🍫🍯 Ooey Gooey Bars

👩‍🍳 Instructions — Step by Step

1. Prepare the Pan

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
Line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper and lightly grease.

2. Make the Crust

In a large bowl, cream together butter and sugar until fluffy.
Mix in vanilla, then gradually add flour and salt.
Press half of the dough evenly into the prepared pan to form the base.

3. Prepare the Filling

In a microwave-safe bowl, combine chocolate chips, caramel sauce, and sweetened condensed milk.
Microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring each time, until smooth. Stir in vanilla extract and optional nuts.

4. Layer the Bars

Pour the gooey filling over the crust layer in the pan.
Crumble the remaining dough on top, covering the filling as much as possible.

5. Bake

Bake for 25–30 minutes, until the top is golden and set but still soft in the center.

6. Cool and Slice

Allow bars to cool completely in the pan before slicing into squares or rectangles.

7. Serve and Enjoy

Serve as-is for indulgent gooey goodness or with a scoop of ice cream for extra decadence.