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Salted Caramel Chocolate Sugar Cookie Bars Recipe

★★★★★

4.6 from 61 reviews
  • Author: Gabriel
  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 16 bars 1x

Description

Indulge in the rich, decadent flavors of Salted Caramel Chocolate Sugar Cookie Bars. These bars combine the deep taste of dark cocoa with the classic sweetness of sugar cookies, enhanced by a luscious salted caramel frosting and a sprinkle of coarse sea salt for the perfect sweet and salty balance. Ideal for dessert lovers seeking a delightful twist on traditional cookie bars.

Ingredients

Scale

Cookie Bars

  • ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
  • ½ cup brown sugar
  • ½ cup granulated sugar
  • 1 large egg
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 2 Tablespoons caramel coffee creamer (or milk)
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • ½ cup dark cocoa powder
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon salt

Frosting and Garnish

  • 1 Batch Salted Caramel Frosting
  • Coarse ground sea salt for garnish

Instructions

  1. Prepare Your Workspace: Gather all the ingredients and tools you will need, and preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Spray a 9×13 baking pan with nonstick spray for even coverage to prevent sticking.
  2. Create the Base: In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter along with the brown sugar and granulated sugar until the mixture is light and creamy, which should take about 2 to 3 minutes.
  3. Add Wet Ingredients: Beat in the egg, vanilla extract, and caramel coffee creamer (or milk) until the mixture is fully combined and smooth.
  4. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, dark cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt until evenly distributed to ensure consistent flavor and texture.
  5. Combine Mixtures: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing gently until a soft dough forms. Be careful not to overmix to keep the bars tender.
  6. Shape and Bake: Press the cookie dough evenly into the prepared 9×13 pan, smoothing the surface for even baking. Place in the preheated oven and bake for 14 to 15 minutes, monitoring closely to avoid overbaking as you want the bars soft but set.
  7. Cool and Frost: Remove the pan from the oven and let the bars cool completely in the pan to allow them to firm up. Once cooled, spread a generous layer of salted caramel frosting over the top and sprinkle with coarse ground sea salt for an extra burst of flavor.

Notes

  • Ensure the butter is properly softened to make beating easier and to achieve the right texture.
  • Do not overbake the bars; they should be just set to maintain softness.
  • Using caramel coffee creamer adds extra flavor, but milk can be substituted if unavailable.
  • Coarse sea salt garnish enhances the salted caramel flavor contrast.
  • The salted caramel frosting recipe is assumed to be prepared separately; ensure it is chilled enough to spread easily.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Category: Desserts
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Keywords: salted caramel, chocolate sugar cookie bars, dessert bars, chocolate cookie bars, salted caramel frosting, sweet and salty dessert

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Find it online: https://gabriellangdon.com/salted-caramel-chocolate-sugar-cookie-bars-recipe/