Treasure Chest Bars

Unlock the magic of indulgence with these irresistible Treasure Chest Bars, a decadent layered treat that's equal parts buttery, gooey, and crunchy. Featuring a golden shortbread crust topped with a luscious caramel layer, a sprinkle of melty semi-sweet chocolate chips, and a crown of toasted pecans or walnuts, these bars are a treasure trove of flavors and textures. Perfectly balanced with a touch of vanilla and a hint of salt, this dessert is simple to prepare yet rich enough to impress. Whether you're hosting a gathering or satisfying your sweet tooth, these bars are the ultimate crowd-pleaser. Ready in under an hour and yielding 16 generous servings, Treasure Chest Bars are your next go-to recipe for an unforgettable dessert.

Nutriscore Rating: 40/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:30 mins

Total Time:50 mins

Servings: 16

Ingredients

• 1 cup unsalted butter
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 0.5 cup granulated sugar
• 14 ounces sweetened condensed milk
• 0.5 cup light brown sugar
• 0.25 cup light corn syrup
• 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 0.75 cup chopped pecans or walnuts
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 0.25 teaspoon salt

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a 9x13-inch baking dish with parchment paper, leaving some overhang for easy removal.

Step 2

In a medium bowl, combine the butter (softened), flour, and granulated sugar. Mix until the ingredients form a crumbly dough.

Step 3

Press the dough evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking dish to form the crust. Bake the crust for 15 minutes, or until lightly golden. Remove from the oven and set aside to cool slightly.

Step 4

In a medium saucepan, combine the sweetened condensed milk, brown sugar, corn syrup, and 2 tablespoons of butter. Heat over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the mixture thickens and becomes caramel-like (about 7–10 minutes).

Step 5

Remove the saucepan from heat and stir in the vanilla extract and salt.

Step 6

Pour the caramel layer evenly over the baked crust, using a spatula to spread it to the edges.

Step 7

Sprinkle the chocolate chips over the caramel layer, allowing them to slightly melt into the surface.

Step 8

Top with chopped nuts for an added crunch.

Step 9

Bake for an additional 12–15 minutes, or until the chocolate is melted and the nuts are golden.

Step 10

Remove from the oven and let the bars cool completely in the baking dish (this may take 1–2 hours).

Step 11

Once cooled, use the parchment paper overhang to lift the bars out of the dish. Slice into 16 squares or desired serving sizes.

Step 12

Serve and enjoy your Treasure Chest Bars!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	1268.6 grams (1268.6g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	5285

Total Fat 238.20g	305%
Saturated Fat 111.90g	560%
Polyunsaturated Fat 1.30g
Cholesterol 383mg	128%
Sodium 1148mg	50%
Total Carbohydrate 769.30g	280%
Dietary Fiber 26.90g	96%
Total Sugars 555.00g
Protein 77.30g	155%

Vitamin D 32IU	159%
Calcium 1307mg	101%
Iron 18mg	102%
Potassium 2236mg	48%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 38.8%

Protein: 5.6%

Carbs: 55.6%