I have been racking my brain for over a week trying to come up a good name. A name that does these bars justice, and after a whole two-hour hike of brain scratching yesterday I came up with…. Notta. Zip, zap, zero, nothing. Although, I do think it made my brain hurt a little. Thinking about these bars and knowing they have been long gone for days was rough. No, actually it was more like torture. Yeah, they are that good. So finally, like thirty minutes ago I just kind of said screw it. I’ll make the name long as ever and just go with it. Let’s just start with the layers. The amazing, amazing layers. The seven layers are pure heaven. The seven layers that can fix all our problems for the next ah, let’s just say hour. You getting excited yet? Cause I sure the heck am.
Layer 1: Fudge Brownies Layer 2: Homemade Caramel Layer 3: Sweet Shredded Coconut Layer 4: POPCORN! Layer 5: Butterscotch and or Peanut Butter Chips Layer 6: Sweetened Condensed Milk Layer 7: Oatmeal Cookies
Ah huh, I told you seven layers of heaven. {Sidenote: Does anybody want to say “seven minutes in heaven” when you read that? Cause it is all I can think of!}
Alright so for the brownie layer I used my all time favorite, go to brownie recipe that I have developed over the years of constantly making brownies. As of right now this is the best brownie I have ever made or had. It’s so good and SO fudgey. And definitely the best “crust” a bar could ask for. The caramel is basically a simple fail proof caramel that I also use all time. Mostly because it works all the time… and because it tastes amazing all the time. This layer gets spread all over the top of the brownies. Oh man. That’s right there is pure awesomeness in these bars.
Oh but wait, then comes the coconut layer. You all know I LOVE coconut. But I have to say, the coconut layer in these bars is so, so subtle. If you are not a coconut person, please, please do not get scared off. You will still love these. Really, you will. Promise.
Next? POPCORN! Oh yes, I did go there and yes, it’s so awesome. I know that these bars look popcorn-less, but I promise it’s in there. A whole two and half cups. It’s so, go and add this, slightly chewy (not crunchy) texture. I love texture. Then you are going to sprinkle on some butterscotch chips or peanut butter chips or both, whatever you prefer. Ok, now the sweetened condensed milk. Which by the way I love. Up until these bars I had never baked with sweetened condensed milk. Boy was I missing out. This stuff is like liquid gold. Wow, it’s so good. It keeps everything moist and a sweet almost milk caramel-like gooey layer. It is awesome Finally, the oatmeal cookie layer. Which is just half of this cookie recipe. It finishes the bars off by giving the bars a nice chocolately crunch. Definitely one of my favorite layers.
But then again, they are all my favorite, because each layer makes the bars that much better. Remember, your only as good as your weakest layer. Good thing there are no weak layers to be found here! Oh and yeah, these do require a few ingredients since you will be making brownies, caramel and cookies all at once. But I promise they are all easy to throw together. Plus it is Friday. How can you resist making these bars?!?
You can’t. Just go make um!
