Salted Caramel Ritz Bars Recipe

Introduction

Salted Caramel Ritz Bars are a delightful treat combining the crunch of buttery RITZ crackers with rich caramel and smooth chocolate. These no-fuss bars offer a perfect balance of sweet and salty flavors that will satisfy any dessert craving.

Ingredients

• 13.7 ounce box RITZ crackers
• 1 can (14 ounces) sweetened condensed milk
• 20 small caramel candies, unwrapped
• 2 tablespoons heavy whipping cream
• 1/4 teaspoon flaky sea salt
• 1 cup chocolate chips

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. Step 2: Place the RITZ crackers in a food processor or blender and pulse until they become fine crumbs.
3. Step 3: In a medium mixing bowl, stir together the cracker crumbs and sweetened condensed milk until fully combined.
4. Step 4: Press the mixture evenly into an 8×8-inch baking dish and bake for 10 minutes.
5. Step 5: While the crust bakes, combine the caramel candies and heavy whipping cream in a small bowl. Microwave for 3 minutes, stirring every 60 seconds, until melted and smooth.
6. Step 6: Remove the crust from the oven and immediately pour the warm caramel sauce over it, spreading it evenly. Sprinkle the flaky sea salt on top.
7. Step 7: Sprinkle the chocolate chips over the caramel layer and let them sit for 5 minutes to melt.
8. Step 8: Using a spatula, spread the melted chocolate evenly over the caramel. Refrigerate the bars for at least two hours to set before cutting and serving.

Tips & Variations

• For a richer chocolate layer, use a mix of semi-sweet and milk chocolate chips.
• Swap flaky sea salt for a pinch of smoked salt to add a subtle smoky flavor.
• Use salted butter crackers for an extra salty-sweet contrast in the crust.
• To speed up melting, warm the caramel sauce gently on the stovetop instead of the microwave.

Storage

Store the bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. For best texture, allow them to come to room temperature for a few minutes before serving. Leftovers can also be frozen for up to 2 months; thaw in the refrigerator overnight before enjoying.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make these bars without a food processor?

Yes, you can place the RITZ crackers in a sealed plastic bag and crush them using a rolling pin until you achieve fine crumbs.

What type of caramel candies work best?

Soft, creamy caramel candies melt more smoothly, but you can use any small caramel candies as long as they melt evenly with the heavy cream.

Salted Caramel Ritz Bars Recipe

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★★★★★

4.9 from 70 reviews

• Author: Elara
• Total Time: 2 hours 25 minutes
• Yield: 16 bars 1x

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Description

These Salted Caramel Ritz Bars feature a buttery Ritz cracker crust combined with sweetened condensed milk, topped with melted caramel and a sprinkle of flaky sea salt, finished with a rich layer of melted chocolate chips. Perfect for a sweet and salty treat that’s easy to make and delightful to enjoy.

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Ingredients

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Crust

• 13.7 ounce box RITZ crackers
• 1 can (14 ounces) sweetened condensed milk

Caramel Topping

• 20 pieces small caramel candies (unwrapped)
• 2 tablespoons heavy whipping cream
• 1/4 teaspoon flaky sea salt

Chocolate Topping

• 1 cup chocolate chips

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Instructions

1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit to prepare for baking the crust.
2. Make Cracker Crumbs: Add the RITZ crackers to a food processor or blender and process until you achieve fine crumbs, which will serve as the base for the bars.
3. Combine Crust Ingredients: In a medium mixing bowl, stir together the cracker crumbs and sweetened condensed milk until well combined to form a batter-like mixture.
4. Bake Crust: Press the mixture evenly into an 8×8 baking dish and bake for 10 minutes until slightly firm and set.
5. Melt Caramel Sauce: While the crust is baking, place caramel candies and heavy whipping cream into a small microwave-safe bowl and microwave for 3 minutes, stirring every 60 seconds until fully melted and smooth.
6. Pour Caramel: Remove the baked crust from the oven and immediately pour the warm caramel sauce evenly over the top, then sprinkle with flaky sea salt to enhance the flavors.
7. Add Chocolate Chips: Sprinkle the chocolate chips over the caramel layer and let them sit for 5 minutes to allow the chips to melt naturally.
8. Spread Melted Chocolate: Spread the melted chocolate chips evenly over the caramel layer to create a smooth chocolate topping.
9. Chill and Set: Place the bars in the refrigerator and let them harden for at least two hours before cutting into squares and serving.

Notes

• Use flaky sea salt for the best texture and flavor contrast with the caramel.
• Make sure the caramel and chocolate layers are properly melted for smooth spreading.
• Press the crust firmly into the pan to avoid crumbly bars.
• Refrigerate the bars thoroughly to help them set and make cutting easier.
• Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Keywords: salted caramel bars, ritz cracker dessert, caramel chocolate bars, easy dessert recipe, sweet and salty bars