Easy Caramel Cookie Bars Recipe
These Easy Caramel Cookie Bars are a delightful treat featuring a buttery cookie crust topped with smooth caramel and a sprinkle of sea salt. Perfectly baked to golden perfection, these bars combine sweet and salty flavors, creating an irresistible dessert that’s simple to make for any occasion.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 27 minutes
- Total Time: 42 minutes
- Yield: 16 bars 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Cookie Dough
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup unsalted butter (softened)
- 0.75 cup granulated sugar
Caramel Topping
- 1 package soft caramel candies (approximately 14 ounces, unwrap individually)
- 0.25 cup heavy cream
- 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.
- Make the Cookie Dough: In a mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar using a hand mixer or stand mixer until the mixture becomes light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes.
- Add Flour: Gradually add the all-purpose flour to the creamed butter and sugar mixture. Stir with a spatula or mixer on low speed until just combined, ensuring not to overwork the dough.
- Form the Base Layer: Press about half of the dough evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking pan, ensuring there are no thin spots.
- Bake Crust: Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake the crust for 10 to 12 minutes, or until it is lightly golden and set. Remove from oven.
- Melt Caramel Mixture: While the crust is baking, melt the soft caramel candies together with the heavy cream over low heat in a small saucepan, stirring frequently until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
- Assemble Bars: Pour the warm caramel mixture evenly over the baked crust. Then, crumble the remaining dough over the top of the caramel layer to create a textured topping. Sprinkle the sea salt evenly over the top.
- Final Bake: 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 from oven and allow the cookie bars to cool completely in the pan before cutting into squares for serving.
Notes
- Make sure to unwrap the caramel candies before melting to ensure even melting.
- For easier removal, you can line the baking pan with parchment paper before pressing in the dough.
- Allow the bars to cool completely to ensure clean cuts and prevent caramel oozing.
- Store leftover bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
Keywords: caramel cookie bars, easy dessert, caramel dessert bars, homemade cookie bars, salted caramel bars, sweet and salty dessert
Find it online: https://tastewithamy.com/easy-caramel-cookie-bars-recipe/
