Ultimate Peanut Butter Caramel Toffee Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars Recipe
Introduction
These Ultimate Peanut Butter Caramel Toffee Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars combine rich peanut butter, gooey caramel, crunchy toffee, and melty chocolate into one irresistible treat. Perfect for sharing or satisfying a sweet tooth, these bars are easy to make and delightfully decadent.
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 cup creamy peanut butter
- 1 cup caramel sauce
- 1 cup toffee bits
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper.
- Step 2: In a large bowl, cream together the butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
- Step 3: Add the eggs and vanilla extract, mixing until well combined.
- Step 4: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add this to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined.
- Step 5: Spread the dough evenly into the prepared pan.
- Step 6: Drizzle the peanut butter and caramel sauce over the dough, then use a knife to swirl them together.
- Step 7: Sprinkle the toffee bits and chocolate chips evenly over the top.
- Step 8: Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and the center is set.
- Step 9: Allow the bars to cool completely before cutting into squares.
Tips & Variations
- Use a toothpick to swirl the caramel and peanut butter for a marbled effect.
- Add a pinch of sea salt on top for a sweet-and-salty finish.
- Substitute almond or cashew butter for a unique twist.
- For a nut-free version, substitute sunflower seed butter for peanut butter.
- Do not overmix the dough to keep bars tender and soft.
- Make sure butter and eggs are at room temperature for a smoother batter.
- Use parchment paper to easily remove and cut bars neatly.
Storage
Store the cookie bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. To reheat, warm individual bars briefly in the microwave for a melty, fresh-baked taste.
How to Serve
Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I use crunchy peanut butter instead of creamy?
Yes, crunchy peanut butter will add extra texture and a nutty crunch to the bars, enhancing the overall experience.
How do I prevent the bars from drying out?
Avoid overbaking by checking the bars at 25 minutes. They should be golden brown on the edges but still slightly soft in the center. Cooling completely before cutting helps maintain moisture.
Print
Ultimate Peanut Butter Caramel Toffee Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars Recipe
- Total Time: 40 mins
- Yield: 16 bars 1x
Description
Indulge in the Ultimate Peanut Butter Caramel Toffee Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars, a decadent treat combining creamy peanut butter, gooey caramel, crunchy toffee bits, and melty chocolate chips. Perfectly balanced with a soft, chewy base and swirled layers of rich caramel and peanut butter, these bars are a delightful dessert for any occasion.
Ingredients
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup creamy peanut butter
- 1 cup caramel sauce
Dry Ingredients
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
Toppings
- 1 cup toffee bits
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper to ensure easy removal and clean cutting of the bars.
- Cream Butter and Sugars: In a large bowl, use a whisk or mixer to cream together the softened unsalted butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy, creating a smooth base for the dough.
- Add Eggs and Vanilla: Mix in the two large eggs and vanilla extract until fully incorporated, ensuring an even texture throughout the batter.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt to evenly distribute the leavening agent and seasoning.
- Mix Dry into Wet: Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing just until combined to avoid overmixing which can lead to tough bars.
- Spread Dough: Evenly spread the cookie dough into the prepared 9×13-inch pan, flattening the surface with a spatula for uniform thickness.
- Swirl Peanut Butter and Caramel: Drizzle the creamy peanut butter and caramel sauce over the dough surface, then use a knife or toothpick to swirl them together gently for a marbled effect that ensures each bite has rich flavor.
- Add Toppings: Sprinkle the toffee bits and semi-sweet chocolate chips evenly across the top of the dough to add crunch and melty chocolate pockets.
- Bake: Place the pan in the oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the edges appear golden brown and the center is set but still slightly soft to maintain a chewy texture.
- Cool Completely: Remove the pan from the oven and allow the bars to cool completely in the pan before slicing into 16 squares, which ensures clean slices and prevents crumbling.
Notes
- For a nut-free alternative, substitute the peanut butter with sunflower seed butter.
- Store leftover bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days to maintain freshness and flavor.
- Use a toothpick to swirl peanut butter and caramel for an attractive marbled look.
- Allow bars to cool fully before cutting to achieve neat slices.
- Add a pinch of sea salt on top before baking for a perfect sweet-and-salty balance.
- Try experimenting with different nut butters like almond or cashew for a unique flavor twist.
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 25 mins
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: peanut butter bars, caramel toffee bars, chocolate chip dessert, cookie bars, easy baking recipe, peanut butter dessert
