Description
The ultimate indulgence for chocolate and caramel lovers. Featuring a soft, fudgy dark cocoa base flavored with a hint of caramel coffee creamer, these bars are finished with a thick layer of salted caramel frosting and coarse sea salt. A high-reward, press-in-pan dessert with minimal effort.
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour, 1/2 cup dark cocoa powder (Dutch-processed)
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter (softened), 1/2 cup brown sugar, 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 tbsp caramel coffee creamer (or milk), 1 large egg
- 2 tsp vanilla extract, 1 tsp baking powder, 1/2 tsp salt
- Topping: 1 batch Salted Caramel Frosting & coarse ground sea salt
Instructions
Prep: Preheat oven to 375°F. Spray a 9×13 pan with nonstick spray.
Cream: Beat softened butter and both sugars until light. Mix in egg, vanilla, and creamer.
Dry Ingredients: Whisk flour, cocoa, baking powder, and salt in a separate bowl. Gradually add to wet ingredients until a soft dough forms.
Bake: Press dough into the pan. Bake for 14–15 mins. Remove while still slightly soft; they firm up as they cool.
Finish: Cool completely. Spread with salted caramel frosting and sprinkle with coarse sea salt. Cut into 24 bars.
Notes
Dark Cocoa Power: Use Dutch-processed cocoa for that intense, Oreo-like flavor and color. Regular cocoa will produce a milder, lighter bar.
The Creamer Hack: Using caramel creamer instead of milk adds a subtle aromatic layer that bridges the gap between the cocoa base and the frosting.
Temperature Control: Ensure bars are stone cold before frosting. Any residual heat will melt the caramel frosting, compromising the layer separation.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dessert / Bars
- Method: Press-in-Pan Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 195
- Sugar: 18
- Sodium: 140
- Fat: 9
- Saturated Fat: 6
- Unsaturated Fat: 3
- Trans Fat: 0.3
- Carbohydrates: 28
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 2
- Cholesterol: 30
Keywords: chocolate sugar cookie bars, salted caramel dessert, dark chocolate caramel bars, easy cookie bars, caramel coffee creamer recipes