Easy Caramel Cookie Bars Recipe
Introduction
These Easy Caramel Cookie Bars are a perfect blend of buttery crust and sweet, gooey caramel. They’re simple to make and deliver a delicious treat that’s hard to resist. Ideal for sharing or enjoying as a special dessert at home.
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
- Step 1: Preheat the oven to 350°F and grease a 9×13 inch baking pan.
- Step 2: In a mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
- Step 3: Add the flour to the butter mixture and stir until combined. Press half of the dough evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan.
- Step 4: Bake the crust for 10-12 minutes until lightly golden and set.
- Step 5: While the crust is baking, melt the caramel candies with the heavy cream over low heat, stirring frequently until smooth.
- Step 6: Pour the melted caramel mixture over the baked crust. Crumble the remaining dough on top, then sprinkle with sea salt.
- Step 7: Bake for an additional 15 minutes or until the topping is golden brown. Let cool completely before cutting into bars.
Tips & Variations
- For an extra indulgent touch, add chopped nuts like pecans or walnuts to the caramel layer before baking.
- Use salted butter instead of unsalted for a richer flavor, but reduce the sea salt sprinkle on top accordingly.
- If you prefer, substitute the sea salt with flaky finishing salt for a more pronounced crunch and salty bite.
Storage
Store the caramel cookie bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, refrigerate them for up to one week. Reheat briefly in the microwave if you prefer a warm, gooey texture before serving.
How to Serve
Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I use caramel sauce instead of caramel candies?
Yes, you can substitute caramel candies with caramel sauce, but reduce the heavy cream to avoid a runny topping. Adjust the consistency so it’s thick enough to hold on the crust before baking.
What if I don’t have heavy cream?
If heavy cream is not available, you can use whole milk or evaporated milk as a substitute, though the caramel may be slightly less rich and creamy.
Print
Easy Caramel Cookie Bars Recipe
- Total Time: 42 minutes
- Yield: 16 bars 1x
Description
Delight in these easy-to-make caramel cookie bars featuring a buttery, tender crust topped with a rich, creamy caramel layer and a sprinkle of sea salt for the perfect balance of sweet and salty flavors.
Ingredients
For the Dough:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 0.75 cup granulated sugar
For the Topping:
- 1 package soft caramel candies, unwrapped individually
- 0.25 cup heavy cream
- 0.5 tsp sea salt (for sprinkling on top)
Instructions
- Preheat and prepare pan: 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, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar together until the mixture is light, fluffy, and well combined.
- Add flour and form dough: Gradually add the all-purpose flour to the butter-sugar mixture and stir until a cohesive dough forms. Press half of this dough evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking pan to form the crust.
- Bake crust: Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake the crust for 10 to 12 minutes, or until it turns lightly golden and is set to the touch.
- Melt caramel topping: While the crust is baking, combine the unwrapped caramel candies and heavy cream in a small saucepan over low heat. Stir continuously until the caramel melts completely and the mixture is smooth.
- Assemble bars: Remove the crust from the oven and carefully pour the melted caramel mixture evenly over it. Crumble the remaining half of the dough on top of the caramel layer, and sprinkle sea salt evenly over the top.
- Bake final bars: Return the pan to the oven and bake for an additional 15 minutes or until the topping is golden brown.
- Cool and serve: Allow the caramel cookie bars to cool completely in the pan before cutting into bars and serving.
Notes
- Make sure the butter is softened to room temperature for easier mixing and a smoother dough.
- For easier caramel melting, chop caramels into smaller pieces if desired.
- Sprinkling sea salt on top adds a nice balance to the sweetness; feel free to adjust amount according to taste.
- Store bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for extended freshness.
- Allow bars to cool fully before cutting to prevent caramel from oozing out.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 27 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: caramel cookie bars, easy dessert recipe, caramel bars, sweet and salty dessert, homemade cookie bars
