Description

These Salted Caramel Chocolate Sugar Cookie Bars are a decadent dessert combining rich cocoa with the sweet and salty notes of caramel frosting. Soft, chewy, and topped with a sprinkle of coarse sea salt, these bars are perfect for satisfying chocolate cravings with a luxurious twist.

Ingredients

Scale

Dry Ingredients

2 cups all-purpose flour
½ cup dark cocoa powder
1 teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon salt

Wet Ingredients

½ cup unsalted butter, softened
½ cup brown sugar
½ cup granulated sugar
1 large egg
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 Tablespoons caramel coffee creamer (or milk)

Topping

1 Batch Salted Caramel Frosting
Coarse ground sea salt for garnish

Instructions

Prepare Your Workspace: Gather all ingredients and equipment. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Spray a 9×13 inch pan with nonstick baking spray to ensure the bars do not stick during baking.
Create the Base: In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar together until the mixture is light and creamy, about 2 to 3 minutes.
Add Wet Ingredients: Add the egg, vanilla extract, and caramel coffee creamer to the butter and sugar mixture. Beat well until fully combined and smooth.
Mix Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, dark cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt until evenly combined and no lumps remain.
Combine Mixtures: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing gently until a soft cookie dough forms. Avoid overmixing to keep the bars soft.
Shape and Bake: Press the cookie dough evenly and firmly into the prepared 9×13 pan, creating a level surface. Bake in the preheated oven for 14 to 15 minutes. Be careful not to overbake as you want the bars soft and chewy.
Cool and Frost: Allow the baked cookie bars to cool completely in the pan. Once cooled, spread the salted caramel frosting evenly over the bars. Finally, sprinkle with coarse ground sea salt to enhance the salted caramel flavor.

Notes

Ensure the butter is softened to room temperature for easy creaming with sugars.
Do not overbake the bars; remove them as soon as they are set but still soft.
For best results, use high quality dark cocoa powder to intensify the chocolate flavor.
The caramel coffee creamer can be substituted with regular milk or half-and-half if desired.
Sprinkling coarse sea salt on top adds a delightful contrast to the sweetness.
Store any leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Category: Desserts
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Keywords: Salted Caramel, Chocolate, Sugar Cookie Bars, Dessert Bars, Chocolate Cookie Bars, Salted Caramel Frosting, Easy Cookie Bars