Best 3 Layer Chocolate Caramel Cookie Bars Recipes

MILLIONAIRE'S SHORTBREAD

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Line a 9-inch square pan with aluminum foil, pushing the foil neatly into the corners and up the sides of the pan, using two pieces if necessary to ensure that the foil overlaps all edges (the overhang will help removal from the pan). Spray the foiled pan with nonstick cooking spray or grease with butter.
• In the bowl of a food processor fitted with a metal blade, combine the flour, brown sugar, cornstarch and salt; process until well combined and no lumps of brown sugar remain. Add the butter and pulse until a coarse meal forms. Add the ice water and egg yolk and blend until moist clumps form. Dump the dough into the prepared pan and press with your fingers into an even layer (dust your fingers with flour if the dough is too sticky). Pierce the dough all over with a fork and bake until golden, about 20 minutes. Set aside to cool.
• Whisk the sweetened condensed milk, brown sugar, butter, golden syrup, vanilla and salt together in a medium saucepan over medium heat until the sugar dissolves, the butter melts and the mixture comes to a boil. Attach a candy thermometer to the side of the pan and boil gently, whisking constantly, until the caramel is thick and the temperature registers 225 degrees F, about 6 minutes. Pour the caramel over the warm crust; cool for about 15 minutes, or until caramel is set.
• Place the chocolate and cream in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave in 20 second intervals, stirring in between, until the chocolate is about 75% melted. Stir, allowing the residual heat in the bowl to melt the remaining chocolate, until smooth (if necessary, place the chocolate back in the microwave for a few more; just be sure not to overheat or the mixture will curdle). Spread the chocolate over the caramel layer. Refrigerate the bars until the chocolate is set, at least 1 hour. Using the foil overhang, lift the bars out of the pan and transfer to a cutting board. Cut into small squares and store in the refrigerator until ready to serve.
• Note: The shortbread layer will crumble a bit when you cut it; that's just the nature of it.
• Freezer-Friendly Instructions: These can be frozen for up to 3 months. After they are completely cooled, double-wrap them securely with aluminum foil or plastic freezer wrap. Thaw overnight on the countertop before serving.

CHOCOLATE-CARAMEL COOKIE BARS

Steps:

• Crust: Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a 9-inch square baking pan with parchment, leaving an overhang on all sides; butter parchment, excluding overhang. Beat butter and brown sugar on medium speed until pale and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Add flour and table salt, and beat until just combined.
• Press dough evenly into pan, and bake until lightly browned, about 30 minutes.
• Chocolate Caramel: Place chocolate in a medium bowl. Heat granulated sugar and water in a small saucepan over medium-high heat, washing sides of pan with a wet pastry brush to prevent sugar crystals from forming, until amber, 10 to 12 minutes. Remove from heat. Add butter, cream, and table salt. Bring to a boil, stirring until smooth. Pour over chocolate. Let stand for 2 minutes. Stir to combine, and let stand until cool, about 10 minutes.
• Pour mixture over crust. Refrigerate at least 4 hours, or overnight. Run a knife around edges; lift parchment to remove whole bar from pan. Sprinkle with sea salt. Trim edges, and cut into 16 bars. Bars can be refrigerated for up to 3 days.

CHOCOLATE-CARAMEL COOKIE BARS

Steps:

• Line 13x9-inch pan with Reynolds Wrap® Aluminum Foil, with ends of foil extending over sides; spray with cooking spray. Arrange cookies in single layer on bottom of prepared pan.
• Microwave caramel bits and milk in microwaveable bowl on HIGH 1-1/2 to 2 min. or until bits are completely melted and mixture is well blended, stirring after each minute. Pour over cookies; spread to completely cover cookies.
• Microwave chocolates in microwaveable bowl 2 min. or until almost melted, stirring every 30 sec.; stir until chocolates are completely melted. Pour over caramel layer; spread to completely cover caramel layer.
• Let stand 2 hours before cutting into bars.

CHOCOLATE CARAMEL BARS

Steps:

• In a small saucepan over low heat, melt caramels with 1/4 cup milk; stir until smooth. Meanwhile, in a large bowl, cream butter until light and fluffy. Beat in dry cake mix and remaining milk., Spread half of the dough into a greased 13-in. x 9-in. baking pan. Bake at 350° for 6 minutes; sprinkle with chocolate chips. , Gently spread caramel mixture over chips. Drop remaining dough by tablespoonfuls over caramel layer. Return to the oven for 15 minutes.

COOKIE AND CARAMEL CHOCOLATE BARS

Steps:

• Position an oven rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 325 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment.
• Whisk the flour, baking powder and salt in a medium bowl. Beat together the butter and sugar with an electric mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy, 5 to 7 minutes. Add the egg and beat to combine. Slowly add the flour mixture and beat on low until the dough is just combined. Transfer the dough to a floured work surface and press it into a rectangle. Wrap in plastic and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
• Roll the dough out on a lightly floured surface to about an 8-inch square that is 1/4-inch-thick. Cut the dough into quarters, then cut each quarter into 8 sticks using a straight edge or sharp knife. (Each cookie will be about 4 inches long and 1/2 inch wide.) Use a skewer to make 3 holes on the top of each cookie about 1 inch apart. Transfer the cookies to the prepared baking sheet.
• Bake, rotating the pan from front to back halfway through, until golden, 25 to 28 minutes. Allow to cool completely on the baking sheet, then transfer the cookies to a wire rack.
• Meanwhile, combine the chocolate and canola oil in a small microwave-safe bowl and melt in the microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring after each. With a butter knife or offset spatula, spread the chocolate on the bottom of each cookie and set them chocolate-side up on a rack. Refrigerate until hardened, about 20 minutes. Turn the cookies over.
• Combine the caramels and heavy cream in a medium microwave-safe bowl and melt in the microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring after each interval, about 2 minutes. Let cool until the mixture registers 100 degrees F on an instant-read thermometer, then transfer to a piping bag. Cut the tip of the bag and pipe a strip of caramel on the uncoated top of each cookie. (If the caramel strips look messy, use your hand to mold and straighten the lines -- at this point, the caramel will be very malleable.) Return the cookies to the rack caramel-side up and refrigerate until hardened, about 20 minutes.
• Spoon the chocolate over each cookie or dip the caramel side so that it is completely covered with chocolate. After the cookies are completely coated, drizzle the chocolate with a spoon back and forth crosswise over each. Return to the wire rack until cooled and the chocolate hardens, about 2 hours. Store in an airtight container up to 5 days.

3-LAYER BARS

Steps:

• First Layer - Mix all ingredients together to form a crumbly mixture.
• Press into the bottom of a 9 x 13" pan, pressing firmly.
• Place pan in the freezer to set while preparing the next layer.
• Second Layer - Mix the first three ingredients together, using enough milk to make a stiff, frosting-like consistency.
• If desired, add a drop of yellow food coloring.
• Do not add too much milk, you want the mixture to be pretty stiff, but still spreadable.
• Remove the pan from the freezer and scrape the second layer onto the first, spreading as evenly as possible, and then using your hands to press down to smooth.
• Return pan to freezer.
• Third Layer - Melt the chocolate chips together with the butter. You can use a double boiler, but I have had good luck using a small saucepan and very low heat, with stirring.
• Remove the pan from the freezer.
• Pour the melted chocolate mixture over the second layer.
• Working quickly (before the chocolate sets), spread the chocolate layer evenly.
• Return the pan to the freezer for no more than a few minutes. You want the chocolate to begin to set before you cut the bars - but if you wait too long, the chocolate will be too hard and you won't be able to cut through it without it breaking. The point at which the chocolate loses its shine and takes on a dull appearance is the right time to remove the pan from the freezer and cut into small squares.
• After cutting, return to the freezer to harden completely, then remove from the pan.
• Store in the refrigerator.

TRIPLE LAYER COOKIE BARS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• In one 13x9 inch baking dish, melt the butter. Sprinkle the graham cracker crumbs over the melted butter . Top with the coconut, then the sweetened condensed milk and bake for 25 minutes or until golden brown.
• In a saucepan over low heat melt the chocolate chips and peanut butter together. Stir until creamy and pour over the baked bars. Let cool thoroughly then cut into bars. Garnish with more flaked coconut. Store bars in an airtight container.