If you love caramel and chocolate you’re going to love these bars! Chocolate Chip Caramel Cookie Bars are SO good with a sweet, gooey, caramel center!
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Last week we headed to Disneyland and Universal Studios for a much needed family vacation. A couple of days before we left I had the brilliant idea to stop off at Universal Studios on our way down so we could actually be at Universal Studios for two days instead of just one. Well we arrived around 2 p.m. and after walking the 8 miles from the parking garage down to the lower level where all the rides are, we stood in line for a little over an hour to go on Jurassic Park. Worth it? Yes! The ride was totally awesome!
The best part was that right after we got off the ride the boys got to “meet” Optimus Prime and Bumblebee. I can’t even begin to tell you how big of Transformers fans my boys are. HUGE! Bryce was totally in his element and was grinning from ear to ear. The boys also got to meet Curious George – so fun! I’m so glad we did that little side-trip on Sunday because by Friday we were so exhausted all I wanted to do was get out of Universal Studios and head home!
It takes about 7 hours for us to drive to Disneyland, give or take an hour, depending on how many times we stop. I packed all sorts of yummy snacks and treats including these Chocolate Chip Cookie Caramel Bars. The bars were a total hit! The caramel layer is just ridiculous.
Ooey. Gooey. Creamy. Caramel.
Perfection.
I left some for my Dad who was taking care of the house while we were gone and he agrees – soooo good. My sister stopped by while we were gone and took several home for herself. She called me to ask how in the world I made the caramel filling 🙂 It’s that good.
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Chocolate Chip Caramel Cookie Bars
Ingredients
Caramel Filling
- 11 oz vanilla caramels 1 bag
- 14 oz sweetened condensed milk 1 can
- 4 tbsp butter
Cookie Dough
- 1 1/2 sticks unsalted butter
- 2 cups light brown sugar
- 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
- 2 eggs room temperature
- 1 tbsp vanilla
- 2 cups flour
- 1 cup old fashioned oats
- 2 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 2 cup chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- Line a 9x13 inch baking dish with parchment paper.
- Unwrap caramels and place in a small saucepan with butter and sweetened condensed milk.
- Cook over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until caramels have fully melted and the mixture is nice and smooth
- Cream butter and sugar together in a large mixing bowl. Add peanut butter and continue mixing.
- Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each egg. Add in vanilla.
- Combine flour, oats, baking powder, and salt in a small mixing bowl.
- Add the flour mixture slowly stirring until well combined.
- Stir in the chocolate chips.
- Spread 2/3 of the dough on the bottom of the pan.
- Slowly pour caramel mixture evenly over the dough.
- Drop the remaining dough on top by the teaspoon. It doesn't have to be perfect!
- Bake for about 30 minutes. Let cool completely and then cut into bars.
Nutrition
If you love caramel you simply MUST give this recipe a try! You’ll love it – pinky promise!
More caramel goodness…
Overnight Caramel Pecan Cinnamon Rolls
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Baby names world says
These look really yummy!
Niome says
This is sooooooooooooooooo good that I had to shread the recipe and then burn it!
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
Oh no! LOL! Well I’m glad you enjoyed it while you had it Niome 😉
Leia @ Eat It & Say Yum says
Oh man, I NEED to make these! They look delicious!! Great pictures too, makes them look amazing.
Leia @ Eat It & Say Yum says
Just made them, and they were delicious! 🙂
brittany says
I must have done something wrong. Baked it for 45 minutes and all i have is goo.
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
Yes, definitely should not be goo Brittany 🙁
Mindy says
Made these yesterday and they were amazing. I was hesitant to include the peanut butter as I am not a big fan of PB cookies and wasn’t sure if I liked the PB and caramel combo but was also afraid to leave it out as it may have changed the cookie texture and left it too dry. I decided to go ahead with the peanut butter and was very pleased with the results. The PB didn’t over power, in fact, a few people couldn’t even tell it had any PB at all but it definitely gave it a bit of extra depth. Also have to say that the caramel filling is my new favorite and I have been putting it in several of my bars now and its a huge hit! Here is one of my favorite recipes with this filling: http://easybaked.net/2011/04/04/caramel-chip-bars/ Thanks for this recipe as I have tried to do caramel filled choc chip cookie bars before but they never came out right. Most recipes call for pre-baking the bottom cookie layer before adding caramel but mine would always end up overbaked then and too crispy. These were perfect!!!!
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
So glad you enjoyed the recipe Mindy and yes, I totally LOVE that caramel filling myself! It works for so many great recipes!
Lauri says
Help! I have everything but vanilla caramels. Do you think you could use the kraft caramel bits instead? I am soooo excited to try these!!!
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
I think you can Lauri! They are basically the same thing but just chopped up so give it a try 🙂
Pam says
Any idea if these freeze well? I’m trying to create a dessert bar for my son’s wedding and I’d have to make them in advance. Thanks!
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
Same with these Pam. I think it would be fine. I would suggest freezing just a handful of bars overnight, taking them out to thaw at room temperature, and then checking to make sure they held up well.
Shay says
O….M….G! I made this for Sunday dessert with my girls and these cookie bars were the absolute BEST! Thanks!
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
Yay! That’s so wonderful to hear Shay! Thanks so much for stopping by!!
jenni says
If your allergic to peanut butter, is it possible to leave out the peanut butter? Do i need to add something in its place or would the texture be fine without it?
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
You could try subbing in regular butter for the peanut butter Jenni. Let me know if you give it a shot!
Eva says
Omgosh! This recipe has been on my mind for weeks, just waiting for the right time to get em in the oven. Well, today was that day…. until I couldn’t find the recipe! I was sure I found you on Facebook somehow, but I hadn’t shared it. So, I went searching. It took me over an HOUR to find this again! But lemme tell you, I’m baking it today and saving the recipe. No more searching! They look amazing and I can’t wait til I can eat one. 🙂
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
Oh man! It sounds like a lot of work to find the recipe but I’m hoping the bars were worth it 🙂 Thanks for stopping by!
Emily says
I just made these today- very good! I think I will try again without the peanut butter- takin to church functions- kids now in days with all the allergies!!
Becki says
My diet has been going so good for a month and a half now and I know tomm. is a cheat day because of these! I can’t wait.
Mel says
Hi, I was just wondering how much exactly is 1.5 ‘butter sticks’? We don’t have them in Australia I don’t think?
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
That is 3/4 cups of butter Mel. Hope that helps!
Anyonita says
Oh WOW! These look absoluely stunning! Also, if you’re looking for a new Tuesday party I run Tasty Tuesdays and every post gets pinned! Here’s this week’s party if you’d like to link up: http://anyonitanibbles.blogspot.co.uk/2013/09/tasty-tuesdays-26.html
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
Thank you so much!
Ila says
Pinned!!! I love caramel! Can’t wait to try these.
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
Thanks so much for the pin!
susan says
They look sooo good but I wish they didn’t have nuts, the title had me thinking I could make these for my kids but we have nut allergies. Is the PB necessary or could I leave it out?
Marti says
I used WOW Butter and they turned out great!
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
Great substitution Marti! Thanks for stopping by!
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
Hi Susan! You can usually replace peanut butter with butter so give that a try. You need it for the moisture in the bars 🙂
Kristen Duke says
Looks like your boys had a blast!! That layer of caramel looks amazing – trying these out soon!
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
We sure did Kristen – thanks!
Jocelyn @BruCrew Life says
I am dying over the caramel in these glorious bars! I could definitely go for a few of these tonight! Holy yum!!!
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
Thanks Jocelyn! The caramel is the best part 🙂
kristi@ishouldbemoppingthefloor says
Oh man, these may have to replace my Hello Dollies during the holidays! Yum. And there’s that pretty towel again…with matching dishes!! Love those, girl!!
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
LOL! Thanks Kristi!
Mackenzie @ Cheerios and Lattes says
How fun Trish; our boys would love Universal Studios too! So glad you had a great vacation with your guys! These cookie bars look amazing too!
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
Thanks Mackenzie! We really had such a fun time 🙂
Joti says
OMG these are delicious!! I just made a batch last night and they are so yummy! Two questions though: how should I store these? And how long can I keep them for?
I wanted to keep some to share over the weekend with friends and family.
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
So glad you enjoyed the recipe Joti! Store any leftover bars in an airtight container and they should be good for several days – maybe even a week 🙂 Have a wonderful weekend!
Tonia@thegunnysack says
I love cookie bars and caramel makes everything better, doesn’t it?
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
I totally agree Tonia – caramel is the best!
Megan says
These look amazing!! Any ideas for an alternative to the Kraft caramels? I live in Africa, and we have condensed milk but no caramels. =(
JAmie @lifelovelemons says
YES. These look unreal!
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
Thank you so much! They were quite yummy 🙂
Nancy P.@thebittersideofsweet says
These bars look absolutely wonderful! Saw them on your Pinterest!
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
Thanks Nancy! They are super yummy 🙂
Ala says
These bars are so totally bookmarked! I’m glad you all were able to get away on a much-needed vacation–I’m still waiting for summer to end so I can make use of my Disneyland annual pass on days that aren’t blacked out 😉 thanks, Trish!
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
Thank you! I wish we lived close enough for annual passes 🙂
Chandra@The Plaid and Paisley Kitchen says
I love how your hubby is in the picture with the Transformers!! Big Boys like toys too!! these cookie bars are out of this world!
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
They sure do Chandra! Thanks for stopping by!
Pamela @ Brooklyn Farm Girl says
Absolutely loving the caramel appeal in these cookie bars, yum!
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
Thanks Pamela!!
Tina @ Tina's Chic Corner says
These bad boys caught my eye on pinterest and I simply had to check them out. These look so so good! I could sink my teeth into one right now!! 🙂
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
Thank you so much Tina! They are SOO good 🙂
Megan says
I’m going to make these tonight for my mommy group. Where did you find vanilla caramels? I can only find the regular ones. Thanks!
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
You probably have the right caramels Megan. If you picked up KRAFT caramels you’re all good. Look at the package and it should say vanilla – if not – no worries 🙂
Dorothy @ Crazy for Crust says
I hope you had an amazing trip! I want to hear all about it. And OMG these bars. NO WORDS.
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
We totally did Dorothy 🙂 Still exhausted but so worth it!
Aubrey @ Real Housemoms says
These look crazy ridiculous and I’m sad they’re not already in my mouth! I can’t wait to make them. I lived just north of Universal for 7 years and never once went. We have to visit sometime soon I’m sure my boys would love it.
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
Thanks Aubrey! We had a blast and the boys just LOVED it 🙂 So fun!
marcie@flavorthemoments says
What a fun trip, and these bars look incredible! So ooey gooey with all of that caramel.
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
We had such a good time Marcie 🙂 Yeah, that caramel is what makes these bars!
Jenn says
These do look like perfection!
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
Thanks Jenn! They sure were easy to eat 😉
Nanette says
These look evil, but soo delicious. Seeing some of your other recipes in the suggestions, they look good and evil too!!
And it took you 7 hours to get from Universal to Disney?? I live in Orlando, just don’t see how that is possible.
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
Hi Nanette! Thank you so much!! They really are 🙂 It takes us 7 hours to get from our home in Sacramento to Disneyland 🙂 I think we’re mixing up Disney World and Disneyland here. Universal Studios, Hollywood, is about an hour from Disneyland.
Ali says
These look super yummy. Def going to make! I’m from Sacramento too. It’s always nice to meet people from my hometown =)
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
Oh wow! A local reader 🙂 So nice to meet you Ali and so glad you stopped by!
Averie @ Averie Cooks says
Pinned! I love caramel. And sweetened cond milk. And recipes that have tons of texture. Way to rock a cakemix-free base and use oats. So good I bet!
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
Thanks for the pin Averie! The bars were super good and that caramel is just awesome 🙂 Thanks for stopping by!