Heavenly 4-Layer Everything Bars Recipe: Deliciousness in One Bite

Layers of pure indulgence melt together in these irresistible 4-layer everything bars that combine sweet, salty, and crunchy textures into one decadent treat.

Chocolate chips, graham cracker crumbs, and caramel create a symphony of flavors that dance across your taste buds.

Each carefully crafted layer adds depth and complexity to this crowd-pleasing dessert.

No ordinary snack could compete with the rich, gooey goodness packed into these bars.

The combination of ingredients promises a delightful experience that will have everyone asking for seconds.

Chocolate lovers and dessert enthusiasts will find themselves swooning over every single bite of this incredible confection.

Let’s find out this delectable recipe and prepare to become the star of any gathering.

How to Make 4-Layer Everything Bars from Scratch

• Warm-Up Setup Prep the oven to a cozy 350°F and get a 9×9 baking pan ready. Gently press cookie dough into the pan, creating a smooth base layer that will support all the deliciousness to come.
• Golden Crust First Bake the cookie foundation until it turns a soft golden color, which takes about 13-15 minutes. Let it cool completely, giving it time to set and become stable.
• Caramel Magic Melt together the caramel ingredients in a saucepan, stirring with love until everything transforms into a silky smooth mixture. Pour this liquid gold over the cooled cookie base.
• Freezer Pause Slide the pan into the freezer for a quick 10-minute chill to help the caramel layer firm up and create a solid platform for the next adventure.
• Nougat Transformation In the same saucepan, craft the nougat by combining butter, sugar, and milk. Bring to a gentle boil, then simmer without stirring. Blend marshmallow cream and peanut butter into a dreamy mixture.
• Nougat Layer Pour the nougat blend over the chilled caramel, creating a creamy second dimension to your bar experience.
• Chocolate Krispies Finale Melt chocolate chips with warm cream, creating a luxurious ganache. Fold in crispy rice cereal gently to add a delightful crunch to the top layer.
• Chill and Slice Let the entire creation rest in the refrigerator for two hours, allowing all layers to set perfectly. Slice into delectable squares and enjoy your multilayered treat.

Sweet Tips for Better 4-Layer Everything Bars

• Freeze each layer briefly to help them set perfectly and prevent messy blending between layers, ensuring clean and crisp boundaries.
• Use a wooden spoon and stir constantly to avoid burning or creating lumpy textures when preparing the caramel layer.
• Ensure butter, milk, and other dairy components are at room temperature for smoother mixing and better overall consistency.
• Line your baking pan with parchment paper for effortless bar removal and easier cutting without crumbling.
• Swap rice krispies with crushed pretzels or graham crackers for a unique crunch and flavor variation that keeps the recipe exciting.

Ways to Serve 4-Layer Everything Bars

• Sweet Celebration Platter: Create a stunning dessert board with the 4-Layer Everything Bars as the star, surrounded by fresh berries, whipped cream, and a light dusting of powdered sugar for an elegant presentation.
• Cozy Movie Night Treat: Cut bars into bite-sized squares, arrange on a fun plate with a cold glass of milk or hot cocoa, perfect for snuggling up during a movie marathon with friends or family.
• Picnic Perfect Dessert: Wrap individual bars in parchment paper, pack in a cooler for outdoor adventures, making them an ideal portable sweet treat for beach trips, park outings, or summer gatherings.
• Gift-Worthy Delights: Package bars in cute gift boxes with ribbon, creating a homemade present that shows extra love and care for birthdays, holidays, or just because moments that need a sweet touch.

Keep 4-Layer Everything Bars Fresh Longer

• Quick Batch Preparation: Assemble these decadent bars during weekend meal prep sessions to have delightful treats ready throughout the week. Prepare multiple batches simultaneously, saving time and energy in your kitchen.
• Refrigeration Strategy: Store completed bars in an airtight container within refrigerator, keeping them fresh for up to 5-7 days. Stack layers between parchment paper sheets to prevent sticking and maintain individual layer integrity.
• Freezer-Friendly Option: Wrap individual bars tightly in plastic wrap, then place inside freezer-safe containers. These delectable treats can remain frozen for 2-3 months without losing their rich, creamy texture or complex flavor profile.
• Temperature Management: Always serve slightly chilled for optimal taste and structural stability. Remove from refrigerator 10-15 minutes before enjoying to let chocolate ganache soften slightly, enhancing overall eating experience.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 30 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour

Calories: 300 kcal

Servings: 17

All the Goodies in 4-Layer Everything Bars

• Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough: Pre-prepared dough ensures quick assembly and consistent texture, choose a high-quality brand for best flavor.
• Unsalted Butter: Provides rich, smooth foundation for cookie layer, select fresh butter for optimal taste.

• Caramels, Evaporated Milk, Water: Creates smooth, stretchy caramel layer, use soft, fresh caramels that melt easily.
• White Sugar, Evaporated Milk: Develops deep, sweet caramel sauce with silky consistency, opt for pure cane sugar.

• Marshmallow Cream: Adds fluffy, sweet layer with creamy texture, select fresh jar with no separation.
• Peanut Butter: Introduces nutty, rich flavor and creamy element, choose smooth variety for even distribution.
• Semisweet Chocolate Chips, Heavy Whipping Cream: Creates luxurious chocolate ganache topping, use high-quality chocolate for intense flavor.
• Rice Krispies Cereal: Provides delightful crunch and textural contrast, select crisp, fresh cereal for maximum crispiness.

Tools for Assembling 4-Layer Everything Bars

• 9×9-inch baking pan: essential for creating perfectly layered bars with even thickness.
• Saucepan: crucial for preparing caramel and nougat layers smoothly.
• Mixing bowls: needed for blending ingredients and creating chocolate ganache.
• Whisk: helps mix marshmallow cream and peanut butter thoroughly.
• Spatula: useful for spreading layers evenly and scraping mixture from sides of pan.
• Measuring cups and spoons: ensure accurate ingredient proportions.
• Small saucepan: perfect for heating cream without scorching.
• Wooden spoon or silicone spatula: great for stirring ingredients without scratching pan surfaces.

Decadent Everything Bars Recipe

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4.7 from 12 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour
• Yield: 17 1x

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Description

Chocolate-packed 4-layer everything bars combine rich textures and intense flavors from classic dessert ingredients. Home bakers can craft this indulgent multilayered treat with simple pantry staples for a crowd-pleasing sweet experience.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 package (12 oz / 340 g) chocolate chip cookie dough
• 1 ¼ cups (250 g) white sugar
• 1 cup (170 g) semisweet chocolate chips
• 35 caramels, unwrapped
• 1 jar (7 oz / 198 g) marshmallow cream
• ⅓ cup (76 g) unsalted butter
• ½ cup (120 mL) evaporated milk
• 1 tbsp (15 mL) evaporated milk
• ¼ cup (60 mL) heavy whipping cream
• ¼ cup (64 g) peanut butter
• ¾ cup (20 g) rice krispies cereal
• 1 tbsp (15 mL) water

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Instructions

1. Prepare Pan: Preheat oven to 350°F and lightly grease a 9×9-inch baking pan, ensuring even coating.
2. Cookie Base: Press cookie dough uniformly across the pan bottom, creating a smooth, consistent foundation. Bake for 13-15 minutes until golden, then cool completely.
3. Caramel Construction: In a saucepan, meld caramel ingredients over medium heat, stirring consistently until achieving a silky, homogeneous texture. Cascade the molten mixture over the cooled cookie crust and freeze for 10 minutes to solidify.
4. Nougat Fusion: Combine butter, sugar, and milk in a clean saucepan, bringing to a vigorous boil while continuously stirring. Reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes without additional agitation. In a separate bowl, blend marshmallow cream and peanut butter until fully integrated. Incorporate the boiled mixture into the marshmallow-peanut butter combination, whisking until smooth and uniform. Pour over the chilled caramel layer and return to the freezer for 10 minutes.
5. Chocolate Crispy Topping: Place chocolate chips in a heat-resistant bowl. Warm heavy cream in a small saucepan until near boiling, avoiding scorching. Pour hot cream over chocolate chips, stirring vigorously until achieving a glossy, melted consistency. Gently fold rice crispy cereal into the chocolate ganache, ensuring even distribution across the nougat layer.
6. Final Set: Refrigerate the entire dessert for a minimum of two hours to completely set before slicing into decadent portions.

Notes

• Prep Strategically: Gather all ingredients beforehand to streamline the layering process and ensure smooth execution.
• Temperature Matters: Allow cookie dough and layers to cool completely between stages to prevent structural collapse and maintain distinct textures.
• Freeze for Finesse: Use brief freezing intervals to stabilize each layer, creating clean, professional-looking bars with crisp definition.
• Smooth Stirring Technique: Maintain consistent, gentle stirring during caramel and nougat preparation to prevent burning and achieve silky-smooth consistencies.

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Snacks, Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 17
• Calories: 300
• Sugar: 25 g
• Sodium: 150 mg
• Fat: 15 g
• Saturated Fat: 7 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 38 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 4 g
• Cholesterol: 30 mg