Layered bars boasting a buttery crust, a gooey caramel‑nut centre and warm holiday spices—rich, satisfying and ideal for dessert lovers.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
These bars combine textures (crisp crust, chewy caramel centre, crunchy nuts) and flavours (brown sugar caramel, cinnamon, nutmeg) that evoke the holidays. They’re substantial and shareable, making them perfect for festive get‑togethers or as a special treat.
ingredients
(Tip: You can find the complete list of ingredients and their measurements in the recipe card below.)
- all‑purpose flour
- rolled oats (optional)
- butter (softened)
- brown sugar
- granulated sugar
- eggs
- vanilla extract
- ground cinnamon
- ground nutmeg
- chopped nuts (pecans, walnuts or almonds)
- caramel sauce (homemade or store‑bought)
directions
- Pre‑heat oven to 350 °F (175 °C). Line a 9×13 inch pan with parchment paper and spray lightly.
- In a bowl, stir together flour, oats (if using), cinnamon and nutmeg.
- In another bowl, cream butter and brown sugar until fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, then vanilla extract.
- Gradually mix in the flour‑spice mixture until combined. Press 2/3 of this dough into the bottom of the prepared pan to form the crust.
- Bake crust for about 10 minutes or until lightly set.
- Remove from oven and pour over the caramel sauce evenly. Sprinkle chopped nuts over the caramel.
- Crumble the remaining dough (1/3) over the top of the caramel and nuts. Return to the oven and bake for 18‑22 minutes or until top is golden and centre set.
- Cool in the pan for about 30 minutes, then transfer to wire rack to cool completely. Cut into bars.
Servings and timing
Yields approximately 24 bars. Preparation time about 20 minutes, baking time about 30 minutes (including crust pre‑bake and final bake), plus cooling time — total roughly 1 hour.
Variations
- Use salted caramel or add a sprinkle of sea salt on top for contrast.
- Replace chopped nuts with toasted coconut flakes for a tropical twist.
- Add dried cherries or cranberries into the nut layer for a fruity note.
- Make a mini batch by using an 8×8 inch pan and adjusting bake time accordingly.
storage/reheating
Store bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days. For longer storage, refrigerate up to 1 week. If you prefer them warm, microwave a bar for ~10 seconds before serving to soften the caramel.
FAQs
Can I make the caramel sauce from scratch?
Yes — melt butter and brown sugar with heavy cream until thickened, but a good store‑bought caramel works fine.
Are oats necessary?
No — oats are optional and can be omitted if you prefer all crust.
How do I prevent the top from burning before the centre sets?
If the edges are browning too fast, loosely tent the pan with foil for the last 5 minutes of baking.
Can I make this gluten‑free?
Yes — substitute all‑purpose flour with a gluten‑free baking flour blend and ensure caramel/nuts are gluten‑free.
Why does the caramel sink or ooze?
If crust isn’t set first (pre‑baked) or top dough layer is too thin, the caramel may seep. Ensure crust is baked for those 10 minutes.
Will the bars stay chewy?
Yes — the texture depends on not over‑baking. Remove when centre is just set.
Can I use other nuts?
Yes — any toasted chopped nuts will work (hazelnuts, pistachios, macadamias).
How do I cut clean bars?
Chill the bars slightly before cutting. Use a large sharp knife and wipe between cuts.
Is this good for holiday baking?
Very much so — the combination of warm spices, caramel and nuts evokes holiday desserts.
Can I freeze these bars?
Yes — freeze in single layers wrapped in plastic and foil for up to 2‑3 months. Thaw at room temperature for about 30 minutes before serving.
Conclusion
Nutty Caramel Spice Bars are a decadent, flavour‑packed dessert that blends rich caramel, crunchy nuts and warm spices in an easy bar format. They’re perfect for holiday dessert spreads, gifting or treating yourself to something special.
PrintNutty Caramel Spice Bars – A Chewy, Crunchy Dessert Full of Warm Holiday Spices
Nutty Caramel Spice Bars are chewy dessert bars layered with rich caramel, crunchy nuts, and infused with warm holiday spices like cinnamon and nutmeg. These indulgent treats are perfect for festive gatherings or edible gifts.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes + cooling time
- Yield: 24 bars 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
- 1/4 tsp ground cloves
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1 cup chopped mixed nuts (e.g., pecans, walnuts, almonds)
- 1 cup caramel sauce or melted soft caramels
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, cream together the butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until fluffy.
- Add eggs one at a time, then stir in vanilla extract.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, baking soda, and salt.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing just until combined.
- Fold in half of the chopped nuts.
- Spread half of the dough into the prepared pan and smooth it evenly.
- Drizzle the caramel sauce over the dough layer.
- Drop spoonfuls of the remaining dough over the caramel and gently spread to cover as much as possible.
- Sprinkle remaining chopped nuts over the top.
- Bake for 25–30 minutes, or until golden brown and set.
- Cool completely before cutting into bars.
Notes
- You can use store-bought caramel sauce or melt soft caramels with a bit of cream.
- Bars can be stored in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
- Try with different nut combinations or add a pinch of ginger for extra spice.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 80mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 26g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 30mg