Knock You Naked Bars Recipe

If there’s one dessert guaranteed to get rave reviews every single time, it’s Knock You Naked Bars. Gooey, buttery, and loaded with chocolate and caramel, these bars strike the perfect balance between decadent and comforting. They come together faster than you’d expect—ideal for those evenings when you need a sweet treat in a hurry, or want to impress without breaking a sweat. Every bite features warm, melty chocolate chips and a rich, peanut buttery caramel layer sandwiched between soft, chewy cookie dough. Perfect for bake sales, potlucks, or an indulgent family dessert, these bars are about to become your new go-to favorite.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Ridiculously Easy, Quick Assembly: Whether you’re a baking pro or a beginner, Knock You Naked Bars keep it simple. Just make the cookie dough, pour on a luscious caramel layer, and top with more dough.
• Ooey Gooey Texture: With gooey caramel and chocolate chips snuggled in between two soft-baked cookie layers, every bite is pure comfort.
• Crowd-Pleaser: These bars disappear at parties, and don’t expect leftovers—they’re always the first dessert gone.
• Customizable: Don’t have one ingredient? No worries, there are plenty of ways to make it your own.

this Recipe

Ingredients You’ll Need

• All Purpose Flour: The sturdy foundation for a perfectly chewy bar.
• Baking Soda: Gives a little lift for a tender texture.
• Salt: Essential for balancing all the sweetness.
• Butter: Softened butter makes the bars flavorful and rich.
• Granulated Sugar & Brown Sugar: Both sugars work together—white sugar keeps things crisp, brown sugar adds flavor and moisture.
• Vanilla Extract: For that little extra warmth and depth.
• Eggs: Binding all the delicious components and making the bars soft and chewy.
• Chocolate Chips: Use semisweet for classic flavor, but milk or dark chocolate works too. Chocolate chunks are also a great touch.
• Evaporated Milk: Thins the caramel for a pourable consistency.
• Caramels or Caramel Bits: The heart of that gooey middle layer—use whichever melts down easily.
• Creamy Peanut Butter: Adds another layer of flavor and smoothness to the caramel.

Tip: Don’t skimp on softening your butter—it makes all the difference for the texture of your cookie base!

Variations

Feel like switching things up? Here are a few ideas:

• Nutty Crunch: Add a handful of chopped pecans or walnuts to the dough or sprinkle on top.
• Peanut-Free: Swap out peanut butter for almond butter, cashew butter, or leave it out for classic caramel.
• Extra Chocolate: Drizzle the cooled bars with melted chocolate or add some white chocolate chips into the dough.
• Salty-Sweet: Sprinkle flaked sea salt on top before baking the last layer.
• Different Chips: Try butterscotch, peanut butter, or dark chocolate chips for a new flavor profile.

How to Make Knock You Naked Bars

Step 1: Prepare the Cookie Dough

Mix the softened butter with both sugars and vanilla until everything’s smooth and well combined. Add the eggs one at a time, mixing until you have a creamy base. Add the flour, baking soda, and salt—blend just until you have a beautiful, smooth dough. Fold in all those chocolate chips.

Step 2: Layer and Bake

Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish (don’t skip this or the gooey caramel will stick!). Press half of your cookie dough evenly into the bottom, smoothing out the corners. Bake for 10 minutes, just until it’s beginning to set but not fully cooked.

Step 3: Make the Caramel Mixture

While the bottom cookie layer bakes, melt your caramels with evaporated milk in a saucepan over medium heat, stirring often. Once everything is completely melted and smooth, take it off the heat and stir in the peanut butter. The aroma at this point is out of this world.

Step 4: Assemble and Finish Baking

As soon as the first layer comes out of the oven, pour the creamy caramel mixture on top, gently spreading it out. Drop spoonfuls of the remaining cookie dough all around the top—don’t worry about covering every inch, the dough will spread.

Pop the dish back into the oven for another 20 to 25 minutes. You’re looking for a golden brown top and set edges. The caramel will be bubbling, and the kitchen will smell amazing.

Step 5: Cool and Slice

Let the bars cool for at least 15 minutes—this helps the caramel set and makes them much easier to slice. For ultra-clean cuts, wait until they’re fully cool (if you can stand to wait that long!).

Pro Tips for Making the Recipe

• Don’t Overmix: Stop mixing as soon as you add the dry ingredients; overmixing makes the bars tough.
• Line the Pan: For the easiest removal, line your pan with parchment or foil before baking.
• Room Temp Eggs: Let your eggs come to room temperature for a smoother batter.
• Even Spreading: Use an offset spatula or back of a spoon for smooth layers.
• Patience Pays: Let the bars cool completely before cutting if you want perfectly neat squares (but they’re fantastic gooey, too).

How to Serve

Serve Knock You Naked Bars just as they are—warm, room temperature, or even chilled for ultra-chewy bites. These bars are fantastic with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, a drizzle of extra caramel, or a light dusting of sea salt for those who love salty-sweet desserts. Pair with a hot cup of coffee, tea, or a tall glass of cold milk for the ultimate treat.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store your bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days. They stay soft and chewy, but you can also refrigerate to keep them firmer.

Freezing

These freeze beautifully! Once fully cooled, cut into squares, wrap individually or layer with parchment in an airtight container, and freeze for up to two months. Thaw at room temperature for a ready-to-eat dessert anytime.

Reheating

If you’re craving that just-baked gooeyness, pop a bar in the microwave for a few seconds. The chocolate and caramel will melt perfectly for a decadent treat.

FAQs

Can I make Knock You Naked Bars ahead of time?
Absolutely. These bars are perfect for making a day in advance, and the flavors only get better as they settle. Just store them in an airtight container until you’re ready to serve.

What can I use instead of caramels?
If you can’t find packaged caramels, homemade caramel sauce (thicker style) will do the trick, or use caramel baking chips melted with cream for a quick alternative.

How do I know when the bars are done?
When the top is golden brown and the edges are set, the bars are ready. Remember, the center is filled with gooey caramel, so a toothpick might not come out totally clean—trust your eyes!

Can I make these gluten-free?
Yes, simply use your favorite 1:1 gluten-free flour blend. Make sure your other ingredients (like caramels and chocolate chips) are certified gluten-free.

Final Thoughts

Knock You Naked Bars are the dessert you make once and end up making for years to come. They’re easy enough for any night of the week but impressive enough for company. Every layer—chewy cookie, melty chocolate, smooth caramel—is utterly irresistible. Don’t wait for a special occasion; treat yourself and make a pan soon. You deserve every delicious bite!

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