lexi's special gooey chocolate caramel bars

Name: Lexi's Special Gooey Chocolate Caramel Bars
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Yield: 36
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 package(s) chocolate cake mix (any brand); 1 cup(s) chunky peanut butter; 8 tablespoon(s) butter, melted; 2 large eggs, beaten; 12 ounce(s) semi-sweet chocolate chips; 1 can(s) sweetened condensed milk; 2 tablespoon(s) butter; 2 teaspoon(s) vanilla extract; 1 cup(s) sweetened flaked coconut; 12 ounce(s) caramel ice cream topping; 1 cup(s) peanut butter chips; 1/2 cup(s) chopped, salted peanuts (optional)

(1 RATING)

117 Pinches 2 Photos

Sylvia Waldsmith

Gautier, MS

Updated on Jul 10, 2016

Recently, I had a dear friend unexpectedly end up in the hospital for a week. Lexi is so full of joy and quick with a smile, even from her hospital bed. I created these bars, with her in mind...thinking that if her brilliant smile couldn't coax some special treatment from her visitors and caregivers, maybe a sweet bribe could. And, on top of everything, they're easy to make!

Rate

prep time 15 Min

cook time 30 Min

method Bake

yield 36 - 48

Ingredients

1 package chocolate cake mix (any brand)
1 cup chunky peanut butter
8 tablespoons butter, melted
2 large eggs, beaten
12 ounces semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 can sweetened condensed milk
2 tablespoons butter
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 cup sweetened flaked coconut
12 ounces caramel ice cream topping
1 cup peanut butter chips
1/2 cup chopped, salted peanuts (optional)

How To Make lexi's special gooey chocolate caramel bars

Step 1

Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Line a 13” x 9” baking pan with foil. Spray foil with non-stick cooking spray.

Step 2

In a large bowl, using an electric mixer, combine cake mix, peanut butter, melted butter and eggs on low speed for one minute. Scrape down sides often while beating. Set aside 1 ½ cups cake mixture.
Step 3

Place remaining cake mixture in bottom of 13” x 9” baking pan and press evenly on bottom of pan, using fingers. Set aside.
Step 4

Combine chocolate chips, sweetened condensed milk, butter and vanilla in microwave safe bowl. Heat on high for 2 minutes, remove and stir until chips are almost completely melted. Return to microwave, if necessary, for 30 second intervals until chips are melted, (they don't need to be completely melted, they will finish melting in the oven). Stir in coconut. Pour chocolate mixture over cake crust and spread evenly.
Step 5

Pour caramel topping evenly over chocolate and sprinkle peanut butter chips and peanuts (if using) evenly over caramel.
Step 6

Sprinkle the remaining cake mixture (breaking it up with fingers) over the top.
Step 7

Bake, in center of oven, for 25 to 30 minutes or until top cake pieces are firm to the touch.
Step 8

Allow to cool in pan and then place in refrigerator to firm completely. Remove from pan by lifting foil and cut into 1 inch squares. Refrigerate any leftovers.
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