Caramel Cookie Bars

Sink your teeth into these irresistible Caramel Cookie Bars, a decadent dessert that perfectly blends buttery cookie dough, gooey caramel, and optional chocolatey goodness. With a soft, melt-in-your-mouth caramel layer sandwiched between a golden, crumbly crust and topping, these bars offer the ultimate sweet indulgence in every bite. This recipe comes together with simple pantry staples like light brown sugar, all-purpose flour, and vanilla, while unwrapped soft caramels and a touch of heavy cream create the luscious caramel center. Ready in just 40 minutes, including prep and bake time, these cookie bars are ideal for entertaining, gifting, or satisfying your sweet tooth. For extra indulgence, sprinkle in chocolate chips before baking and enjoy a delightful fusion of flavors and textures. Perfect for holidays, potlucks, or weekday treats, these Caramel Cookie Bars are sure to be a crowd-pleaser!

Nutriscore Rating: 31/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:25 mins

Total Time:40 mins

Servings: 16

Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup light brown sugar
• 1 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 0.5 teaspoons baking powder
• 0.5 teaspoons salt
• 12 ounces soft caramels, unwrapped
• 3 tablespoons heavy cream
• 0.5 cups chocolate chips (optional)

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease an 8x8-inch baking dish or line it with parchment paper for easier removal.

Step 2

In a medium-sized mixing bowl, combine the flour, light brown sugar, baking powder, and salt. Stir to mix well.

Step 3

Add the melted butter and vanilla extract to the dry ingredients. Mix until the mixture resembles a soft dough.

Step 4

Press two-thirds of the dough evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking dish to form the crust. Set the remaining dough aside for the topping.

Step 5

Bake the crust in the preheated oven for 10 minutes, then remove it and set it aside.

Step 6

While the crust is baking, prepare the caramel layer. In a microwave-safe bowl, combine the unwrapped soft caramels and the heavy cream. Microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring between each, until the mixture is completely melted and smooth.

Step 7

Pour the melted caramel evenly over the pre-baked crust, spreading it out with a spatula.

Step 8

Optionally, sprinkle the chocolate chips over the caramel layer for an extra chocolatey twist.

Step 9

Crumble the reserved cookie dough over the caramel layer, covering most of it but letting some caramel peek through.

Step 10

Return the baking dish to the oven and bake for an additional 15-18 minutes, or until the top is golden brown.

Step 11

Remove from the oven and let the bars cool completely in the baking dish. For easier cutting, you can chill them in the refrigerator for 1-2 hours.

Step 12

Once cooled, slice the caramel cookie bars into squares or rectangles and serve. Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature or in the fridge for up to 5 days.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1159.4g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	5474.2

Total Fat 281.9g	0%
Saturated Fat 170.1g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat g
Cholesterol 610.3mg	0%
Sodium 2006.6mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 706.6g	0%
Dietary Fiber 9.5g	0%
Total Sugars 465.4g
Protein 34.7g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 511.7mg	0%
Iron 14.6mg	0%
Potassium 1300.8mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 46.1%

Protein: 2.5%

Carbs: 51.4%