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In other words, I don’t know what the heck to call these.
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?!?
Fudge Brownie, Caramel, Popcorn + Oatmeal Cookie Crumble 7 Layer Bars
Ingredients
Brownie Layer
- 1/3 cup canola oil
- 4 tablespoons butter, melted
- 4 tablespoons cocoa powder
- 2 eggs
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 3/4 Flour
- 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 cup chocolate chips
Other Layers
- 3/4 cup shredded sweetened coconut
- 2 1/12 cups stove top popped popcorn
- 3/4 butterscotch chips
- 1 ounce can sweetened condensed milk, 14
Oatmeal Cookie
- 1 1/4 cup old fashioned oatmeal
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 light brown sugar
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 egg
- 2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3/4 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
Instructions
- To make the caramel. Whisk together heavy cream and vanilla in a small bowl. Set aside. Combine the sugar and water in a small saucepan over medium-high heat. Bring the mixture to a boil. Once it begins to boil watch closely and whisk until the mixture starts to smell like caramel and turn a golden color, and then to a light brown. This will take about 5-6 minutes. When you see that it has started to turn brown, slowly pour in the cream mixture, whisking constantly and quickly. The sugar will harden around the whisk, don’t worry, it will melt. Just keep whisking! Continue to heat over medium-high until mixture has thickened and is a light caramel color, about 5 minutes more (don't let it get too thick, it will thicken as it sits). Remove from the heat and set aside.
- Pre-heat oven to 350. Grease a 9x13 pyrex pan, or line with parchment paper.
- Mix canola oil and butter, add cocoa and stir until well blended. Beat the eggs with a mixer. Add sugar and vanilla, beat well. Add the chocolate mixture and beat to combine. Slowly add in the flour and salt. Stir in chocolate chips.
- Spread evenly in pan, it will make a thin layer. Bake at 350 degrees for about 5 to 8 minutes.
- While the brownies bake make the oatmeal cookie layer. In a medium size mixing bowl combine the oatmeal, flour, brown sugar, sugar, baking soda, salt, egg, canola oil and vanilla. Using a mixing spoon or a mixer, mix until a dough forms. The dough will be crumbly, just keep mixing until all the ingredients are combined. Stir in 1/2 cup to 3/4 cup chocolate chips (I used 3/4 cup, but we like it real chocolaty around here). Set aside.
- Once the brownies have cooked 5-8 minutes remove from the oven and carefully pour the caramel over the brownies. Go slow so the caramel does not seep into the brownies. Gently spread the caramel around with a spatula. Next sprinkle the coconut over the caramel and then add the popcorn layer. Sprinkle the butterscotch chips over the popcorn. Evenly drizzle 3/4 of the sweetened condensed milk all over the top. Sprinkle on the oatmeal cookie dough and then drizzle on the remaining sweetened condensed milk and if desired throw a few pieces of popcorn on top.
- Bake in the middle of the oven for 30 minutes or until the oatmeal cookie top is golden brown.
- Allow to cool completely before cutting into bars, at least 2 hours. I stuck mine in the freezer for an hour to make this go quicker. Hey, we really needed these bars!
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Did you make this recipe? Please rate & comment below.
You can’t. Just go make um!
Now what could I not love about this? Thanks for sharing!
Thanks Rayna!
Wow. My mind is blown.
That is all I can say.
Pinning! 🙂
Thank you so much, Abbie!
These look delish! If I wanted to make a whole batch of brownies using this recipe (I swear the last 10 times I’ve made brownies they’ve been disastrous) would I just double it?? Yes… I did read it as seven minutes in heaven haha good to know I’m not the only one with a mind which resides in the gutter!
Yup, just double the brownie recipe or use an 8×8 pan for a small batch. I LOVE this brownie recipe so I hope you do too!
Thanks Meg!
OMG, these look insanely good! You should’ve called them seven minutes in heaven bars, lol!
Haha, I should have! Thanks Leah!
Whaaaat. Those look absolutely sinful. Love. Tieghan, you’re so inventive!
Awe, thank you so much!! Glad you love this idea!
Totally in love that you added popcorn to these bars, why not! These are going to be a major winner in my house, thanks!
Thank you so much, Pamela!!
They look insanely good! I love love love popcorn. Even have a Popcorn Board. And 7 Layer Bars – just made cookies as 7 layer cookies last week! And caramel, and brownies, check and check. Sweetened cond milk is also a fave thing. These have it all! love!! Pinned!
Thank you so much, Averie! I kind of went crazy with these bars, but oh my gosh they turned out so good!! Thanks for pinning!
Oh my goodness. I love bars exactly like this, and really it’s ok if it doesn’t have a name I think.. It’s awesomeness speaks for itself. 🙂
Thank you so much, Maria!
You know how I feel about popcorn! Love this, Tieghan.
I do, I do! Thanks Cassie!
LOL, recipe name freeze happens to me all the time too! But I think you covered all your bases with this one. Now if only I had a plateful in front of me!
Thanks Steph! Wish I could send you a plate!
These look to die for! I love the combination of popcorn and brownies, and caramel must make them so much more amazing!
Thank you so much, Faith!
Oh yum! So many great flavors – love the popcorn addition!!!
Thanks so much, Robyn! The popcorn was a last minute add in that turned out so good!
Another interesting combo by Tieghan! They look so gooey and good. I’m sure my kids would love the popcorn layer. 🙂
Thank you so much, Melanie! Everyone loved every last layer of these bars around here! Hope you guys love them too!
my weekend requires these! love this one tieghan!
Thank you so much! Hope you love these as much as we do!
Am sitting here with my morning cuppa and…Im thinking, these bars have oatmeal in them (lets ignore the fact that it’s in cookie form) …these bars could be breakfast! Yes!
😉
These bars are just too decadent sounding and looking – GREAT job!
Hehe! Yeah, I think they could!! Thanks Shashi!