Cave Cookie Bars
Indulge in the ultimate sweet treat with these irresistibly decadent Cave Cookie Bars, featuring layers of gooey caramel, rich chocolate, and buttery cookie dough. Perfectly marrying soft, chewy textures with a hint of crunch from chopped nuts, these bars are crowned with a drizzle of sea salt for the perfect salty-sweet balance. Made with pantry staples like brown sugar, semi-sweet chocolate chips, and a touch of sweetened condensed milk, this easy-to-make dessert comes together in just 15 minutes of prep time. Ideal for bake sales, potlucks, or simply satisfying your sweet tooth, these customizable cookie bars are sure to become a family favorite. Whether served warm from the oven or chilled for an extra-firm bite, they’re sure to disappear in record time!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 1.5 cups all-purpose flour
- 0.5 teaspoons baking soda
- 0.5 teaspoons salt
- 0.75 cups unsalted butter
- 0.75 cups brown sugar
- 0.5 cups granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 unit large eggs
- 1.5 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 0.75 cups chopped nuts (e.g., walnuts or pecans)
- 0.5 cups caramel bits or soft caramel candies
- 0.25 cups sweetened condensed milk
- 0.5 teaspoons sea salt (optional, for topping)
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9x9-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang for easy removal, or grease the pan well.
In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
In a large mixing bowl, beat the unsalted butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar together until creamy and well combined, about 2-3 minutes.
Add the vanilla extract and egg to the butter-sugar mixture. Mix until fully incorporated.
Gradually add the dry flour mixture to the wet ingredients. Mix until just combined. Do not overmix.
Fold in 1 cup of the semi-sweet chocolate chips and the chopped nuts into the cookie dough. Reserve 0.5 cups of chocolate chips for later.
Press 2/3 of the cookie dough mixture into the prepared pan, creating an even layer.
In a small saucepan over low heat, melt the caramel bits (or soft caramel candies) with the sweetened condensed milk. Stir frequently until smooth and well combined, about 2-3 minutes.
Pour the caramel mixture evenly over the pressed cookie dough in the pan.
Crumble the remaining cookie dough over the caramel layer, leaving some gaps so the caramel peeks through.
Sprinkle the remaining 0.5 cups of chocolate chips on top. If desired, lightly sprinkle sea salt over the bars for a salty-sweet flavor.
Bake in the preheated oven for 25-28 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and set. Do not overbake—the bars will continue to firm up as they cool.
Remove the pan from the oven and let the bars cool completely in the pan on a wire rack, about 1-2 hours.
Once cooled, use the parchment paper overhang to lift the bars out of the pan. Slice into 12 even squares or bars and serve.
Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days or in the refrigerator for longer freshness.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
462 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 24.5 g | 31% | |
| Saturated Fat | 12.6 g | 63% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 51 mg | 17% | |
| Sodium | 250 mg | 11% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 60.7 g | 22% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 2.3 g | 8% | |
| Total Sugars | 44.0 g | ||
| Protein | 5.4 g | 11% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.3 mcg | 1% | |
| Calcium | 45 mg | 3% | |
| Iron | 1.8 mg | 10% | |
| Potassium | 121 mg | 3% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
