I adore caramel. But can you believe there was a time when – *gasp* I thought I didn’t like it?
(I know, I was seriously deranged).
I was insistent on my hatred of caramel. I would only do hot fudge and would make a face at my dad who would promptly douse his sundae in caramel sauce. He would goad me into trying it and I’d wrinkle my nose as if he were offering me pickled pigs feet to pair with my rocky road.
But then something in me clicked and I tried it one day. And lo and behold, I’m a completely convert. In fact, now I overlook the hot fudge and always go straight to the heart of the good stuff – caramel, caramel, caramel.
Is there anything this golden, sweet, buttery syrup can’t do? (Well, actually, yeah. It can’t get me a tax return. It can’t buy me flowers on a bad day. And it certainly can’t pay my car payment.) … but hopefully it can convince you guys to make these bars, because they are SO unbelievably tasty and rich.
The secret to these guys? Dulce de leche. Trust me on this one – it’s a doozy.
Dulce de leche is different than caramel in that it’s primarily milk based – specifically using sweetened condensed milk for a richer, thicker, creamier flavor and consistency than your standard sugar-based caramel sauce. And did I mention how amazing it is? For realsies, it’s the best, and it’s the reason these bars are oh-so magical.
Because how can you say no to this?
Dulce de Leche Chocolate Gooey Bars
Ingredients
- 1 box chocolate cake mix
- 1 egg
- ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter melted
- 1 cup Rolos unwrapped and cut in half
- 1 (14 oz) can sweetened condensed milk
- 1 (7-8 oz) can/jar dulce de leche (I LOVE & highly recommend Trader Joe's version)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line an 8x8" baking pan with foil, extending the sides of the foil over the edges of the pan. Mist the foil liberally with cooking spray and set aside.
- In a large bowl, combine the cake mix, egg and melted butter with a spatula until a thick but soft dough forms. Press 3/4 of the dough into the bottom of the pan in an even layer. Top with the chopped Rolo candies evenly.
- In a small bowl, mix together the sweetened condensed milk and HALF of the can of dulce de leche until combined. Pour the mixture evenly over the top of the Rolo candies. You may not use all of it; that's okay. Crumble the remaining dough on top of the bars, covering it as much as possible.
- Bake for approx. 30-35 minutes or until the edges of the bars are set and golden and the middle is just about set. It may be slightly jiggly still, and that's okay; you don't want to over-bake it as it will continue to set up as it cools. Cool completely.
- Before cutting into squares, drizzle with remaining dulce de leche. Serve immediately or store leftovers airtight at room temperature for up to 3 days. *NOTE: I recommend letting the bars set overnight so they're more solid when you cut into them. This helps them from completely falling apart.*
Rich, buttery, and jam-packed with caramel, these ooey gooey treats will be your new favorite in no time! And if you’ve never tried dulce de leche, be prepared to convert to the creamy side of caramel.
xo, Hayley
[email protected] says
These look so ooey gooey Yummy!
thedomesticrebel says
Thank you, Tori! They certainly are gooey! 🙂
Erin @ Miss Scrambled Egg says
The pictures speak for themselves; these are a total win. The rich flavor of chocolate pairs perfectly with the sweetness of carmel. I need about five trays of these in my life. 😀
thedomesticrebel says
You and me both, Erin – I’m so sad they’re gone, ha!
Laura @ Laura's Culinary Adventures says
Whoa! So decadent! I’m drooling!
thedomesticrebel says
Thanks Laura!
Kelsey @ Snacking Squirrel says
You’re killing me with this! THIS IS MY FAVORITE OF THE DAY! hands down ive never seen something quite as sweet for the eyes. man you’re good at what you do.
thedomesticrebel says
Awh, thank you very much, Kelsey! That’s so very sweet of you 🙂
Michelle { A Latte Food } says
Dulce de leche might be one of the best things on this earth. I tried a dulce de leche cupcake once and haven’t looked back since. But on brownies? You’re killing me here with this! These look out of control amazing!
thedomesticrebel says
Thanks so much, Michelle! Dulce de leche is definitely my new favorite thing on this earth!
Meagan @ A Zesty Bite says
I love everything about these BARS! This is getting added to my MUST MAKE SOON list.
thedomesticrebel says
Meagan – be sure to invite me over and I’ll help you polish off the pan 🙂 Thanks girlfriend!
Jenny (vintagesugarcube) says
Holy Tamale those bars are up my alley. I’ve never baked with those rolos and I can’t wait to now.
thedomesticrebel says
Jenny, baking with Rolos is a must! Enjoy, and thanks for stopping by! xoxo!
Ashley @ Wishes and Dishes says
Caramel is my weakness. I wanna resist making these but I know I won’t be able to!
thedomesticrebel says
Ha! They are pretty irresistible. Thanks Ashley!
Julianne @ Beyond Frosting says
I need a giant bite of these bars!
thedomesticrebel says
You and me both! xoxo!
Jennie @themessybakerblog says
My chocolate loving brownie hole NEEDS this recipe. Pinned.
thedomesticrebel says
I love your chocolate brownie loving hole. Thanks Jennie!
Jenny Flake says
Chocolate lover’s perfection!! I need!!
thedomesticrebel says
It sure is, Jenny! Thank you 🙂 xo!
Nicole says
Oh La La! I just bought a jar of that dulce de leche. Now it is calling my name form the pantry!
thedomesticrebel says
Nicole – lucky duck! Enjoy! xoxo.
Sandra says
These are amazing! I can’t wait to make these. You are amazing!
thedomesticrebel says
Correction: YOU are amazing! Thanks Sandra 🙂
Zainab says
First of all, I need these in my life!! And secondly, I must try the trader joe’s dulce de leche.
thedomesticrebel says
Zainab – yes you must! <3 It's AMAZING!
Liz says
I hate to admit how fast I’d inhale one of these bars! They have everything I adore in a dessert!
Ashley | The Recipe Rebel says
I cannot believe you didn’t like caramel. I don’t think there’s a time in my life when someone tried to feed me a dessert and I resisted! Lol. Except maybe carrot cake when I was younger, because, carrots. But even now with a slather of cream cheese frosting I’m good to go! Lol. These look out of this world good!
thedomesticrebel says
Haha, you’re right Ashley! I totally don’t know why I didn’t like it or why I pretended not to like it. I was clearly a disturbed child, 😛
Renee @ Tortillas and Honey says
Didn’t even know that TJ’s had dulce de leche! That’s going on my shopping list! This recipe looks so incredibly fudgy and gooey, I can’t get over it!
thedomesticrebel says
Renee, it’s brand new and it’s AWESOME! Thanks so much 🙂
Alice @ Hip Foodie Mom says
oh my gawd, woman!!! These are insane!!!! LOVE!!!!!!!
thedomesticrebel says
I know, right?! Thanks Alice!
Kayle (The Cooking Actress) says
ME TOO! I was all “nah, caramel.” but I hadn’t had GOOD caramel and now I’m obsessssed so these gooey bars are reeeeally speaking to me! Plus…chocolate. You know how I am about chocolate.
thedomesticrebel says
Oh honey, I KNOW how you are about chocolate 🙂 That’s exactly how I feel about caramel. I want to caramel ALL THE THINGS.
NeeserMom says
I am looking forward to making these, but Why 8 hours?
thedomesticrebel says
Hi there! The bars need adequate time to set up – if you were to immediately cut into them, they’d be a gooey, gloppy mess. I recommend letting them sit overnight at room temperature, or you can expedite the process by refrigerating them for a couple hours.
Shanks says
What is the time frame in the oven when using a glassware pan ? So excited to try these!
thedomesticrebel says
Hi Shanks, unfortunately I am not 100% positive as I do not bake or recommend baking with glass pans. I would check at the time listed in the instructions and maybe increase in 3-5 minute increments until finished.