Easy Caramel Cookie Bars Recipe

Introduction

These easy caramel cookie bars combine a tender buttery crust with a luscious caramel layer for a perfect sweet treat. Simple to make and irresistibly delicious, they’re great 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, individually unwrapped
• 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 butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
3. Step 3: Add the flour to the butter mixture and stir until combined; then press half of the dough evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan.
4. Step 4: Bake the crust for 10-12 minutes until lightly golden and set.
5. Step 5: While the crust is baking, melt the caramels with the heavy cream over low heat, stirring until smooth.
6. Step 6: Pour the caramel mixture evenly over the baked crust. Crumble the remaining dough over the caramel layer and sprinkle with sea salt.
7. Step 7: Bake for an additional 15 minutes or until the topping is golden brown. Let cool completely before cutting into bars.

Tips & Variations

• Use salted butter instead of unsalted for a slightly different flavor balance.
• For a nuttier twist, sprinkle chopped pecans or walnuts on top before baking the second time.
• If you prefer a richer caramel, add a pinch of vanilla extract to the melted caramel mixture.

Storage

Store 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 a week. To enjoy warm, reheat individual bars in the microwave for about 10-15 seconds.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use caramel sauce instead of caramel candies?

While caramel sauce can be used, melting the candies with cream helps create a thicker, more stable layer that holds up well in the bars.

Can these bars be made gluten-free?

Yes, substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend suitable for baking. Keep in mind the texture may vary slightly depending on the blend used.

Easy Caramel Cookie Bars Recipe

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★★★★★

5 from 92 reviews

These Easy Caramel Cookie Bars combine a buttery, tender cookie base with a luscious melted caramel layer, topped with a golden crumbly dough and a sprinkle of sea salt for the perfect balance of sweet and salty. Perfect as a dessert or a special treat to share, these bars are straightforward to make with simple ingredients and bake in under 30 minutes.

• Author: Clara
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 27 minutes
• Total Time: 42 minutes
• Yield: 16 bars 1x
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

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Main Ingredients

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

Instructions

1. Preheat and prepare pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13 inch baking pan thoroughly to prevent sticking and set aside.
2. Cream butter and sugar: In a mixing bowl, beat the softened butter together with the granulated sugar until the mixture is light, fluffy, and pale in color, which usually takes about 3-4 minutes with an electric mixer.
3. Make the dough base: Gradually add the all-purpose flour to the butter and sugar mixture, stirring until just combined. Take half of this dough mixture and press it evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking pan to create the base crust.
4. Bake the crust: Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake the crust for 10-12 minutes, or until it becomes lightly golden and set. Remove from oven and set aside.
5. Melt the caramel topping: While the crust bakes, gently melt the individually unwrapped soft caramel candies with the heavy cream in a saucepan over low heat. Stir continuously until the caramel mixture is smooth and fully combined. Remove from heat immediately once melted.
6. Assemble the bars: Pour the smooth caramel mixture evenly over the baked crust. Then crumble the remaining half of the cookie dough evenly over the caramel layer. Finally, sprinkle the sea salt evenly across the top to enhance the flavors.
7. Bake the assembled bars: Return the pan to the oven and bake for an additional 15 minutes, or until the topping turns golden brown and is set.
8. Cool and serve: Remove the bars from the oven and allow them to cool completely in the pan. Once cooled, cut into squares or bars and serve.

Notes

• For easier removal, line the baking pan with parchment paper before greasing.
• Be careful not to overbake the crust to maintain a tender texture.
• If caramel mixture thickens too much while melting, add a teaspoon of heavy cream to loosen it.
• Store bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or refrigerate for longer freshness.
• For extra flavor, consider sprinkling a pinch of flaky sea salt on top just before serving.

Keywords: caramel cookie bars, caramel dessert, easy baking, sweet bars, homemade caramel bars, dessert bars