I know I was in the minority last week, when I said that the Devil's Food White Out Cake didn't knock my socks off. But, I call 'em like I see 'em. This week, however, I hope that I won't be in the minority when I tell you that I really loved, loved, loved Dorie's Caramel Crunch Bars! They were easy to put together. They didn't take a long time to make. They turned out exactly like they were supposed to. And, they were absofreakinlutely delicious! What more could anyone ask for?
This week's TWD recipe was chosen for us by Whitney of What's Left on the Table? They're delectable and decadent cookie bars with a kind of caramelized, brown sugar shortbread base laced with a shot of espresso and studded with bits of chocolate. The bars are then topped with a layer of more chocolate and finished off with a generous sprinkling of toffee bits. I opted to use some velvety, Guittard milk chocolate for my bars, hoping for a glorified version of a Heath Bar. Guess what? That's pretty much what I got - only better!
These Caramel Crunch Bars are hands down one of my favorite things I've baked for TWD so far. Even though there isn't any actual caramel in the recipe, the cookie base bakes up gooey, crunchy and chewy all at the same time, with a rich "caramely" flavor. The perfect fake out!
Dorie showcases these bars by turning them into ice cream sandwiches, which I think is a great use for them. I decided to try it, filling half of mine with some creamy, dreamy coffee ice cream. They were a little tough to bite into, but definitely worth the effort.
If you'd like to try these Caramel Crunch Bars out for yourself (and I hope you do), the recipe can be found on Whitney's site and, of course, in Dorie's book, Baking: From My Home To Yours.
You can also find many more delicious versions of these bars on the Tuesdays With Dorie blogroll. Just don't go there hungry!
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74 comments:
I almost got that ice cream, but I didn't.
Now I'm kicking myself.
Absolutely gorgeous photos. These sound fantastic - I really miss my TWD baking!
I love, love, love your photos! I will have to try these bars again. I really think I did something wrong, as my base was VERY crispy and a bit oily. In this case, it's definitely me, and not the recipe!
Incredibly tempting and scrumptious! I'm drooling... Stunning!
Cheers,
Rosa
Sounds yummy...
''I opted to use some velvety, Guittard milk chocolate''...
I -love- that stuff!
Almost had a fit when my closest store quit carrying it. :(
"A glorified heath bar." Yep, that pretty much explains it.
Great pics!
These look delicious. I want one NOW. The ice cream really sends them over the top. I can see these with some homemade caramel ice cream sandwiched between them. MMMMMM
Dear GOD those photos. I think perhaps you have sold your soul to the chocolate devil.
Some devil, anyway.:)
I LOVE that you put ice cream between the bars!!!!!!!!
Dare I say it --- i think your photos look ever better than those in the book ---WOW!!!!
I think ice cream is an absolute must to go with this cooke....fantastic job!!!
That looks stunning. I need to make this for dessert ASAP. Heck, I'd like to have this for dinner, lol!
Lovely pictures! Looks amazing with the ice-cream!
YOur bars look perfect! So do the ice cream sandwiches. They were to-die-for, but even better with ice cream (I paired them with coffee ice cream too). YUM!
how pretty! they look jsut perfect!
These look amazing! Nice job.
Beautiful Susan. They look incredible!!! I can't wait to try these myself!!!
I thought they looked really good, then I saw you made them into ice cream sandwiches and now I think they look INCREDIBLE!
Must make them soon.
Beautiful pics. These were good, hunh!! Yours look just perfect.
Yummy!
They looked so good to begin with...and then you put the ice cream in there! So. good.
Thanks so much for all of your sweet comments! I'm so glad that you all liked these too. Dorie sure hit a home run with this one, didn't she? I am already planning to make them again.
The ice cream sandwiches were definitely over the top, and oh, so good! Very messy, though! ;)
Yep, your photos are definitely better than the ones in the book! I didn't even like the bars and I want to eat yours :)
Glad you loved these! Beautiful photos.
Those looks amazing! The photos are gorgeous! I must make these!
I found myself reaching toward the computer screen in hopes that I just might be able to snatch one of your delicious looking bars. Things almost spun out of control when I reached the pictures of the ice cream sandwiches. YUM! Great job.
I really, really want one of those... don't need one, but definitely want one. They look incredible!
holy yummy goodness..these are a dream come true!
Simply put, this is the nicest, cutest, prettiest dispaly I've seen all day!
Beautiful... it should say: How to make plain food look magical, on the cover of your book! LOL
Great pictures! I think they are my favorite plating of the bars I've seen so far. And I love coffee ice cream, so this is a winner in my book. Excellent job!
These look heavenly!
OMG! Susan those look sinfully delicious... I will be running right over to get that recipe... YUMO!
HUGS
Donna
Your food styling and photography are simply incredible. I am so glad that you loved these -- we thought they were fabulous too!
What stunning photos! Thanks for sharing!!!
2 recipes in 1 week, I am impressed! These are yummee bars!!!!
You even made these into Ice Cream Sandwhiches??? YOU ARE AN EVIL WOMAN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I must make these asap...no time to waste.
These are looking pretty amazing!
Fabulous looking bars and a great looking display of them...
Delicious recipe I'm sure. These pictures are so beautiful--great angles.
I'm glad you liked these. They really were perfectly easy and delicious.
Utterly delicious, and the ice cream sandwich..
Oh dear, what not to love?
Cheers,
Elra
Loving those with ice cream!
These look positively incredible - especially with the coffee ice cream. Guess this means I'm going to have to schedule another dinner party so I'll have an excuse to make 'em! :-)
These might kill me, but it would be a lovely way to go. I love the pics!
I don't know if I have ever told you this but I love your photography. Your pictures are just gorgeous and some of my favourite of the blogs I read. I really wish I could reach out and taste one of those bars!
I love them too !! great photography skill !!
totally agree with you--these bars were one of my faves too. wish i tried them with the ice cream, though...yours look fantastic!
Your pictures are lovely!
These look fantastic especially with the ice cream! Love your pictures.
These look amazing! I love how you tried them with the ice cream--it's worth that extra step. Yum!
Fantastic photos, Susan!!! Seriously.
Everyone I stopped in to visit said they enjoyed these, too. My guys love toffee so I guess I should give them a try.
~ingrid
I could cry....
They look so nice, I have given sweets up for lent so might just have to look and not touch if you get me!
Though if anything was to tempt me...
Love your photos! Glad you are so happy with these!
So very, very, very, tempting. I could live on these alone.
your photos are amazing!! :) i esp love the first one with the bow, it just looks so pretty and inviting :) coffee ice cream sounds delicious too!
Oh my! I'm totally drooly over these bars! You almost make me wish I hadn't given up dessert for Lent! I'm bookmarking them for Easter Monday!
Those crunch bars have really been calling out to me - it was nice to see your presentation and comments.
I think I'll have to put them together when my energy is fully returned.
I want to pluck one of these right out of that pretty jar!! Fantastic photos!
Those look amazing and incredibly tasty! Love your photos!
Simone
I see that you're still in the realm of sin...you're killing me here...YUM!
That last photo is just AWESOME!!! I'm so glad you loved these! They were great!
oh my.. they look so delicious! sinful!
Well for someone who says they have lost their blogging mojo, I'd say you're doing very well! Great photos!
Oh I'm wishing I had some of these left, they were just so darn'd good! Love your pics. :)
Your pictures are gorgeous!
Those icecream sandwiches look amazing! I regret not baking my bars now.
Oh my! You're simply killing me with those pictures!
Beautiful pictures!
Ice cream is the only way to improve caramel and chocolate cookies.
Looks soooo lovely! I love the ice cream sandwich - how yummy!
Nice looking caramel crunch bars! I really like the sandwiches!
you won me over with the ice cream. oh man.
I love your photo with the raffia wrapped jar. Such a nice photo. Glad you liked the bars. I'm looking forward to getting them made soon.
AmyRuth
These look incredible! I've been meaning to make them for the longest time but after seeing your photos, they're going right straight to the top of my list :)
These look incredible! I've been meaning to make them for the longest time but after seeing your photos, they're going right straight to the top of my list :)
I sat out this one as there is too much chocolate and butter sitting on these thighs right now!
I LOVE how you turned them into ice cream sandwiches, they sound wonderful!! Great job!!
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