Sinful Butterfinger Caramel Crunch Bars Recipe

Guilty Pleasure Butterfinger Caramel Crunch Bars Recipe

Chocolate and candy bars create magic when combined in this decadent Butterfinger caramel crunch bars recipe that will send taste buds into pure bliss.

Sweet layers of rich chocolate meld perfectly with crunchy Butterfinger pieces scattered throughout the dessert.

Crisp and creamy textures dance together in each delightful bite.

The golden caramel adds a luxurious depth that makes these bars irresistible.

Crumbled candy pieces provide an unexpected crunch that elevates the entire dessert experience.

Each bar promises a symphony of indulgent flavors that will delight even the most discerning sweet tooth.

You won’t be able to resist making these addictive treats that are sure to become a new favorite dessert.

FAQs

  • What are the key ingredients needed for Butterfinger Caramel Crunch Bars?

The key ingredients include graham cracker crumbs, butter, sweetened condensed milk, corn syrup, brown sugar, chocolate chips, Butterfinger candy bars, and vegetable oil.

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

While Butterfinger gives a unique crunch and flavor, you can substitute with other chocolate or peanut butter candies like Reese’s Pieces or Crunch bars for a similar texture.

  • Do I need any special equipment to make these bars?

You’ll need an 8×8-inch baking dish, a medium saucepan, a microwave-safe bowl, and basic kitchen tools like a spatula and mixing bowl. A parchment paper lining is helpful for easy removal.

  • How do I know when the caramel is ready?

The caramel is ready when it thickens and turns a golden caramel color, which typically takes about 8-10 minutes. Constant stirring is crucial to prevent burning and ensure smooth consistency.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 25 minutes

Calories: 250 kcal

Servings: 13

What You’ll Need to Build Butterfinger Caramel Crunch Bars

For Base Layer:
  • Graham Cracker Crumbs: Provides a crunchy, sweet foundation that adds delightful texture and classic cookie flavor to the dessert.
  • Butter: Helps bind the crumbs together and creates a rich, smooth base with golden undertones.
  • Sugar: Enhances sweetness and helps the base layer hold its shape perfectly.
For Caramel Layer:
  • Sweetened Condensed Milk: Creates a luscious, silky caramel with deep, creamy richness.
  • Butter: Adds luxurious smoothness and helps develop complex caramel flavor.
  • Corn Syrup: Prevents sugar crystallization and ensures a glossy, soft caramel texture.
  • Brown Sugar: Introduces deep molasses notes and deepens the caramel's golden color.
  • Butterfinger Candy: Brings irresistible crunch and signature peanut butter-chocolate flavor throughout the layer.
For Chocolate Topping:
  • Chocolate Chips: Delivers smooth, glossy chocolate coverage with rich decadence.
  • Vegetable Oil: Helps create a shiny, snappy chocolate layer that breaks cleanly when sliced.
  • Butterfinger Candy: Provides a final crunchy, sweet-salty sprinkle that makes the bars visually stunning and texturally exciting.

Tools That Make Butterfinger Caramel Crunch Bars to Master

  • 8×8-inch baking dish: Perfect for creating a neat, uniform base layer for your bars.
  • Medium bowl: Essential for mixing graham cracker crust ingredients smoothly.
  • Medium saucepan: Used to cook caramel mixture to golden perfection.
  • Microwave-safe bowl: Ideal for melting chocolate chips evenly.
  • Spatula: Great for spreading caramel and chocolate layers seamlessly.
  • Sharp knife: Needed to slice bars into clean, precise pieces.
  • Measuring cups and spoons: Critical for accurate ingredient proportions.
  • Parchment paper: Helps easily remove bars from the baking dish.

How to Assemble Layers in Butterfinger Caramel Crunch Bars

  • Create Crispy Foundation

Blend graham crumbs with melted butter until perfectly mixed. Press mixture firmly into a lined baking pan, creating a solid base. Chill while preparing next layer.

  • Craft Gooey Caramel

Combine condensed milk, butter, syrup, and brown sugar in a saucepan. Heat and stir continuously until mixture transforms into a rich, golden caramel. Pour over chilled foundation and sprinkle crushed Butterfinger pieces generously. Allow to set in refrigerator.

  • Drizzle Chocolate Blanket

Melt chocolate chips with oil in microwave, stirring until silky smooth. Pour molten chocolate over caramel layer, spreading evenly. Scatter remaining Butterfinger bits across the top for extra crunch.

  • Chill and Slice

Refrigerate the entire creation for several hours until completely firm. Remove from pan using parchment edges. Slice into delectable squares using a sharp knife, revealing layers of decadent goodness.

Fun Variations to Change Up Your Butterfinger Crunch Bars

  • Freeze Butterfinger bars for 10-15 minutes before crushing to get cleaner, more even crumbs without creating powdery mess.
  • These bars can be prepared up to 5 days in advance and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator, making them perfect for party prep.
  • Replace graham cracker crumbs with gluten-free cookie crumbs or ground almond flour to create a celiac-friendly version of this delectable treat.
  • Sprinkle chopped toasted pecans or almonds between caramel and chocolate layers for added crunch and deeper flavor profile that complements the Butterfinger's sweetness.
  • Substitute corn syrup with honey or maple syrup for a more natural caramel layer that maintains similar texture and binding properties.

Serve These Bars With a Cold Glass of Milk

  • Sweet Dessert Pairing: Serve these decadent bars alongside a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream to balance the rich caramel and chocolate flavors, creating a perfect harmony of temperatures and textures.
  • Game Night Treat: Slice into small bite-sized pieces for a crowd-pleasing snack during movie marathons, board game sessions, or casual gatherings with friends and family.
  • Coffee Companion: Enjoy these bars with a hot espresso or cappuccino, where the sweet caramel and chocolate complement the robust coffee notes, making for a delightful afternoon indulgence.
  • Gifting Delight: Package these bars in cute clear cellophane bags tied with ribbons as homemade edible gifts for birthdays, holiday celebrations, or as a thoughtful gesture to brighten someone's day.

Keep Your Butterfinger Caramel Crunch Bars From Getting Sticky

  • Refrigerate the bars for 2-3 hours to ensure perfect cutting and clean edges. Slice with a sharp knife warmed under hot water for smooth, precise pieces.
  • Keep bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Layer between parchment paper to prevent sticking and maintain texture.
  • Wrap individual bars tightly in plastic wrap, then place in freezer-safe containers. Freeze for up to 3 months for a make-ahead sweet treat that's ready anytime.
  • Allow frozen bars to thaw in the refrigerator for 2-3 hours before serving. Room temperature serving can soften the chocolate and caramel, creating a gooey delightful experience.
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Sinful Butterfinger Caramel Crunch Bars Recipe

Sinful Butterfinger Caramel Crunch Bars Recipe


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4.5 from 27 reviews

  • Total Time: 25 minutes
  • Yield: 13 1x

Description

Sweet Butterfinger Caramel Crunch Bars offer chocolate-lovers a perfect blend of crunchy peanut butter candy and rich caramel. Layers of creamy caramel and crushed Butterfinger pieces create an irresistible dessert that satisfies intense chocolate cravings.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 ½ cups (354 ml) crushed butterfinger candy bars (about 6 fun-sized bars)
  • 1 cup (170 g) milk chocolate chips
  • 1 cup (90 g) graham cracker crumbs
  • ½ cup (113 g) unsalted butter, melted
  • ½ cup (113 g) unsalted butter
  • ¼ cup (50 g) granulated sugar
  • ½ cup (110 g) packed brown sugar
  • ¼ cup (60 ml) light corn syrup
  • 1 can (14 oz / 396 g) sweetened condensed milk
  • 1 tbsp vegetable oil or coconut oil (optional, for a smoother chocolate layer)

Instructions

  1. Crust Creation: Pulverize graham crackers with melted butter and sugar, pressing the mixture firmly into an 8×8-inch pan to form a compact base. Briefly chill the foundation.
  2. Caramel Infusion: Combine sweetened condensed milk, butter, corn syrup, and brown sugar in a saucepan. Simmer over medium heat, stirring continuously until the mixture transforms into a rich, golden caramel with a velvety consistency. Pour evenly over the chilled crust.
  3. Butterfinger Scatter: Sprinkle half of the crushed Butterfinger pieces across the caramel layer. Refrigerate for 30 minutes to set the caramel completely.
  4. Chocolate Drizzle: Microwave chocolate chips with oil in 30-second intervals, stirring until achieving a silky, smooth texture. Cascade the molten chocolate over the caramel, ensuring full coverage.
  5. Final Embellishment: Dust the remaining Butterfinger fragments over the chocolate layer. Refrigerate for a minimum of two hours to allow complete solidification.
  6. Serving Preparation: Remove the dessert from the pan using parchment paper as a lifting aid. Slice into precise squares or rectangular segments using a sharp knife, revealing the layers of caramel, chocolate, and crunchy Butterfinger pieces.

Notes

  • Prevent Sticky Caramel: Line baking pan with parchment paper, allowing overhang for easy removal and preventing caramel from sticking.
  • Control Chocolate Melting: Use low microwave power and stir frequently to avoid burning chocolate, ensuring smooth and glossy texture.
  • Achieve Perfect Crunch: Crush Butterfinger bars coarsely for varied texture, ensuring some larger fragments for robust crunch experience.
  • Temperature Matters: Allow bars to reach room temperature for 10-15 minutes before serving, which softens caramel and enhances flavor complexity.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 10 minutes
  • Category: Desserts, Snacks
  • Method: None
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 13
  • Calories: 250
  • Sugar: 22 g
  • Sodium: 100 mg
  • Fat: 12 g
  • Saturated Fat: 7 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 34 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 2 g
  • Cholesterol: 30 mg
John Nicholson

John Nicholson

Lead Writer & Recipe Developer

Expertise

Recipe Testing and Development, Kitchen Hacks and Time-Saving Tips, Flavor Pairing and Ingredient Selection, Engaging Food Writing and Storytelling

Education

Johnson & Wales University

  • Program: Bachelor of Science in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: A hands-on curriculum emphasizing farm-to-table cooking, local ingredient sourcing, and creative menu development. Students gained real-world restaurant experience, learning both classic techniques and modern approaches to sustainable cooking.

John Nicholson honed his skills at Johnson & Wales University, learning how to use fresh, local ingredients and down-to-earth techniques to make cooking simple and satisfying.

His recipes blend Southern comfort flavors with a modern touch, inviting everyone to cook with ease and confidence.

Living in Charleston, John takes cues from the city’s lively food scene, local markets, and seasonal produce. He’s all about making meals stress-free through easy tips, flavor pairings, and fun experiments in the kitchen

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