These Peanut Butter Caramel Toffee Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars are decadent and rich with a heavenly caramel layer that takes these bars over the top! Made with rich peanut butter, gooey caramel, crunchy toffee bites and oaths, these bars have a unique combination of textures and flavors that is sure to satisfy every dessert fan, making them a must-bake for any occasion!
Love making cookies bars? You can’t miss my Reese’s Peanut Butter S’mores Oatmeal Bars, Chocolate Chip Cookie Cheesecake Bars, and don’t forget these Chocolate Raspberry Crumb Bars!

Peanut Butter Caramel Toffee Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars Recipe
I hope you’re ready to have your dessert dreams come true with these cookie bars! These bars combine all of the best things you could put in a dessert: creamy peanut butter, rich caramel, crunchy toffee, and, of course, melty chocolate. It’s like a flavor explosion in every bite!
And let’s not forget the chewy cookie base fortified with oats, giving it just the right balance of softness and structure. This dessert is rich, it’s sweet, and it’s exactly what you want to sink your teeth into.
Now, I’m a huge fan of cookie bars for so many reasons. Not only are they ridiculously easy to make (hello, time savers!), but they pack way more punch than your average cookie. For those of us juggling life and don’t have an hour to bake batch after batch of cookies, bars are where it’s at.
These are perfect for a crowd, or just a sweet indulgence for yourself. Cut them into bite-sized pieces or go all in with monster-sized bars – you won’t regret it!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Layers of Flavor: These cookie bars are a flavor bomb and over the top in the best way possible. Two layers of chocolate chip cookie dough (made with peanut butter and oats) are separated by a glorious layer of caramel – perfection!
- Irresistible Flavor Combo: If you’re a fan of peanut butter, caramel, toffee, and chocolate, this recipe is a match made in dessert heaven. Each bite delivers a perfect blend of sweet, salty, and chewy goodness that will make it hard to resist sneaking little pieces throughout the day!
- Crowd-Pleasing Dessert: Whether you’re serving them at a party, a family gathering, or just treating yourself, these bars are guaranteed to wow everyone. They’re easy to slice into bite-sized pieces, making them ideal for sharing, and they look as impressive as they taste!
How to Make These Peanut Butter Caramel Toffee Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars
You will probably be shocked by how easy these bars are to make! You’ll start by whipping up a simple cookie dough base, layering it with a rich caramel-toffee filling, and topping it off with more cookie dough before baking to golden perfection.
As always, you can find the full printable recipe card at the end of this post.
- Place the caramels, butter, and sweetened condensed milk in bowl or small saucepan.
- Melt in microwave or over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until caramels have fully melted.
- Combine flour, oats, baking powder and salt in a small mixing bowl.
- Cream butter, peanut butter and sugar together in a large mixing bowl.
- Mix eggs in one at a time.
- Add in vanilla extract.
- Add in the flour mixture.
- Mix just until combined.
- Stir in the chocolate chips, peanut butter chips and toffee bits.
- Spread two-thirds of the dough on the bottom of the pan.
- Pour caramel mixture evenly over the dough.
- Drop the remaining dough on top by the teaspoon and bake at 350°F until baked through, about 30 minutes. Let cool completely before cutting and serving.

Storage Information
- Room Temperature: Store the bars in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
- Refrigerator: Refrigerate for up to one week
- Freezer: Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature when you’re ready to enjoy!
Variations to Try
- Use gluten-free oats and a gluten-free flour blend in place of the regular flour to make these bars gluten-friendly without sacrificing flavor or texture.
- Swap out the peanut butter for almond butter or cashew butter for a different flavor profile.
- Add nuts like chopped peanuts or pecans for extra crunch.
- Sprinkle a little sea salt over the caramel layer for a delicious sweet-and-salty combo that will elevate the flavor.

What can I use as a substitute for toffee?
If you don’t have toffee bits, you can use chopped-up Heath or Skor bars, or even chopped pretzels for a salty crunch.
Can I use a different type of chocolate?
Yes! Feel free to swap out the semi-sweet chocolate chips for dark, milk, or white chocolate, or even a mix for added variety.
Trish’s Tips
- For easy removal and cleanup, make sure you line your baking pan with parchment paper, leaving some overhang. This way, you can lift the bars out in one piece once they’ve cooled.
- Keep an eye on the bars as they bake. They should be golden on top but still slightly soft in the center, as they’ll continue to set as they cool.
- When spreading the cookie dough layers, use your hands or the back of a spoon to press the dough evenly across the pan for uniform bars. You can lightly grease your hands to prevent sticking. For the top layer, just drop teaspoon to tablespoon size pieces of dough across the top evenly. It doesn’t have to be super uniform.

More Delicious Bar Recipes
Peanut Butter Caramel Toffee Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars
Ingredients
Caramel Filling
- 11 ounces caramels
- 14 ounces sweetened condensed milk
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
Cookie Dough
- 2 cups all purpose flour
- 1 cup old fashioned oats
- 2 ½ teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 12 tablespoons unsalted butter
- ½ cup creamy peanut butter not natural
- 2 cups light brown sugar
- 2 large eggs room temperature
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1 cup Reese’s peanut butter chips
- 1 cup Heath toffee bits
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a 9×13 inch baking dish with parchment paper and set aside.
- Unwrap caramels and place in a small saucepan or microwave safe bowl along with butter and sweetened condensed milk.11 ounces caramels, 14 ounces sweetened condensed milk, 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- Melt in microwave at medium heat in 30 second bursts or over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until caramels have fully melted and the mixture is nice and smooth. Set aside.
- Combine flour, oats, baking powder, and salt in a small mixing bowl. Set aside.2 cups all purpose flour, 1 cup old fashioned oats, 2 ½ teaspoons baking powder, 1 teaspoon salt
- Cream butter, peanut butter and brown sugar together in a large mixing bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer.12 tablespoons unsalted butter, ½ cup creamy peanut butter, 2 cups light brown sugar
- Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each egg. Add in vanilla extract.2 large eggs, 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- Add the flour mixture slowly stirring until well combined.
- Stir in the chocolate chips, peanut butter chips, and toffee bits.2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips, 1 cup Reese’s peanut butter chips, 1 cup Heath toffee bits
- Spread two-thirds 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 or until golden brown on top and set. Let cool completely and then cut into bars.
Video
Notes
- Room Temperature: Store the bars in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
- Refrigerator: Refrigerate for up to one week
- Freezer: Freeze for up to 3 months—just thaw at room temperature when you’re ready to enjoy!
What can I use as a substitute for toffee? If you don’t have toffee bits, you can use chopped-up Heath or Skor bars, or even chopped pretzels for a salty crunch.
Tools and Equipment (affiliate links): 9×13 Baking Dish | Glass Mixing Bowls | Whisk | Electric Mixer (Hand Mixer or Stand Mixer) |
Please see post above for more information, recipe tips and frequently asked questions.
Nutrition
Originally published April 27, 2014.
B says
Fantastic!! I made these for a gathering recently and people were raving about them. I subbed GF flour and GF caramel ice cream topping for the caramel sauce – they turned out perfectly! Thanks for the recipe!!
Sapoho says
I’m going to bump this up for 2020!
Made these today and they are amazing. VERY rich and decadent! Definitely a dish for a gathering – there is no way we’d be able to finish a 9×13 pan of this! 🙂 Being a Texan, next time I make them, I plan on bumping them up a notch with a half cup or so of chopped pecans.
Crystal B says
Made these for a family gathering and everyone loved them!!
Linda Z says
Really a great recipe! It’s so rich and decadent. The oatmeal in the cookie dough adds a special touch. This recipe is a keeper!
Janine says
You were right these just blew my mind. I really try to eat healthy so if I am going to indulge it better be awesome and these did not disappoint. Honestly they should come with a warning they are just that good. Well in fairness peanut butter, chocolate, and caramel are my favourite things so of course I love it but honestly there are not words for these. Try them. Thanks for this recipe
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
You and I could be soul sisters Janine. Couldn’t have said it better myself lol! Thank you!
Kelsey says
I’m making these for Easter tomorrow and just sampled the dough… Oh my goodness! I can’t wait to have my family experience the deliciousness tomorrow.
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
One of my personal favorites!
Lea says
I made these today. They are every bit as delicious as you say! I had to refrigerate them in order to get them cut and out of the pan. My caramel sauce seemed a bit too runny. I wonder what I did wrong. But, they are absolutely delicious!
Penny says
OUTSTANDING! Shared this with fellow Elks. Had requests for the recipe if it wasn’t a secret family recipe.
I was happy to share your recipe. Christmas 2018.
Trish says
These are amazing. Will definitely make again. I didn’t have the peanut butter chips so added more of the toffee chips. I also used sweetened condensed milk to make the caramel filling.
Dot elliott says
Can u freeze these ? Thanks.
Amy says
What do I do if I want to make them peanut free? We loved them btw, just wanted to try w/o the peanut butter
Jo says
I wonder how it would taste if you substitute the peanut butter for Nutella & leave out the peanut butter chips or maybe try white chocolate chips? Just a thought ?