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Peanut Butter Caramel Cookie Bars 🍯🍪 Recipe

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★★★★★

4.8 from 56 reviews

Chewy peanut butter caramel cookie bars featuring layers of rich peanut butter and gooey caramel atop a soft cookie base. These bars are sweet, nutty, and perfect as a decadent treat or dessert.

Ingredients

Scale

Cookie Dough

  • 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 cup brown sugar
  • ½ cup granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • ½ tsp baking soda
  • ¼ tsp salt

Filling & Topping

  • 1 cup creamy peanut butter
  • 1 bag (11 oz) caramel bits or soft caramels, chopped
  • 2 tbsp heavy cream

Instructions

  1. Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper to prevent sticking and for easy removal.
  2. Cream Butter and Sugars: In a mixing bowl, beat the softened unsalted butter with brown sugar and granulated sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy, incorporating air for a tender texture.
  3. Add Eggs and Vanilla: Beat in the two large eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla extract until the mixture is well combined.
  4. Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually stir this dry mixture into the wet ingredients just until combined—avoid overmixing.
  5. Layer Cookie Dough: Spread half of the cookie dough evenly across the bottom of the prepared baking pan, creating a smooth, even layer.
  6. Melt Caramel: In a microwave-safe bowl or over low heat on the stovetop, melt the caramel bits together with the heavy cream until the mixture is smooth and pourable.
  7. Add Caramel and Peanut Butter: Drizzle the melted caramel evenly over the cookie dough layer. Dollop spoonfuls of creamy peanut butter over the caramel layer, then gently spread it to cover as much as possible without mixing the layers.
  8. Top with Remaining Dough: Crumble the remaining half of the cookie dough over the peanut butter layer evenly, forming a crumbly topping.
  9. Bake: Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the bars are set in the middle.
  10. Cool and Slice: Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan before lifting them out using the parchment paper. Slice into bars and serve.

Notes

  • Using parchment paper makes it easier to remove the bars from the pan and ensures clean slices.
  • The bars are best stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
  • For a chewier texture, slightly underbake and allow to cool completely.
  • You can substitute crunchy peanut butter if preferred for added texture.
  • If caramel bits are unavailable, soft caramels chopped finely and melted with cream work equally well.

Keywords: peanut butter, caramel, cookie bars, dessert, chewy bars, baked sweets, peanut butter bars

Find it online: https://www.sanacooks.com/peanut-butter-caramel-cookie-bars-recipe/