Description
Delicious and easy-to-make caramel cookie bars featuring a buttery crust topped with smooth caramel and a sprinkle of sea salt, perfect for a sweet treat or dessert.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Crust and Topping
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup unsalted butter (softened)
- 0.75 cup granulated sugar
For the Caramel Layer
- 1 package soft caramel candies (unwrap individually, approximately 14 ounces)
- 0.25 cup heavy cream
For Garnish
- 0.5 tsp sea salt (for sprinkling on top)
Instructions
- Preparation: Preheat your 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 together the softened butter and granulated sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes using an electric mixer.
- Make the Crust: Add the all-purpose flour to the butter-sugar mixture and stir with a spatula or spoon until fully combined into a dough. Press half of this dough evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking pan, forming the base layer.
- Bake the 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. Remove from oven.
- Melt Caramel: While the crust is baking, melt the unwrapped caramel candies with the heavy cream over low heat in a small saucepan. Stir constantly until the mixture is completely smooth and creamy.
- Assemble Layers: Pour the melted caramel mixture evenly over the baked crust in the pan. Crumble the remaining half of the dough over the caramel layer, creating a crumbly topping. Then sprinkle the sea salt evenly on top to add a salty contrast.
- Bake Again: Return the pan to the oven and bake for an additional 15 minutes or until the topping is golden brown and set.
- Cool and Serve: Remove the caramel cookie bars from oven and let cool completely in the pan at room temperature before cutting into bars for serving.
Notes
- Ensure the butter is softened to room temperature for easier mixing and better texture.
- Unwrapping the caramel candies individually helps them melt evenly and prevents clumping.
- Sprinkling sea salt on top balances the sweetness and enhances the caramel flavor.
- Cool bars completely before cutting to avoid messy slices.
- Store leftover bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for up to a week.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 27 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: caramel cookie bars, easy caramel bars, caramel dessert, caramel cookie recipe, caramel bars
