Crunch Bars

Delicious homemade chocolate crunch bars featuring a buttery cookie base topped with melted chocolate and an assortment of crunchy toppings. These bars combine the perfect balance of sweet and salty flavors with multiple textures.

24 servings
3 hr 4 min

Ingredients

  • 1 cup unsalted butter
  • ½ cup light brown sugar
  • ¼ cup sugar
  • ½ teaspoons fine sea salt
  • teaspoons vanilla extract
  • cups all-purpose flour
  • 6 ounces chocolate
  • cups assorted toppings
  • 1 pinch flaky sea salt

Cooking Instructions

  1. 1.

    Arrange a rack in middle of oven; preheat to 375°F. Line the bottom and sides of a 13x9x2" metal or glass baking dish with foil, allowing 2" overhang on either side; butter foil in dish.

    5 min

  2. 2.

    Using an electric mixer at medium speed, beat 1 cup butter in a large bowl until smooth, about 3 minutes. Add both sugars and salt; continue to beat until mixture is light and creamy, about 3 minutes longer. Beat in vanilla, then slowly mix in flour, beating until entirely incorporated (dough will be wet and sticky).

    7 min

  3. 3.

    Scrape dough into prepared dish. Using your fingertips, spread into a thin, even layer.

    3 min

  4. 4.

    Bake cookie base until it is golden brown and has begun to puff and crack, about 22 minutes. DO AHEAD: Base can be made 2 days ahead. Let cool completely and store airtight at room temperature.

    22 min

  5. 5.

    Preheat oven to 375°F. Scatter chopped chocolate evenly over cookie base and bake just until chocolate is soft and has begun to melt, about 2 minutes. Immediately spread chocolate in an even layer over base.

    2 min

  6. 6.

    Scatter toppings over warm chocolate; lightly but firmly press into chocolate. Sprinkle with salt. Let cool in dish on a wire rack for 15 minutes. Using foil overhang, lift cookie from dish. Place on rack; let cool until chocolate is set, about 2 hours.

    135 min

  7. 7.

    Carefully remove foil from cookie and slide onto a cutting board. Cut into bars. DO AHEAD: Crunch Bars can be made 5 days ahead. Store airtight at room temperature.

    10 min