Ingredients
- All-purpose flour (1 1/2 cups)
- Light brown sugar (1 cup, packed)
- Old-fashioned rolled oats (1 cup)
- Salted butter (1 cup, or 2 sticks, softened)
- Sweetened condensed milk (1 can, 14 oz)
- vanilla powder (1 teaspoon)
- Butterscotch baking chips (1/2 cup)
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13 inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the sides for easy removal, and set aside.
- Step 2: In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, brown sugar, and rolled oats. Cut in the softened butter using a pastry blender or your hands until the mixture forms coarse, pea-sized crumbs. Press two-thirds of this crumb mixture evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan to form the base crust.
- Step 3: Prepare the caramel filling by whisking the sweetened condensed milk and vanilla bean paste together in a small bowl until fully combined. Pour this filling evenly over the pressed crust layer, then sprinkle the butterscotch chips across the surface of the filling.
- Step 4: Distribute the remaining one-third of the crumb mixture evenly over the caramel filling, ensuring it is lightly sprinkled rather than pressed down.
- Step 5: Bake the bars for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the crumb topping is light golden brown and the filling is bubbly at the edges. Let the bars cool completely in the pan on a wire rack (at least 2 hours) before lifting them out by the parchment paper and cutting into 24 squares.
Notes
- Store these bars tightly covered at room temperature for up to 4 days, or freeze the cut squares for up to 2 months; thaw at room temperature before serving.
- If the bars seem stiff after refrigeration, microwave individual squares for 8-10 seconds to slightly warm the filling and restore the chewy, gooey texture.
- For a decadent contrast, serve these rich bars slightly chilled alongside a dollop of unsweetened whipped cream or a small scoop of sea salt caramel ice cream.
- Resist the temptation to cut these bars early; the filling needs the full two hours of cooling time to set properly, ensuring your squares are clean and don't stick to the knife.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American