Description

These Easy Caramel Cookie Bars combine a buttery shortbread crust with a smooth, creamy caramel topping, finished with a sprinkle of sea salt for a perfect balance of sweet and salty. Perfect as a decadent treat or dessert for any occasion, this recipe is simple to make and yields rich, delicious bars that everyone will love.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Crust

2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup unsalted butter (softened)
0.75 cup granulated sugar

For the Caramel Topping

1 package soft caramel candies (unwrap individually)
0.25 cup heavy cream

For Garnish

0.5 tsp sea salt (for sprinkling on top)

Instructions

Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13 inch baking pan thoroughly to prevent sticking.
Make the Dough: In a mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar using a hand mixer or stand mixer until the mixture is light and fluffy, which usually takes about 2-3 minutes.
Add Flour: Gradually add the all-purpose flour to the creamed butter and sugar mixture. Stir until all ingredients are combined forming a dough.
Press the Dough: Press half of the dough evenly into the bottom of the greased baking pan, creating the cookie crust layer.
Bake the 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 the Caramel: While the crust is baking, melt the soft caramel candies together with the heavy cream over low heat in a saucepan, stirring continuously until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
Assemble Layers: Pour the melted caramel mixture over the baked crust evenly. Crumble the remaining half of the dough on top of the caramel layer, then sprinkle with sea salt to add a flavorful finish.
Final Bake: 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: Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan before cutting into squares to ensure clean, neat bars.

Notes

Soft caramel candies are preferable as they melt smoothly; avoid using hard or chewy caramels that may not melt evenly.
Allow bars to cool completely before cutting to prevent the caramel from oozing out.
For a nuttier flavor, consider adding chopped nuts like pecans or walnuts to the topping before baking.
Store bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days or refrigerate for longer freshness.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 27 minutes
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Keywords: caramel cookie bars, easy dessert bars, caramel shortbread, salted caramel bars, caramel treats