CHRISTMAS RECIPES > CHRISTMAS COOKIES

Cranberry Caramel Bars

The richest and gooiest bars for your Christmas party, these are sure to please guests of all ages. Beautiful, eye-pleasing layers and the melt in your mouth caramel and condensed milk give these bars the delicious taste ever.

Ingredients:

1 cup flour
½ cup butter
½ cup brown sugar
1 can sweetened condensed milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup mixed chopped nuts (walnuts, pecans, cashews etc.)
20 Kraft vanilla caramels
2 tablespoons milk or water
1 cup dried cranberries (Craisins)

Understanding the recipe:

These bars are made in three different layers – the first, a crumb like crust which is partially baked at first. Over the half-baked crust is added a layer of nuts and condensed milk which is again baked. Once the second layer cools down partially, the final layer of caramel is drizzled over and the bars are allowed to set completely before cutting into pieces.

The time taken to prepare the perfect caramel is reduced considerably by using ready caramel candies and melting them with milk or water.

Directions:

1. Mix flour, brown sugar and butter till the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.

2. Press this mixture into a 13 x 9 x 2 inch baking tin and bake at 350 degrees F for 15 minutes.

3. While the crust bakes, stir in the vanilla directly into the condensed milk can.

4. Chop the nuts coarsely.

5. Remove tin from the oven and sprinkle nuts over the half-baked crust. Pour the condensed milk over the nuts.

6. Bake again for 30 minutes and set aside to cool for about 10 minutes on a wire rack.

7. While it cools, combine caramels and milk or water in a saucepan and cook on low heat till all the caramels melt. Keep stirring and turn off the heat just as all the caramels melt.

8. Drizzle caramel over the condensed milk and while still warm, sprinkle craisins generously on the top.

9. Allow to cool completely and chill for at least 30 minutes before cutting into bars or squares or any other shapes.
 

This article first appeared in the 'Celebrating Christmas PDF Magazine 2008' which is a FREE magazine that you can download and even print out.