Caramel Chocolate Cookie Bars Recipes

COOKIE AND CARAMEL CHOCOLATE BARS

Steps:

• Position an oven rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 325 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment.
• Whisk the flour, baking powder and salt in a medium bowl. Beat together the butter and sugar with an electric mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy, 5 to 7 minutes. Add the egg and beat to combine. Slowly add the flour mixture and beat on low until the dough is just combined. Transfer the dough to a floured work surface and press it into a rectangle. Wrap in plastic and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
• Roll the dough out on a lightly floured surface to about an 8-inch square that is 1/4-inch-thick. Cut the dough into quarters, then cut each quarter into 8 sticks using a straight edge or sharp knife. (Each cookie will be about 4 inches long and 1/2 inch wide.) Use a skewer to make 3 holes on the top of each cookie about 1 inch apart. Transfer the cookies to the prepared baking sheet.
• Bake, rotating the pan from front to back halfway through, until golden, 25 to 28 minutes. Allow to cool completely on the baking sheet, then transfer the cookies to a wire rack.
• Meanwhile, combine the chocolate and canola oil in a small microwave-safe bowl and melt in the microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring after each. With a butter knife or offset spatula, spread the chocolate on the bottom of each cookie and set them chocolate-side up on a rack. Refrigerate until hardened, about 20 minutes. Turn the cookies over.
• Combine the caramels and heavy cream in a medium microwave-safe bowl and melt in the microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring after each interval, about 2 minutes. Let cool until the mixture registers 100 degrees F on an instant-read thermometer, then transfer to a piping bag. Cut the tip of the bag and pipe a strip of caramel on the uncoated top of each cookie. (If the caramel strips look messy, use your hand to mold and straighten the lines -- at this point, the caramel will be very malleable.) Return the cookies to the rack caramel-side up and refrigerate until hardened, about 20 minutes.
• Spoon the chocolate over each cookie or dip the caramel side so that it is completely covered with chocolate. After the cookies are completely coated, drizzle the chocolate with a spoon back and forth crosswise over each. Return to the wire rack until cooled and the chocolate hardens, about 2 hours. Store in an airtight container up to 5 days.

GOOEY CHOCOLATE CARAMEL BARS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°. In a large bowl, combine 2 cups flour, oats, brown sugar, baking soda and salt. Cut in butter until crumbly. Set half aside for topping. , Press the remaining crumb mixture into a greased 13x9-in. baking pan. Bake for 15 minutes. Sprinkle with the chocolate chips and pecans. , Whisk caramel topping and remaining flour until smooth; drizzle over top. Sprinkle with the reserved crumb mixture. Bake for 18-20 minutes or until golden brown. Cool on a wire rack for 2 hours before cutting.

CHOCOLATE-CARAMEL COOKIE BARS

Steps:

• Crust: Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a 9-inch square baking pan with parchment, leaving an overhang on all sides; butter parchment, excluding overhang. Beat butter and brown sugar on medium speed until pale and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Add flour and table salt, and beat until just combined.
• Press dough evenly into pan, and bake until lightly browned, about 30 minutes.
• Chocolate Caramel: Place chocolate in a medium bowl. Heat granulated sugar and water in a small saucepan over medium-high heat, washing sides of pan with a wet pastry brush to prevent sugar crystals from forming, until amber, 10 to 12 minutes. Remove from heat. Add butter, cream, and table salt. Bring to a boil, stirring until smooth. Pour over chocolate. Let stand for 2 minutes. Stir to combine, and let stand until cool, about 10 minutes.
• Pour mixture over crust. Refrigerate at least 4 hours, or overnight. Run a knife around edges; lift parchment to remove whole bar from pan. Sprinkle with sea salt. Trim edges, and cut into 16 bars. Bars can be refrigerated for up to 3 days.