Easy Caramel Cookie Bars Recipe

Introduction

These Easy Caramel Cookie Bars combine a buttery, tender cookie base with a luscious caramel topping and a hint of sea salt. Perfectly sweet and the ideal treat for sharing or enjoying with a cup of coffee.

Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup unsalted butter (softened)
• 0.75 cup granulated sugar
• 1 package soft caramel candies (unwrap individually)
• 0.25 cup heavy cream
• 0.5 tsp sea salt (for sprinkling on top)

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat the oven to 350°F and grease a 9×13 inch baking pan.
2. Step 2: In a mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
3. Step 3: Add the all-purpose flour to the butter mixture and stir until fully combined. Press half of this dough evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking pan.
4. Step 4: Bake the crust for 10-12 minutes, until it is lightly golden and set.
5. Step 5: While the crust is baking, melt the caramel candies with the heavy cream over low heat, stirring frequently until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
6. Step 6: Remove the crust from the oven and pour the warm caramel mixture evenly over it. Crumble the remaining dough over the caramel layer and sprinkle with sea salt.
7. Step 7: Return the pan to the oven and bake for an additional 15 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown. Let the bars cool completely before cutting into squares.

Tips & Variations

• For extra flavor, try adding a teaspoon of vanilla extract to the dough before pressing it into the pan.
• Use flavored caramel candies, like sea salt caramel, for a deeper taste.
• To make it gluten-free, substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free baking mix.

Storage

Store the caramel cookie bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, keep them in the refrigerator for up to one week. Bring to room temperature before serving or warm gently in the microwave.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use store-bought caramel sauce instead of melting caramel candies?

Yes, you can substitute the melted caramel candies and heavy cream with about 1 cup of store-bought caramel sauce for convenience, though melting the candies gives a richer texture.

What is the best way to cut the bars without them sticking?

Allow the bars to cool completely and firm up before cutting. Using a sharp knife warmed under hot water and wiped dry can help create clean, neat slices.

Easy Caramel Cookie Bars Recipe

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★★★★★

4.8 from 78 reviews

• Author: Gabriel
• Total Time: 42 minutes
• Yield: 12–16 bars 1x

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Description

Delight in these Easy Caramel Cookie Bars, featuring a buttery cookie crust topped with a smooth, creamy caramel layer and a sprinkle of sea salt for the perfect sweet and salty balance. Simple to make and perfect for any occasion, these bars bake up golden and are sure to satisfy your dessert cravings.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Cookie Crust

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 0.75 cup granulated sugar

Caramel Topping

• 1 package soft caramel candies, unwrapped (about 14 ounces)
• 0.25 cup heavy cream

Finishing Touch

• 0.5 tsp sea salt for sprinkling on top

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Instructions

1. Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13 inch baking pan to ensure the cookie bars don’t stick.
2. Make the Cookie Base: In a mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy, which usually takes about 3-5 minutes using a hand or stand mixer.
3. Add Flour and Form Dough: Gradually add the all-purpose flour to the butter-sugar mixture and stir until fully combined into a dough. Press half of this dough evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking pan to form the base layer.
4. Bake the Crust: Bake this crust layer in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, or until it turns lightly golden and is set firmly. Remove from the oven and let it cool slightly.
5. Prepare Caramel Mixture: While the crust is baking, melt the soft caramel candies with the heavy cream in a saucepan over low heat. Stir continuously until the caramel melts completely and the mixture is smooth and creamy.
6. Assemble Layers: Pour the warm caramel mixture evenly over the baked cookie crust. Then crumble the remaining half of cookie dough over the caramel topping in small pieces.
7. Final Bake and Salt Topping: Sprinkle sea salt evenly over the top to enhance the flavor, and bake again for an additional 15 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and bubbly.
8. Cool and Serve: Allow the cookie bars to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack before cutting into squares. This ensures the caramel sets properly for clean slices.

Notes

• Ensure the caramel mixture is smooth and not overheated to prevent burning.
• Letting the bars cool completely before cutting helps the caramel layer firm up.
• For a more pronounced salted caramel flavor, sprinkle extra sea salt to taste.
• Use soft caramel candies for best melting results; avoid hard caramels.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 27 minutes
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Keywords: caramel cookie bars, caramel bars, easy dessert bars, salted caramel dessert, buttery cookie crust, homemade caramel bars