How to Make Caramel Bars
Who doesn’t love the combination of chocolate and caramel? This tutorial breaks down how to make caramel bars from scratch into 12 simple steps.
With a few simple ingredients like hazelnuts, chocolate, heavy cream, and butter this chocolate caramel bars recipe will show you how to make delicious candy right in your own kitchen.
Worried about making caramel from scratch? This recipe explains precisely how to cook the sugar and when to add the butter and cream. The bars take a couple hours to set, but once they are done, you will have nutty, rich caramel bars your whole family will love. Just make sure the kids don’t feed any to the family dog!
Table of Contents
Step #1. Prep the Ingredients
In this tutorial, we will teach you how to make chocolate and caramel bars. Gather the following ingredients & items:
- ½ cup hazelnuts
- 300 grams chocolate, broken into pieces
- 1 cup sugar
- ½ cup water
- 2 tsp. lemon juice, to prevent crystallization
- 4 tbsp. butter
- 2 tbsp. heavy cream
- Small loaf pan
- Kitchen Mallet
- Foil
Step #2. Chop the Hazelnuts
Chop the hazelnuts in small pieces with the mallet.
Step #3. Begin to Melt the Chocolate
Place the chocolate in a metal bowl and over a pot with simmering water (to melt using a double-boiler style).
Step #4. Continue Melting Until Smooth
When the chocolate is melted, reserve but keep warm (you can lower the heat and keep it in the same pot until it’s time to serve in the mold).
Step #5. Begin to Make the Caramel
Place the sugar in a deep pot. When making caramel, do not use a metal spoon. Opt for a clean, wooden or silicone spoon to prevent crystallization.
Any debris in the pot or on the utensil could also cause the caramel to crystallize so make sure they are very clean.
Step #6. Add Liquid & Bring to a Boil
Add the water and lemon juice and heat slowly over medium heat until boiling. Give it an initial stir, and then stop stirring! Do not mix anymore as this can promote crystallization.
You can, however, gently swirl the pot to brown the sugar evenly. Once the water evaporates, the sugar will begin to caramelize.
Step #7. Brown the Mixture
Once it begins to brown (you have to be very vigilant as this happens very suddenly), remove from heat carefully and add the butter and heavy cream. Now you can stir until soft. It will bubble and foam at first.
Do not feel discouraged if it didn’t turn out for you on your first attempt. If it does happen to crystallize, you can try to fix the caramel by adding 1/4 cup of water back to the pot and start the process of heating to a boil again.
Step #8. Add a Layer of Chocolate to Loaf Pan
Cover a small loaf pan with foil and add half of the chocolate.
Step #9. Add a Layer of Caramel
Add the caramel to the pan.
Step #10. Sprinkle with Chopped Hazelnuts
Sprinkle with half of the chopped hazelnuts.
Step #11. Add Final Layer of Chocolate
Add the rest of the chocolate. Sprinkle the rest of the hazelnuts on top and let it cool (for at least 2 hours or until the chocolate is hard).
Step #12. Cut & Serve
When it’s cool, cut in big pieces and serve.
Are you surprised by how easy that was? The hardest part of this recipe is having to wait the two hours to let the chocolate and caramel set before getting to taste them!
You don’t even need a candy thermometer to follow this chocolate caramel bars recipe.
The hazelnuts add just the crunchy touch this recipe needs. These bars are great for the holidays or any time you feel like surprising your friends and family with a sweet treat. Did you try to make the recipe? Let us know what you think about it.
How to Make Caramel Bars
Ingredients
- ½ cup hazelnuts
- 10.6 oz. chocolate - broken into pieces
- 1 cup sugar
- ½ cup water
- 2 tsp. lemon juice - to prevent crystallization
- 4 tbsp. butter
- 2 tbsp. heavy cream
Instructions
- Chop the hazelnuts in small pieces with the mallet.
- Place the chocolate in a metal bowl and over a pot with simmering water (to melt using a double-boiler style).
- When the chocolate is melted, reserve but keep warm (you can lower the heat and keep it in the same pot until it’s time to serve in the mold).
- Place the sugar in a deep pot. When making caramel, do not use a metal spoon. Opt for a clean, wooden or silicone spoon to prevent crystallization. Any debris in the pot or on the utensil could also cause the caramel to crystallize so make sure they are very clean.
- Add the water and lemon juice and heat slowly over medium heat until boiling. Give it an initial stir, and then stop stirring! Do not mix anymore as this can promote crystallization. You can, however, gently swirl the pot to brown the sugar evenly. Once the water evaporates, the sugar will begin to caramelize.
- Once it begins to brown (you have to be very vigilant as this happens very suddenly), remove from heat carefully and add the butter and heavy cream. Now you can stir until soft. It will bubble and foam at first.
- Cover a small loaf pan with foil and add half of the chocolate.
- Add the caramel to the pan.
- Sprinkle with half of the chopped hazelnuts.
- Add the rest of the chocolate. Sprinkle the rest of the hazelnuts on top and let it cool at room temperature (for at least 2 hours or until the chocolate is hard).
- When it’s cool, cut in big pieces and serve.
Equipment
Nutrition
Nutrition information on In the Kitch is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate only. It may not include toppings and/or sauces.
Looking for more chocolatey desserts? Check out…
How to Make White Chocolate Ganache
I am Joss, the creator and editor of In the Kitch. I am inviting you on this food journey with me to learn, grow and bring out that inner chef in you. I hope to inspire you to get creative in your own kitchen!
