark Chocolate Dream: Swap milk chocolate chips with dark chocolate and add a sprinkle of sea salt on top to enhance the deep chocolate notes.
  • Tropical Crunch: Substitute Butterfinger with toasted coconut flakes and mix white chocolate chips into the top layer for a sweet, tropical-inspired treat.
  • Cookies and Cream Blast: Crush chocolate sandwich cookies instead of graham crackers for the base, and mix crushed cookies into the chocolate topping for extra crunch and flavor.

Questions On Butterfinger Caramel Crunch Bars

  • What makes Butterfinger Caramel Crunch Bars special?

These bars combine the classic crunch of Butterfinger candy with a rich caramel base and chocolate topping, creating an irresistible sweet treat that’s both nostalgic and indulgent.

  • Can I use a different type of candy instead of Butterfinger?

While Butterfinger gives these bars a unique flavor, you could substitute with other chocolate or peanut butter candies if needed. Just ensure the candy complements the caramel and chocolate layers.

  • How do I get clean, neat cuts when slicing the bars?

For the cleanest cuts, use a sharp knife and wipe the blade clean between each slice. Ensuring the bars are completely chilled helps create precise, crisp edges.

  • Are these bars too sweet?

The combination of caramel, chocolate, and Butterfinger creates a balanced sweetness. The graham cracker base and chocolate topping help moderate the overall sugar level, making them enjoyable without being overwhelming.

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Butterfinger Caramel Crunch Bars Recipe

Butterfinger Caramel Crunch Bars Recipe


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4.6 from 27 reviews

  • Total Time: 2 hours 25 minutes
  • Yield: 12 1x

Description

Irresistible Butterfinger caramel crunch bars deliver a symphony of sweet, salty, and crunchy textures that dance across your palate. Chocolate lovers will savor each rich, layered bite of this indulgent dessert that promises pure deliciousness.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients:

  • 1 ½ cups crushed Butterfinger candy bars
  • 1 cup milk chocolate chips
  • 1 cup graham cracker crumbs

Base and Binding Ingredients:

  • ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
  • ½ cup unsalted butter
  • ¼ cup granulated sugar
  • ¼ cup light corn syrup
  • ½ cup packed brown sugar

Finishing Ingredient:

  • 1 (14 ounces / 396 grams) can sweetened condensed milk
  • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil or coconut oil (optional, for a smoother chocolate layer)

Instructions

  1. Craft a sturdy foundation by blending graham cracker crumbs with melted butter and sugar until the mixture achieves a consistent texture.
  2. Press the crumb mixture compactly into a lined baking dish, creating an even base that will support subsequent layers.
  3. Temporarily chill the base while preparing the caramel component.
  4. Combine sweetened condensed milk, butter, corn syrup, and brown sugar in a saucepan, initiating a transformative cooking process over medium heat.
  5. Continuously stir the mixture, allowing it to evolve into a rich, golden caramel with a glossy, thick consistency, which typically requires 8-10 minutes of careful attention.
  6. Cascade the scorching caramel over the chilled graham cracker foundation, ensuring complete and uniform coverage.
  7. Generously distribute a portion of crushed Butterfinger pieces across the caramel surface, creating a delightful textural landscape.
  8. Allow the caramel layer to set by returning the dish to the refrigerator for approximately 30 minutes.
  9. Melt chocolate chips with oil using gentle microwave intervals, stirring until achieving a smooth, glossy finish.
  10. Elegantly pour the molten chocolate over the chilled caramel, spreading it meticulously to create a flawless top layer.
  11. Embellish the chocolate surface with the remaining Butterfinger fragments, adding a satisfying crunch and visual appeal.
  12. Refrigerate the assembled dessert for a minimum of 2 hours, allowing complete solidification.
  13. Carefully extract the set dessert using parchment paper edges and slice into precise, tantalizing portions using a sharp knife.

Notes

  • Prep Ahead: Make the graham cracker base and caramel layer a day before to reduce day-of prep stress and enhance flavor melding.
  • Smooth Cutting Technique: Warm your knife under hot water and dry before slicing to create clean, crisp bar edges without crumbling.
  • Temperature Control: Allow bars to sit at room temperature for 5-10 minutes before serving to soften the chocolate and caramel for easier cutting and more enjoyable texture.
  • Dietary Modifications: Swap graham crackers for gluten-free alternatives and use dairy-free chocolate chips and condensed milk for a vegan-friendly version that maintains the same delicious crunch and flavor profile.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 10 minutes
  • Category: Desserts, Snacks
  • Method: Mixing
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 12
  • Calories: 295
  • Sugar: 26 g
  • Sodium: 140 mg
  • Fat: 16 g
  • Saturated Fat: 9 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 36 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 2 g
  • Cholesterol: 30 mg
Jenna Stewart

Jenna Stewart

Head Chef & Recipe Innovator

Expertise

Farm-to-Table Cooking; Seasonal Menu Development; Visual Plating Techniques; Flavor Layering and Simple Prep Hacks.

Education

The Culinary Institute of America, Hyde Park, NY

  • Program: Associate Degree in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: Hands-on training in classic and modern techniques, global cuisines, and flavor development, combined with real-world experience in restaurant operations, business management, and industry internships.

Jenna Stewart is the inventive spirit behind many of our standout dishes at Pro of Delicious Creations. A proud graduate of The Culinary Institute of America, she built her skills mastering both classic recipes and fresh, modern twists.

Now, Jenna celebrates the beauty of seasonal, local ingredients, often sourced from her garden and nearby markets, to create recipes that are bursting with flavor yet easy to follow. When she’s not experimenting in the kitchen, Jenna loves exploring nature on hikes and discovering new treasures at local co-ops.

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