Description
Heavenly Caramel Cookie Bars are a delightful symphony of textures and flavors. Imagine a buttery, golden cookie base hugging a layer of luscious caramel, all topped with a sprinkle of chocolate and flaky sea salt. These bars are sure to become a new favorite.
Ingredients
Cookie Layers
2 cups (260g) all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons cornstarch
¾ teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon salt
¾ cup (168g) unsalted butter (room temperature)
½ cup (112g) light brown sugar (packed)
¼ cup (52g) sugar
1 large egg
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 ¼ cups (211g) semi-sweet chocolate chips
Caramel Layer
32 unwrapped Kraft caramel squares (see notes for Werther’s caramels)
8 tablespoons unsalted butter
Instructions
Make the cookie dough
Preheat oven to 350F and line a 9-inch baking pan with parchment paper.
Whisk together flour, cornstarch, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
In a mixer, cream butter, and sugars until light and fluffy.
Add egg and vanilla, mixing until combined.
Add dry ingredients, mixing until combined. Do not over mix.
Stir in chocolate chips until uniform.
Make the caramel and assemble
Melt caramels and butter in a small pot over medium-low heat, stirring constantly until smooth.
Let cool for 5 minutes.
Press 2/3 of the cookie dough into the pan.
Pour caramel over the dough.
Add remaining dough by dropping flattened bits over the caramel.
Bake for 20-22 minutes, until edges brown. Cool completely before cutting.
Store in an airtight container at room temperature. Best enjoyed within 4-5 days.
Notes
Measure Carefully: Use the scoop and level method when measuring flour to avoid adding too much, which can make the cookies dry.
Don’t Overbake: Keep a close eye on the bars during the last few minutes of baking to prevent overbaking. The edges should be golden brown.
Cool Completely: Allow the bars to cool completely before slicing to ensure the caramel sets properly.
Clean Cuts: Use a sharp knife to cut the bars for clean, neat slices.
Storage: Store any leftover bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25-30 minutes
- Category: Dessert