Description
These Ultimate Peanut Butter Caramel Toffee Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars combine creamy peanut butter, gooey caramel, crunchy toffee bits, and melty chocolate chips for a decadent treat. Perfectly layered and swirled, they bake into a golden brown bar with a soft center, delivering a rich, sweet, and satisfying flavor experience in every bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup creamy peanut butter
- 1 cup caramel sauce
Dry Ingredients
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
Add-ins
- 1 cup toffee bits
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper for easy removal and neat cutting.
- Cream Butter and Sugars: In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy, creating a smooth and creamy base for the bars.
- Add Eggs and Vanilla: Add the eggs and vanilla extract to the butter mixture, mixing thoroughly until well combined to ensure a uniform batter.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt to evenly distribute the leavening and seasoning.
- Combine Wet and Dry: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing just until combined to avoid overworking the dough which can cause toughness.
- Spread Dough: Spread the dough evenly into the prepared baking pan, creating an even layer as the base of the cookie bars.
- Add Peanut Butter and Caramel: Drizzle the peanut butter and caramel sauce evenly over the dough, then use a knife to swirl them together for a marbled effect that combines flavor and visual appeal.
- Sprinkle Toffee and Chocolate Chips: Evenly sprinkle the toffee bits and semi-sweet chocolate chips across the top to add crunchy texture and melty chocolate pockets.
- Bake: Bake the bars for 25-30 minutes, until the edges are golden brown and the center is set, avoiding overbaking to maintain softness.
- Cool and Cut: Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan before lifting them out and cutting into 16 squares for clean slices and optimal texture.
Notes
- Do not overmix the dough to prevent tough bars.
- Use room temperature butter and eggs for a smoother batter.
- Watch baking time carefully to avoid drying out the bars.
- Line the pan with parchment paper for easier removal.
- Spread caramel and peanut butter evenly for consistent flavor.
- Use a toothpick to swirl caramel and peanut butter for an attractive marbled look.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container to keep fresh.
- Add a pinch of sea salt on top for a sweet-and-salty balance.
- Consider experimenting with other nut butters like almond or cashew for variety.
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 25 mins
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: peanut butter bars, caramel toffee cookie bars, chocolate chip bars, easy dessert bars, homemade cookie bars, baked bars, sweet treats
