✨ Irresistible Creamy Dulce de Leche Bars: A Caramel Lover’s Dream Dessert 🍮
This recipe is inspired by the rich, thick, caramel-colored dessert bars in the photo, featuring a luxurious layer of caramel (or dulce de leche) on a sturdy shortbread-like crust, topped with a beautiful, glossy caramel drizzle. This decadent treat is the perfect centerpiece for any dessert table or a comforting afternoon snack.
📝 Ingredients
For the Buttery Shortbread Crust:
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2 Cups All-Purpose Flour
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1/2 Cup Granulated Sugar
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1/4 Tsp Salt
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1 Cup (2 Sticks) Unsalted Butter: Cold, cut into small cubes.
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🧈 Benefit Highlight (Butter): Provides essential fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, K) and adds a rich, essential flavor and texture to the shortbread base.
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For the Creamy Dulce de Leche Filling:
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1 (14-ounce) Can Sweetened Condensed Milk: This will be caramelized into Dulce de Leche (or use store-bought).
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Alternatively, use 1.5 cups of a thick caramel sauce or Biscoff cookie butter.
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🥛 Benefit Highlight (Condensed Milk): A source of quick energy from sugars and carbohydrates, and contains Calcium and Protein from the milk solids.
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1 (8-ounce) Package Cream Cheese: Softened (optional, for a creamier, cheesecake-like layer).
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1/4 Cup Powdered Sugar (Confectioners’ Sugar): If using cream cheese.
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1 Tsp Vanilla Extract
For the Glossy Drizzle (Optional but Recommended):
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1/4 Cup Store-Bought Caramel Sauce: Or the remaining Dulce de Leche, thinned slightly with a teaspoon of milk.
