Description
These Easy Caramel Cookie Bars combine a buttery cookie base with a luscious caramel layer, topped with a crumbly dough and a sprinkle of sea salt for the perfect balance of sweet and salty. Ideal for a simple dessert or snack, they bake quickly and deliver rich, chewy caramel goodness in every bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Cookie Base and Topping
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 0.75 cup granulated sugar
Creamy Caramel Layer
- 1 package soft caramel candies, unwrapped individually (about 11 ounces)
- 0.25 cup heavy cream
Topping
- 0.5 tsp sea salt, for sprinkling on top
Instructions
- Preparation Steps: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13 inch baking pan thoroughly to prevent sticking.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a mixing bowl, use a hand or stand mixer to cream the softened butter and granulated sugar together until the mixture is light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes. This creates a smooth base for the cookie dough.
- Add Flour and Form Dough: Gradually add the 2 cups of all-purpose flour to the butter-sugar mixture, stirring gently until fully combined. The dough will be crumbly but should hold together when pressed.
- Press Dough for Base: Take about half of the dough and press it evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking pan, forming an even layer that will bake into the cookie base.
- Bake the Crust: Place the pan in the oven and bake for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the crust turns lightly golden and is set. Remove from oven but keep the oven on for the next step.
- Melt the Caramel Layer: While the crust is baking, melt the unwrapped soft caramel candies with the heavy cream in a small saucepan over low heat. Stir consistently until the caramel is completely melted and smooth with no lumps.
- Build the Bars: Pour the warm caramel mixture evenly over the baked cookie crust. Then crumble the remaining half of the cookie dough over the caramel layer to create a crumbly topping.
- Add Sea Salt and Final Bake: Sprinkle the 0.5 teaspoon of sea salt evenly over the crumb topping. Return the pan to the oven and bake for an additional 15 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and caramel is bubbly.
- Cool and Serve: Remove the bars from the oven and allow them to cool completely in the pan. Once cooled, cut into bars and serve. The cooling step helps the caramel set for clean slicing.
Notes
- Make sure the butter is softened to room temperature for easier creaming with sugar.
- Using soft caramel candies is key for a smooth caramel layer; avoid hard caramels.
- The sea salt topping enhances the sweet caramel and creates a balanced flavor profile.
- Allow the bars to cool fully before cutting to prevent the caramel from oozing out.
- Store bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for up to one week.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 27 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: caramel bars, cookie bars, easy dessert, caramel cookie bars, baked bars, sweet snack
