Description
Easy Caramel Cookie Bars combine a soft, chewy cookie base with a rich, gooey caramel layer, creating a quick and indulgent dessert perfect for satisfying sweet cravings. Made with simple pantry staples, this recipe is perfect for last-minute treats, casual gatherings, or gifting.
Ingredients
Scale
Cookie Base
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Caramel Layer
- 1 can (14 ounces) sweetened condensed milk
- 1/2 cup caramel bits or chopped soft caramel candies
Instructions
- Prepare the Cookie Base: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×9 inch baking pan. In a mixing bowl, cream together the softened unsalted butter and brown sugar until fluffy. Mix in the vanilla extract. Gradually add the all-purpose flour, blending just until combined to keep the dough soft but cohesive.
- Press Into the Pan: Evenly press the cookie dough into the bottom of the prepared baking pan, forming a smooth and compact layer that will hold the caramel topping effectively.
- Pour the Caramel Layer: Pour the sweetened condensed milk evenly over the cookie base. Sprinkle caramel bits or chopped soft caramel candies on top to create gooey caramel pockets that will melt during baking.
- Bake the Bars: Bake in the preheated oven for approximately 25-30 minutes or until the edges turn golden and the caramel layer bubbles gently, ensuring a perfectly baked cookie bar with a luscious caramel center.
- Cool and Slice: Remove the pan from the oven and allow the bars to cool completely in the pan. This helps the caramel set and makes slicing into squares or rectangles easier without crumbling. Enjoy your caramel cookie bars!
Notes
- Use room temperature butter for smooth mixing and even baking.
- Do not overmix the dough to avoid tough cookie texture.
- Use fresh brown sugar and vanilla extract for enhanced flavors.
- Watch the baking time closely to prevent the caramel from burning.
- Let bars cool completely before slicing for neat, clean pieces.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 220 kcal
- Sugar: 18 g
- Sodium: 100 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 25 mg
Keywords: caramel cookie bars, easy caramel bars, caramel dessert, cookie bars recipe, quick dessert
