Description
There’s something truly magical about the combination of chocolate, peanut butter, and caramel. It’s the kind of treat that takes you straight back to childhood—gooey, sweet, and utterly comforting. These Chocolate Chip Cookie and Caramel Peanut Butter Bars bring together the best of all dessert worlds: a chewy cookie base, rich caramel filling, and a nutty peanut butter swirl.
Imagine biting into a warm, buttery bar where melted chocolate chips meet silky caramel and peanut butter. Each bite is a perfect harmony of textures and flavors—chewy, slightly crisp at the edges, and decadently gooey in the middle. Whether you’re making these for a weekend treat, a bake sale, or a cozy night in, they’re guaranteed to disappear fast!
These bars are also perfect for sharing, but no one would blame you if you kept a secret stash just for yourself.
Ingredients
For the Cookie Base:
- 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- ¾ cup brown sugar, packed
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
For the Caramel Peanut Butter Filling:
- 1 cup caramel candies, unwrapped
- 2 tablespoons heavy cream
- ½ cup peanut butter
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking pan or line it with parchment paper for easy removal.
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. This helps distribute the leavening agent evenly, so your bars bake up light and chewy.
In a separate large mixing bowl, beat the butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy. This step is crucial—it helps incorporate air into the dough, making the bars perfectly soft. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition, then mix in the vanilla extract.
Slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, stirring until just combined. Fold in the chocolate chips, ensuring they are evenly distributed throughout the dough.
In a microwave-safe bowl, combine the caramel candies and heavy cream. Microwave in 20-second intervals, stirring in between, until smooth and fully melted. Once melted, stir in the peanut butter until well combined. This creates a luscious, creamy filling that adds an irresistible gooey layer to the bars.
Press half of the cookie dough into the bottom of the prepared baking pan. This will form the base of your bars. Spread the caramel peanut butter mixture evenly over the dough, making sure it reaches the edges.
Take the remaining cookie dough and drop spoonfuls over the caramel layer. Don’t worry about covering it completely—some caramel peeking through adds to the visual appeal!
Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and set. The center should still be slightly soft—it will firm up as it cools.
Remove from the oven and let the bars cool completely before cutting. This helps the caramel set, making it easier to slice into neat squares. But if you love a gooey, melty bite, go ahead and sneak one while they’re warm!
Notes
- You can use homemade caramel sauce instead of store-bought caramel candies if you prefer a more natural option.
- Store-bought peanut butter works best for this recipe, as natural peanut butter can sometimes be too runny.
- Let the bars cool completely before cutting to avoid a messy caramel oozing out.