As I took my first bite of these Easy Caramel Cookie Bars, a wave of nostalgia washed over me—reminding me of cozy afternoons spent baking in my grandmother’s kitchen. The blend of soft, chewy cookie paired with rich, gooey caramel creates a dessert that’s not just a treat, but a comforting hug for the soul. Perfectly simple to whip up, whether you’re an experienced home-chef or just starting your baking journey, these bars are guaranteed to be a hit at any gathering. They’re also a fabulous solution for those nights when you crave comfort food without the fuss! Curious to see how this delightful recipe comes together? Let’s dive into the sweet world of caramel cookie bars! Why Are These Cookie Bars Irresistible? Irresistible Taste: The combination of chewy cookie and gooey caramel offers a delightful burst of flavor in every bite, making them a standout dessert. Quick and Easy: With minimal prep and cook time, you’ll have these decadent bars ready in no time—perfect for those spontaneous baking cravings! Crowd-Pleasing: Ideal for bake sales or family gatherings, these bars will be the first to disappear. Everyone loves a sweet treat! Customizable: Feel free to experiment by adding chocolate chips or nuts to fit your taste preference. You can even swap caramel for chocolate for a different twist! Nostalgic Comfort: These bars invoke warm memories and the joy of home baking, reminiscent of time spent with loved ones. Dive into these delicious treats and share the happiness with others—just like these Turkey Sugar Cookies you may also love! Caramel Cookie Bars Ingredients For the Cookie Base All-Purpose Flour – Provides the essential structure for the cookie bars; you can use gluten-free flour for a friendly alternative. Unsalted Butter – This rich ingredient binds the dough beautifully; opt for slightly salted butter for an enhanced flavor profile. Granulated Sugar – Sweetens the cookie dough and adds to that delightful chewy texture; using brown sugar gives a lovely caramel-like taste. For the Gooey Filling Soft Caramel Candies – The star of your caramel cookie bars, ensuring a luscious, gooey layer; unwrap them individually for easy melting, or try soft fudge as a substitute. Heavy Cream – Combines with the caramels for that smooth, irresistible filling; you can use half-and-half in a pinch if needed. For the Topping Sea Salt – Adds a delicious flavor contrast when sprinkled on top; feel free to adjust the amount to match your preference. This carefully curated list ensures you have everything you need to create the ultimate caramel cookie bars that are perfect for sharing—or keeping all to yourself! Step‑by‑Step Instructions for Caramel Cookie Bars Step 1: Preheat and Prepare Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) and greasing a 9×13 inch baking pan. This will ensure your Easy Caramel Cookie Bars don’t stick to the pan, allowing for easy removal once they’re baked. Use a bit of non-stick spray or parchment paper to line the bottom for added convenience. Step 2: Creaming the Butter and Sugar In a large mixing bowl, combine your softened unsalted butter and granulated sugar. Using an electric mixer, cream them together on medium speed until the mixture becomes light and fluffy, typically about 2–3 minutes. This step is crucial as it incorporates air into the mixture, leading to a lovely texture in your caramel cookie bars. Step 3: Mixing in the Flour Gradually add the all-purpose flour to the creamed butter and sugar mixture. Stir gently with a spatula until just combined; be careful not to overmix, as this may result in dense bars. You’ll know it’s ready when no visible flour remains, and the dough begins to come together in a soft ball. Step 4: Forming the Bottom Crust Take half of the dough and press it firmly into the bottom of your greased baking pan. Use your fingers or the back of a measuring cup to create an even layer. This serves as the base for your Easy Caramel Cookie Bars, so make sure it’s packed well and reaches all edges of the pan. Step 5: Baking the Crust Place the pan in your preheated oven and bake for 10–12 minutes, or until the crust is lightly golden and set. Keep an eye on it; the edges should be slightly firm but still soft to the touch. This initial baking ensures a great foundation for the luscious caramel filling. Step 6: Melting the Caramel While the crust is in the oven, take a saucepan and combine the soft caramel candies and heavy cream over low heat. Stir gently as the caramels melt, ensuring a smooth and creamy consistency without any lumps. This will create the gooey layer that makes your caramel cookie bars irresistible. Step 7: Adding the Caramel Filling Once melted, carefully pour the smooth caramel mixture over the baked crust. Use a spatula to spread it evenly across the surface, ensuring every bite will have that delightful gooeyness. Let it sit for a moment while you prepare the topping to maintain that perfect texture. Step 8: Crumbling the Dough Topping Take the remaining dough and crumble it over the caramel layer, distributing it as evenly as possible. Sprinkle that crumbled dough gently; it doesn’t need to cover every inch completely, as some caramel will peek through during baking. This will create a beautiful texture contrast in your caramel cookie bars. Step 9: Final Bake Return the pan to the oven and bake for an additional 15 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown. The bars should look deliciously inviting and fragrant by now. Check for a light browning on top while ensuring the center remains slightly soft to retain that chewy caramel filling. Step 10: Cooling and Cutting After baking, remove the caramel cookie bars from the oven and let them cool completely in the pan. This is essential, as cooling helps the filling set, making them easier to cut into neat squares. Once cool, slice them into bars and enjoy the delightful combination of flavors and textures! Make Ahead Options These Caramel Cookie Bars are perfect for busy home cooks who love a sweet treat without the last-minute rush! You can prepare the cookie dough up to 24 hours in advance—simply make the dough and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. The caramel filling can also be made ahead and stored in a separate container, ready to be poured over the crust when you’re ready to bake. When it’s time to finish your bars, simply press the chilled dough into the pan, heat the caramel, and bake. This way, you’ll enjoy fresh, gooey bars in no time—just as delicious as if you made them from scratch that day! How to Store and Freeze Caramel Cookie Bars Room Temperature: Store the caramel cookie bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, ensuring they remain soft and chewy. Fridge: If you prefer a slightly chilled treat, keep the bars in the fridge for up to a week. Just allow them to come to room temperature before serving for optimal taste. Freezer: To freeze, wrap the bars individually in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer-safe bag. They can be stored for up to 2 months and enjoyed later for a quick indulgence. Reheating: When you’re ready to enjoy, simply thaw at room temperature or heat in the microwave for about 10-15 seconds to soften the caramel filling before digging in! Caramel Cookie Bars Variations & Substitutions Feel free to get creative with these delightful caramel cookie bars and customize them to suit your taste preferences! Gluten-Free: Use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend in place of all-purpose flour for a friendly option. Dairy-Free: Substitute coconut oil for butter and almond or coconut milk for heavy cream for a delicious dairy-free treat. Nutty Twist: Add chopped pecans or walnuts to the dough for a satisfying crunch and extra flavor. Chocolate Lovers: Swap half of the caramel for melted chocolate or mix in chocolate chips to create a deliciously decadent version. Maple Magic: Replace caramel with pure maple syrup for a uniquely flavored bar that’s wonderfully sweet. Spiced Up: Incorporate cinnamon or nutmeg into the dough for a warm, aromatic touch that enhances the cookie flavor. Salty Sweet: Drizzle melted chocolate over the cooled bars and sprinkle with sea salt to amplify that sweet-salty contrast. Extra Caramel: Double the caramel layer by using more candies or substituting with a thick caramel sauce for an even more indulgent experience. These variations will add a wonderful twist to your caramel cookie bars, similar to how I love adding personal touches to my family favorites like Rhubarb Custard Bars or experimenting with flavors in No-Bake Cookies. Let your imagination run wild and enjoy the sweet journey! Tips for the Best Caramel Cookie Bars Perfect Butter Temperature: Use softened butter, not melted, to ensure a light and fluffy batter that results in tender bars. Mix Gently: Overmixing the dough can lead to dense bars. Combine ingredients until just incorporated for the best texture. Watch the Baking Time: Keep an eye on the bars while baking to avoid overbaking, which can result in a harder texture. Aim for a golden brown top. Layering Caramel: Pour the melted caramel evenly over the crust for consistent gooeyness throughout your caramel cookie bars. Cool Completely: Allow the bars to cool completely before cutting to ensure cleaner slices and the perfect gooey filling. What to Serve with Easy Caramel Cookie Bars Indulging in these sweet delights opens up a world of complementary flavors and textures that enhance the experience of your dessert. Vanilla Ice Cream: Scoop a generous amount of creamy vanilla ice cream alongside warm bars for a delightful contrast of temperatures and flavors. Fresh Berries: Plump, juicy berries add a burst of freshness that balances the richness of the caramel, creating a refreshing bite. Espresso or Coffee: A rich, aromatic coffee pairs beautifully, enhancing the caramel’s sweetness while providing a perfect pick-me-up. Chocolate Sauce: Drizzling warm chocolate sauce on top transforms your bars into a chocolate lover’s dream and adds a decadent touch. Whipped Cream: Light and airy, freshly whipped cream adds a luxurious texture that contrasts wonderfully with the chewy bars. Mint Tea: Sipping on refreshing mint tea after enjoying these bars can cleanse the palate and leave a fresh finish to your dessert experience. Treat your guests to a well-rounded dessert experience by thoughtfully pairing these options with your Easy Caramel Cookie Bars! Caramel Cookie Bars Recipe FAQs How do I choose the best soft caramel candies? Absolutely! When selecting soft caramel candies, look for those that are individually wrapped and have a smooth texture without any dark spots or hard edges. Brands like Kraft or Werther’s Original are great options. Ensure they’re not too hard or overcooked, as this will affect the gooey texture of your bars. What’s the best way to store leftover caramel cookie bars? You can store your caramel cookie bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days to keep them soft and chewy. If you prefer a cooler treat, they can also be kept in the refrigerator for about a week. Just allow them to return to room temperature before enjoying for the best flavor! Can I freeze caramel cookie bars? Absolutely! To freeze your caramel cookie bars, wrap each bar in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer-safe zip-top bag. They will stay fresh in the freezer for up to 2 months. When you’re ready to enjoy them, simply thaw them at room temperature or pop them in the microwave for 10-15 seconds to warm the caramel slightly. What should I do if my cookie bars become too hard after baking? If you find that your cookie bars have turned out harder than expected, don’t worry! You can serve them with a side of milk or coffee, which can balance the sweetness and provide a delightful contrast. Alternatively, try heating them in the microwave for a few seconds to loosen up the caramel filling and restore a bit of gooey goodness. Are caramel cookie bars safe for kids and people with allergies? Yes, but it’s essential to check the ingredient labels for any allergens, especially if you’re preparing these for children. The recipe includes common allergens like gluten and dairy. If you need to make them gluten-free, opt for a gluten-free flour blend, and always ensure that any caramel used is free from nuts or other allergens if necessary. Can I make any substitutions to the ingredients? Very! If you lack certain ingredients, you can easily swap granulated sugar for brown sugar for a deeper flavor. Additionally, try using half-and-half instead of heavy cream for the caramel layer. If you’re looking for a chocolate twist, feel free to replace the caramel with chocolate chips or a chocolate sauce—deliciously indulgent! Caramel Cookie Bars: Your New Favorite Sweet Treat! Indulge in these Caramel Cookie Bars, a delightful blend of chewy cookie and rich caramel, perfect for satisfying your sweet cravings. Print Recipe Pin Recipe Prep Time 15 minutes minsCook Time 25 minutes minsCooling Time 30 minutes minsTotal Time 1 hour hr 10 minutes mins Servings: 12 barsCourse: DessertsCuisine: AmericanCalories: 250 Ingredients Equipment Method Nutrition Notes Ingredients 1x2x3x? For the Cookie Base2 cups All-Purpose Flour Gluten-free flour can be used.1 cup Unsalted Butter Can use slightly salted butter.3/4 cup Granulated Sugar Using brown sugar adds a caramel-like taste.For the Gooey Filling14 oz Soft Caramel Candies Unwrap individually for melting.1/2 cup Heavy Cream Half-and-half can be used if needed.For the Topping1/2 tsp Sea Salt Adjust to preference. Equipment 9x13-inch baking panMixing BowlElectric mixerSpatulaSaucepan Method Step-by-Step Instructions for Caramel Cookie BarsPreheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9x13 inch baking pan.In a large mixing bowl, cream together softened unsalted butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.Gradually add all-purpose flour to the creamed mixture, stirring gently until just combined.Press half of the dough into the bottom of the greased baking pan.Bake for 10–12 minutes, until the crust is lightly golden.In a saucepan, combine soft caramel candies and heavy cream over low heat until smooth.Pour the caramel mixture over the baked crust.Crumble the remaining dough over the caramel layer.Bake for an additional 15 minutes, until topping is golden brown.Let the bars cool completely in the pan before slicing. Nutrition Serving: 1barCalories: 250kcalCarbohydrates: 32gProtein: 2gFat: 12gSaturated Fat: 7gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 30mgSodium: 150mgPotassium: 80mgFiber: 1gSugar: 16gVitamin A: 250IUCalcium: 20mgIron: 1mg NotesFor best results, use softened butter, and avoid overmixing the dough. Allow bars to cool completely before cutting for clean slices. Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
