Caramel Crumb Bars

Submitted by blucoat

"This is an easy and delicious bar recipe with a light and flaky shortbread crust, a creamy caramel filling, and a crumb topping. The recipe is from the wonderful cookbook, "The Modern Baker," by Nick Malgieri and was chosen Top Cookie Recipe of 2008 by the Washington Post. It's Malgieri's favourite recipe in the book and it might just become yours too! Save the wrappers from the softened butter sticks to grease the parchment. Note that the flour measurement calls for it to be spooned into the cup and leveled off--this will give you a different amount of flour in the cup than the dip and sweep method and noticeably effect the texture of the crust. MAKE AHEAD: Store in an airtight container at room temperature if you are serving them within a day. Or wrap and freeze for up to 2 months, making sure to bring the bars to room temperature before serving."

 

• Ready In: 55mins
• Ingredients: 9
• Yields: 24 two-inch squares

ingredients

• For the dough

• 16 tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature, plus more for greasing the pan (2 sticks)
• 1⁄2 cup sugar
• 1⁄4 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 1⁄2 cups flour (spoon flour into a dry-measure cup and level off)

• For the filling

• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1 tablespoon light corn syrup
• 1⁄4 cup packed dark brown sugar
• 1 (14 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk

directions

1. Position a rack on the lowest level of the oven; preheat to 350 degrees. Line the bottom and sides of a 9-by-13-inch baking pan with parchment paper, then use a little butter to lightly grease the paper.
2. For the dough: Combine the 16 tablespoons of butter, the sugar and salt in the bowl of a stand mixer or hand-held electric mixer. Beat on medium speed for 2 to 3 minutes, until the mixture is soft and light. Add the vanilla extract and mix to incorporate.
3. Reduce the speed to low, then gradually add 2 1/4 cups of the flour and beat until well incorporated to form a smooth dough. Use a spatula to scrape down the bowl and paddle.
4. Remove the bowl from the mixer; transfer three-quarters of the dough into the prepared pan. Use the palm of your hand to press the dough down lightly and evenly. Chill the dough-lined pan while you make the topping: Work the remaining 1/4 cup flour into the remaining dough with your fingertips so that it forms small crumbs. Set aside at room temperature.
5. For the filling: Combine the butter, corn syrup, brown sugar and condensed milk in a medium saucepan over medium heat, stirring occasionally. Allow the mixture to boil gently, stirring often, for about 10 minutes, until the mixture starts to thicken and darken slightly. Pour into a stainless-steel bowl to cool for 5 minutes.
6. To assemble: Pour the cooled filling on top of the chilled dough, then scatter the crumb mixture evenly over the top. Bake for about 30 minutes, until the filling bubbles gently and is a deep caramel color and the dough and crumb topping are baked through.
7. Cool in the pan on a wire rack for 15 to 20 minutes, until lukewarm. Use the parchment paper to lift the slab of baked dough out of the pan and onto a cutting board before it has cooled completely. Cut the slab into roughly 2-inch squares.

Reviews

[patti o.]

Really good. Followed recipe to the letter. Came out wonderful. I just love Caramel!

 

[TigerJo]

This is my new favorite bar-cookie recipe. I'd bookmarked it when included in the Washington Post holiday cookie recipes, but only made them recently. They're easy to make and assemble (non-stick aluminum foil works as good as, if not better, than parchment, IMHO). The last time I made them, my "bargain" store-brand condensed milk broke into a rough mess while simmering, even at med-low heat. I started over and watched it like a hawk, as it was the same cheap brand, and the caramel stayed together. I store the cookies at room temp in a cookie tin, and they keep well - but they don't last long at all. The only things I do differently is add a bit more salt, either in the dough (1/2t total), or follow the recipe, and sprinkle on some coarse salt when it comes out of the oven. It tastes like a salted caramel cookie; I think the caramel flavors benefit greatly from the extra salt. In addition, I cut off the outside crusts, as close to the edge as I can get, with a sharp knife. We still eat the dark and chewy narrow crusts, but the rest of the cookies are so much prettier. *Not that you will want to share, that is.*

 

[daraeve]

Amazing cookies. I've made them three times and they are always great. The only thing I do differently is sub golden syrup for corn syrup. Its hard to find corn syrup where I live. These are a real crowd pleaser and they look great.

 

[lexi L]

THESE.ARE.AWESOME. I loved these, in fact my whole family loved them. They were super rich (just how I like my deserts). I would say to watch the carmel sauce like a hawk becuase it started to burn really quick, so I poured it on top of the crust even though it barely changed color and hoped for the best. It turned out awesome. I had a mishap taking it out of the pan and dropped it on the floor, it shattered but stayed on the foil....so we ate it anyway. I used the really mashed up bits to top my Husbands vanilla ice ceam. like I said AWESOME.