Better Than Anything Bars are a decadent, layered dessert featuring a buttery graham cracker crust, a gooey caramel layer, rich chocolate, and a crunchy topping. These bars are the perfect combination of sweet, salty, and crunchy, making them an irresistible treat for any occasion!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Incredibly Easy to Make: Simple ingredients and quick assembly.
- Rich and Gooey: Layers of caramel, chocolate, and crunchy toppings make every bite delicious.
- Perfect for Any Occasion: Great for parties, potlucks, or as an indulgent dessert.
- Customizable: Switch up the toppings or add different flavors to make it your own.
- No-Fail Dessert: Comes together effortlessly with minimal baking.
Ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
- Graham cracker crumbs
- Butter, melted
- Sweetened condensed milk
- Caramel sauce or toffee bits
- Chocolate chips (semi-sweet or milk chocolate)
- Chopped nuts (pecans or almonds, optional)
- Heath toffee bits (optional, for extra crunch)
- Sea salt (optional, for a salted caramel twist)
Directions
- Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a baking dish.
- Make the Crust: In a bowl, mix graham cracker crumbs with melted butter. Press the mixture into the bottom of the baking dish.
- Add Sweetened Condensed Milk: Pour the sweetened condensed milk evenly over the crust.
- Layer the Caramel: Drizzle caramel sauce or sprinkle toffee bits over the milk layer.
- Bake: Bake for 20-25 minutes until bubbly and golden brown.
- Melt the Chocolate: Sprinkle chocolate chips over the hot baked layers. Let them sit for a few minutes, then spread evenly with a spatula.
- Top & Cool: Sprinkle with chopped nuts, toffee bits, or sea salt. Let the bars cool completely before slicing.
- Serve and Enjoy: Cut into squares and serve as a rich, indulgent dessert.
Servings and Timing
- Servings: 12-16 bars
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
Variations
- Salted Caramel Version: Sprinkle sea salt over the caramel layer before baking.
- Peanut Butter Twist: Swirl melted peanut butter into the chocolate layer.
- Extra Crunchy: Use crushed pretzels as part of the topping.
- Nut-Free Option: Skip the nuts and add coconut flakes instead.
- Gluten-Free: Use gluten-free graham crackers for the crust.
Storage/Reheating
- Refrigeration: Store in an airtight container for up to 1 week.
- Freezing: Freeze bars for up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature before serving.
- Reheating: Not necessary, but you can warm in the microwave for a gooey texture.
FAQs
Why are they called “Better Than Anything Bars”?
Because they’re so rich, gooey, and indulgent that they rival any other dessert!
Can I use store-bought caramel sauce?
Yes! Store-bought caramel or homemade caramel both work well.
What’s the best type of chocolate to use?
Semi-sweet chocolate chips balance the sweetness, but milk or dark chocolate works too.
How do I keep the crust from crumbling?
Press the graham cracker crust firmly into the pan and bake as directed.
Can I make these ahead of time?
Yes! These bars store well and actually taste better the next day.
Do I need to refrigerate them?
Not required, but chilling them helps the layers set and makes cutting easier.
Can I add marshmallows?
Absolutely! Sprinkle mini marshmallows before baking for a gooey addition.
What’s the best way to cut these bars?
Use a sharp knife and wipe it clean between cuts for clean slices.
How do I make them extra gooey?
Add an extra drizzle of caramel sauce after baking.
Can I substitute another cookie base for the crust?
Yes! Try Oreos, vanilla wafers, or shortbread cookies instead of graham crackers.
Conclusion
Better Than Anything Bars live up to their name with layers of buttery crust, gooey caramel, melted chocolate, and crunchy toppings. They’re easy to make, completely addictive, and perfect for any sweet craving. Try this indulgent dessert today and enjoy the ultimate treat!
PrintBetter Than Anything Bars Recipe
These Better Than Anything Bars (also known as “Better Than Sex Bars”) are a rich, decadent dessert featuring layers of chocolate, caramel, and toffee over a soft, chewy base. They’re easy to make and perfect for parties, holidays, or satisfying a sweet tooth!
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
For the Base:
- 1 box (15.25 oz / 432 g) devil’s food cake mix
- 1/2 cup (115 g) unsalted butter, melted
- 1 large egg
For the Toppings:
- 1 can (14 oz / 397 g) sweetened condensed milk
- 1 cup (180 g) semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1/2 cup (120 g) caramel sauce (store-bought or homemade)
- 1/2 cup (60 g) toffee bits (Heath or Skor)
- 1/2 teaspoon sea salt (optional, for extra flavor)
Instructions
1️⃣ Prepare the Base:
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Line a 9×13-inch baking dish with parchment paper or grease it lightly.
- In a large bowl, mix cake mix, melted butter, and egg until combined.
- Press the dough evenly into the baking dish.
2️⃣ Bake & Add Layers:
- Bake for 12-15 minutes, until the base is set but still soft.
- Remove from oven and immediately pour sweetened condensed milk evenly over the top.
- Sprinkle with chocolate chips, then drizzle with caramel sauce.
3️⃣ Final Toppings & Bake Again:
- Return to oven and bake for 12-15 more minutes, until the chocolate is melted and bubbly.
- Remove from oven and immediately sprinkle with toffee bits and sea salt (if using).
4️⃣ Cool & Serve:
- Let cool completely before cutting into bars (about 1 hour).
- Serve and enjoy!
Notes
📌 Extra Crunch? Add chopped pecans or almonds.
🍪 Cookie Dough Base? Swap cake mix for chocolate chip cookie dough.
🔥 Want a S’mores Twist? Add mini marshmallows on top before the second bake!
🥛 Best Served With? A cold glass of milk or vanilla ice cream.