Irresistible Dulce de Leche Bars: Your New Favorite Crumb Bar Recipe

Get ready to indulge in a dessert that promises pure bliss with every bite! Today, we’re thrilled to share an extraordinary recipe for Dulce de Leche Bars, brought to you by my incredibly talented friend and fellow baker, Roxana, from Roxana’s Home Baking. While I’m immersed in a volunteer endeavor, Roxana has graciously stepped in to share her culinary magic, and trust me, these crumb bars are nothing short of spectacular.

Roxana is renowned for her exquisite breads and decadent sweets, constantly astounding me with her creativity and baking prowess. She’s the brilliant mind behind popular events like the Chocolate Party and the “Bake Your Own Bread” recipe round-up, both of which foster a vibrant community of passionate bakers. Her energy is truly infectious, and her gift for crafting delightful treats is something I deeply admire. I highly recommend popping over to her blog, Roxana’s Home Baking, to explore more of her incredible recipes and say hello. But first, let’s dive into the irresistible world of these gooey, chewy, and utterly delicious Dulce de Leche Bars!

The Allure of Homemade Dulce de Leche Bars

Hello everyone! I’m Roxana, the self-taught baker, aspiring food photographer, and proud sugar addict behind Roxana’s Home Baking. Like Liz’s blog, my culinary space is dedicated to the art and joy of baking everything from scratch. There’s a common misconception that baking from scratch is overly complicated or prohibitively time-consuming. I’m here to challenge that notion and prove just how rewarding and simple it can be.

Home baking spans a wide spectrum, from the straightforward ease of a muffin recipe to the more intricate satisfaction of a yeast bread or a beautifully layered cake. My mission is to inspire you to cast aside those store-bought loaves and cake mixes, embrace the delightful mess of flour and sugar, and create something truly special in your own kitchen. Because, after all, some of the fondest memories are made amidst the aroma of fresh baking.

Most of the recipes you’ll discover on my blog, including these fantastic Dulce de Leche Bars, rely on fundamental techniques that anyone can master with a dash of patience and a sprinkle of passion. You don’t need to be a professional baker to achieve impressive results; you just need a willingness to try, and perhaps a craving for something sweet and comforting.

Crafting the Perfect Crumb Bar: An Easy-to-Follow Recipe

Today, I’ve brought an incredibly easy recipe for Dulce de Leche Bars. While reading through the directions might initially seem a little involved, I assure you, the process is remarkably straightforward. And the taste? Oh, the taste! It’s an explosion of rich, sweet caramel and buttery crumb, far exceeding the minimal effort required. These bars deliver maximum flavor with surprisingly little fuss.

The foundation of these delectable bars is a simple yet incredibly flavorful oatmeal cookie dough. We start with a harmonious blend of all-purpose flour, hearty rolled oats, rich butter, and sweet brown sugar. The brown sugar isn’t just for sweetness; it plays a crucial role in imparting that wonderful, chewy texture that makes these bars so addictive. Once you’ve gathered your ingredients, the dough comes together in less than two minutes in a food processor – truly a testament to its simplicity.

After preparing the dough, you’ll press the majority of it evenly into the bottom of a baking pan, creating a sturdy and delicious base. A quick bake in the oven sets this bottom layer perfectly. Then, the magic happens: a luscious layer of dulce de leche is generously spread over the warm crust. Finally, the reserved portion of crumbly dough is sprinkled on top, forming a delightful, golden-brown topping as it bakes. The aroma filling your kitchen will be absolutely divine!

Does that sound hard? Absolutely not! I told you it’s easy, and the results are consistently impressive. These Dulce de Leche Bars are not just a dessert; they are a celebration of simple ingredients transformed into something extraordinary. They’re perfect for potlucks, parties, or simply to enjoy with a cup of coffee for a sweet afternoon treat. The combination of the chewy oatmeal crust and the gooey caramel filling is simply irresistible, making them a crowd-pleaser every time.

Tips for Perfect Dulce de Leche Bars

Achieving bakery-quality Dulce de Leche Bars at home is within your reach with a few simple tips:

• Use Cold Butter: For the crumb base, ensure your butter is diced and cold. This helps create a tender, flaky crust rather than a tough one. The food processor quickly incorporates it without overworking.
• Don’t Overmix: When making the dough in the food processor, pulse just until the ingredients come together. Overmixing can develop the gluten in the flour too much, leading to a less tender bar.
• Warm the Dulce de Leche: Gently warming the dulce de leche before spreading makes it much easier to work with, ensuring an even, luscious layer across your base.
• Chill the Reserved Dough: Freezing or chilling the reserved dough makes it much easier to grate or crumble evenly over the caramel layer. This creates that perfect streusel-like topping.
• Cool Completely: Patience is key! Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan before attempting to cut them. This ensures they set properly, allowing for clean cuts and preventing a gooey, sticky mess. If you try to cut them too soon, the caramel will still be very liquid.
• Storage: Store these bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up3-4 days, or in the refrigerator for up to a week. They are delightful slightly chilled.

Variations to Explore

While these Dulce de Leche Bars are heavenly on their own, don’t hesitate to experiment with variations to suit your taste:

• Nutty Crunch: Add a half cup of chopped pecans or walnuts to the crumb topping for an extra layer of texture and flavor.
• Chocolate Drizzle: Once cooled, melt some dark or milk chocolate and drizzle it over the bars for an even more decadent touch.
• Spiced Oats: A pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg in the oatmeal crumb dough can add a warm, comforting spice note.
• Coconut Delight: Mix in a quarter cup of shredded coconut to the crumb mixture for a tropical twist.

These simple additions can transform your bars and offer a new experience each time you bake them. No matter how you serve them, these homemade Dulce de Leche Bars are sure to become a cherished recipe in your baking repertoire.

The Ultimate Dulce de Leche Bar Recipe

Thank you, Roxana, for sharing this amazing Dulce de Leche Bars recipe with our lovely readers! These gooey, sweet treats are an absolute triumph, and I know they’ll bring so much joy to everyone who bakes them. Your passion for baking from scratch is truly inspiring, and this recipe perfectly embodies the ease and delight of homemade sweets.

I truly can’t wait to meet you in person at the Food Blog Forum in Orlando next week! In the meantime, for more incredible recipes and baking inspiration, be sure to connect with Roxana on her various platforms: you can find her on Facebook, discover visual delights on Pinterest, follow her updates on Google+, and, of course, explore her wonderful blog, Roxana’s Home Baking. Happy baking, everyone!