These Caramel-y Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars are a piece of heaven, to put it simply!
You know how Chocolate Chip Cookies are pretty much the best out there? Can I get an “Amen!” to that?
I’m never not in the mood for one or ten of the deliciously wicked things. They’re just a go-to, universally-loved treat…kind of like the pizza and pasta of desserts.
Well I’ve taken the best-loved cookie up about a zillion notches (if that’s even possible) and am serving it in bar form with gooey, warm, oozing caramel. It doesn’t get better than that, folks!
Don’t you just want to take a dive into this photo?
My siblings were my guinea pigs for this delightful recipe when I visited them about a month ago. These suckers were devoured as soon as they reached a barely un-scalding-to-mouth-temperature.
Not a crumb or residual drizzle of caramel remained in the pan. I think they must have licked the platter clean. :)So are you just itching to get the recipe? I’m not going to hold out on you, so here it is! There’s no added salt because you’ll use salted butter. Also, don’t shy away from these when you see peanut butter (unless you’re allergic), because it’s a subtle, yet wonderful addition to the flavor of the bars.
{CARAMEL-Y
CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIE BARS}
Adapted from HERE.
Caramel Filling
11 oz. bag caramels
14 oz. can sweetened condensed milk
4 Tbsp. butter
Cookie Dough
1 1/2 sticks butter (salted)
1 1/2 c. brown sugar
1/2 c. white sugar
1/2 c. creamy peanut butter
2 eggs, room temperature
1 Tbsp. vanilla
2 c. flour
1 c. old fashioned oats
2 1/2 tsp. baking powder
2 c. chocolate chips (or however much you’d like)
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a 9×13 inch pan with parchment paper. This is important as it will save you from taking a butter knife to your pan afterwards to scrape off hardened caramel.
Unwrap caramels and place in a small saucepan with butter and sweetened condensed milk. Cook over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until caramels have melted fully and the mixture is nice and smooth. Cream butter and sugars together in a large mixing bowl. Add peanut butter and continue mixing. Add eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each egg. Add in vanilla.
Combine flour, oats, and baking powder in a small bowl. Add the flour mixture and stir slowly until well combined. Stir in the chocolate chips. Spread (or press) 2/3 of the dough on the bottom of the pan. Slowly pour caramel mixture evenly over the dough. Drop portions of the remaining dough on top until gone. I grabbed a small portion at a time and flattened it out in my hand, then laid it on top of the caramel, piecing it together as best I could. Don’t worry if it’s not perfect. Bake for about 30 minutes. Let cool completely (if that’s even realistic to ask) and then cut into bars.
Crack Bars would also be an appropriate name for these. Serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an even more divine experience!You MUST make these soon! Seriously. They’re ridiculously, incredibly delectable!
Enjoy!
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Can’t get enough of caramel? Try these yummy Caramel Apple Cookies!
www.somethingsplendidblog.com
- Brooke -