Caramel Peanut Butter Almost S’mores Cookie Bars

Caramel Peanut Butter Almost S’mores Cookie Bars

Serves: 12-15 bars
Cooking Time: 25 minutes
Caramel Peanut Butter Almost S’mores Cookie Bars

Ingredients

  • Graham Cookies Base:
  • 1 cup ( 8 ounces, 2 sticks) butter, softened to room temperature
  • 1 ½ cups (11.25 ounces) packed light brown sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 cups crused graham crackers
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • ¼ salt
  • Caramel Peanut Butter Layer:
  • 10-12 ounces ( 340g ) dulce de leche
  • ¼ cup cream or milk
  • ½ cup creamy peanut butter
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 ½ to 2 cups ( 9-12 ounces) semisweet chocolate chips

Instructions

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1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line a 9x13-inch pan with foil or parchment paper, leaving a 2-inch overhang on the longer sides for easy removal of the bars after baking. Grease evenly with cooking spray and set aside.

2. In an electric stand mixer or in a large bowl with a handheld electric mixer, beat the butter and sugar until light and fluffy, 1-2 minutes. Beat in the eggs and vanilla until well combined.

3. Add the flour, graham cracker crumbs, baking powder and salt. On low speed, mix until combined.

4. Press half ( or slightly more than half) of the dough evenly on the bottom of the prepared pan.

5. In a microwave-safe bowl, combine the dulche de leche and cream or milk and mix well. Stir in the peanut butter and vanilla until well combined.

6. Spread the caramel and peanut butter mixture over the layer of cookie dough in the pan. Sprinkle with chocolate chips. Crumble the remaining cookie dough over the top in small pieces.

7. Bake the bars until golden brown but still soft ( don’t over bake), about 20-25 minutes. The caramel may seem runny but if the cookie dough part is golden and soft-set, take the bars out. Cool completely. Cut into squares and serve ( chilled, room temp or warm).