Well, well, well. Today is a very special day, indeed!
Today is my friend, Lisa’s, surprise virtual baby shower!!!!! A bunch of us got together and all made little treats for the virtual party, an idea which made me completely fall in love with the blogging community all over again. I’ve known Lisa for about a year now and I can say without a doubt that she is one of the sweetest people that I know. A while back, when her and her husband still lived in California, I met up with Lisa for lunch in San Francisco and we ended up chatting for hours. I was so excited to make a new local friend but then…whomp whomp….they moved to Oregon. We roomed together at BlogHer Food last June and had a blast though. I can’t wait to visit her once her little guy arrives. Her blog features all these yummy gluten-free recipes and entertaining tips — trust me, you want to check it out, even if you love gluten like me.
I decided to make these delectable salted caramel chocolate cookie bars for the party! No, they are not gluten-free but yes, they are probably one of the most delicious things you will ever put in your mouth. Think a buttery shortbread crust topped with chewy caramel, dark chocolate and flaky sea salt. It was a major struggle not to eat the entire pan myself!
I got the idea to make these after a rather aggression Twix craving.
I haven’t had Twix in years, but suddenly I NEEDED one.
Well, naturally I started baking what I thought would taste just like a homemade Twix bar but instead it sort of became its own thing, which ended up being better than any Twix I’ve ever had! If you’ve been reading my blog for awhile, you know that I’m a huge salted chocolate fan. Okay fine — I’m actually just a huge salt fan! I love big, flaky, crunchy sea salt….and sweet/salty dessert creations are my favorite! Here’s my favorite kind of sea salt; I highly recommend it for all your sweet and salty treats.
{if you’ve never tried these salted fudge brownies, do yourself a favor but be prepared to pull out your fat jeans first}
Salted Caramel Chocolate Cookie Bars
makes about 2 dozen cookie bars
Ingredients:
for crust—
2 sticks unsalted butter, room temperature
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup powdered sugar
1 tbsp pure vanilla extract
1/2 tsp salt
2 cups flour
for caramel layer—
10 oz plastic wrapped caramels, unwrapped and roughly chopped {I used those Fleur de Sel caramels from Trader Joe’s– fabulous!}
2 tbsp heavy cream
for chocolate layer—
12 oz dark chocolate chips
1 tbsp butter
flaky sea salt
Directions:
Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
Spray a 15 x 10″ glass baking dish with cooking spray and set aside.
Cream together the soft butter with the granulated sugar and powdered sugar until fluffy. Then, add the vanilla and salt. Mix in the flour until you have a soft dough then press dough into the bottom of the baking dish. Prick holes all over the dough using a fork then bake for 35 minutes, until golden brown.
After baking, remove crust and let cool while you make the caramel layer.
Melt together the chopped caramels with the cream in a medium saucepan over low heat, stirring constantly. Once melted completely, pour caramel over cookie crust, smoothing with a rubber spatula. Set aside.
Melt the chocolate chips with the butter over low heat, stirring constantly. Pour the chocolate over the caramel layer, smooth with a spatula, then immediately scatter flaky sea salt all over the top. Set in the fridge for an hour to cool completely before slicing.
To slice cookie bars, run a knife around the edge of the pan to loosen then gently take the entire large “cookie bar” out of the pan and place on the counter. Using a HOT knife (keep the knife in a mug of hot water), cut into bars. The hot knife is key here — be sure to wipe knife with a paper towel between slices.
Time:
active time— 30 minutes
total time (includes cooling) — 2 hours
Be sure to check out what everyone else made for the party! I really wish it was more than just virtual because I want a plate of everything! These bloggers really know how to throw a party—YUM!
Aggie
October 17, 2012 at 3:24 amCongrats Lisa!! I’m loving these Jenna…you had me at salted + caramel + cookie 🙂
they look perfect!
Angela @ Happy Fit Mama
October 17, 2012 at 3:36 amCongrats to Lisa and her family! What a cute idea, too! I’m kind of loving the Fleur de Sel caramel syrup from Trader Joe’s right now. This is so being made!
Anne
October 17, 2012 at 3:53 amYou had me at “Twix”!
Amy
October 17, 2012 at 4:03 amMy hubs is a twix fanatic and claims it’s all about the cookie. Can’t wait to try these!
Joelle (on a pink typewriter)
October 17, 2012 at 4:12 amThese look crazy good! How do you get inspiration for recipes?
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Angela @ Eat Spin Run Repeat
October 17, 2012 at 5:02 amWhat a cool idea for a baby shower! These bars look amazing… better get the stretchy pants out!
Molly @ RDexposed
October 17, 2012 at 5:05 amOh my word…. I’m bringing out this recipe when I need to impress. Otherwise it’ll stay home with me. 🙂
Lauren
October 17, 2012 at 5:28 amThese look insane but a little too complicated for me. 🙂 I think you should just package these up and start selling them. I’m sold!
amy walters, aDESIGNdock
October 17, 2012 at 5:54 amLove everything about this virtual party idea (except, of course, that you can’t eat all the delicious treats). But what a feast for the eyes and a great way to connect.
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Abby@ Totes Delish
October 17, 2012 at 6:03 amThese look soooo good! I need some of that flaky salt, I can never find just the right one for these recipes!
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Amanda @ Once Upon a Recipe
October 17, 2012 at 6:31 amMy mom makes a version of these bars at Christmas, but without the salt. They are mega delicious! Must try this version some time too!
deva by definition
October 17, 2012 at 6:37 amCongrats to Lisa! These bars sound and look amazing! My mom makes a version with an oatmeal “crust” that’s topped with chocolate and peanut butter. I have this bookmarked for thanksgiving. YUM!
Sarah
October 17, 2012 at 6:47 amThose look absolutely delicious! I need to find an excuse to make them immediately! Whoever came up with the idea to combine chocolate and caramel into one dessert is a genius!
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October 17, 2012 at 7:02 amThese look like they’d be a great post long run treat!
Angie @ Big Bear's Wife
October 17, 2012 at 7:28 amoh my they look good! I love all things chocolate and caramel!
Loretta | A Finn In The Kitchen
October 17, 2012 at 7:28 amAfter seeing the pic of these, I was surprised to see how simple they are! They look incredible and I’d love to try them.
Melissa @ SoulonaPlatter
October 17, 2012 at 7:32 amHappiness for Lisa!
I’m going to be a little late for the shower.
I got stuck in traffic.
{post coming}
Devon
October 17, 2012 at 7:34 amI need these RIGHT NOW.
samantha angela
October 17, 2012 at 7:35 amWow. Those look really decadent!
Nicole
October 17, 2012 at 7:36 ami feel lost.
what do you do at a virtual party? is this a dumb question!? :S
please explain! 🙂
jenna
October 17, 2012 at 7:38 amWe just all link up (like you see at the bottom of the post) with all of our goodies — it’s just good “new fashioned” party fun!
April
October 17, 2012 at 7:36 amI’ve been dying to make something like this… I’ve been craving the caramel cookie bars from Little Debbie forever, but I do not want to buy the pre-wrapped caramels… do you have a recipe for caramel that would set up like these do that I could substitute???
allie@sweetpotatobites
October 17, 2012 at 8:09 amthese look so good an decadent! the trader joe’s fleur de sel caramels are pretty fantastic.
Julie
October 17, 2012 at 8:10 amWow. Looks like something I’ll have to contemplate.
Heather @ girlyeverafter
October 17, 2012 at 8:15 amWhat a cute idea for a shower! I’m a huge candy fan so having a homemade one is the best idea EVER!
Dana @ Conscious Kitchen Blog
October 17, 2012 at 8:23 amThese look to die for! I’m a huge fan of the sweet/salty combo and can’t wait to try making these. Congrats to your friend on the baby!
Bev @ Bev Cooks
October 17, 2012 at 8:39 amYUMMMMM. Oh, the memories!
Andrea @ The Skinny Chronicles
October 17, 2012 at 8:55 amI am making these ASAP. I my stomach growls in anticipation. You should get a Nobel Peace Prize for this recipe. They give them out for the culinary arts now, no? If not, they should!
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Kristin
October 17, 2012 at 9:22 amThese look great! And thanks for the Trader Joe Caramel notice … I bought a container yesterday and ate like 5 of them within a few hours. They are dangerousssss, but oh so good.
Annalise
October 17, 2012 at 9:57 amAnd now I’m craving Twix too, or rather, these homemade delights.
I’ve been following your book tour updates and I’m bummed you aren’t coming to Salt Lake City. Would love to meet you!
Averie @ Averie Cooks
October 17, 2012 at 10:09 amSo fun with all these great recipes for Lisa’s shower and these caramel bars just look incredible, Jenna! Like…I could gobble up the whole tray and skip over everything else at the shower 🙂
Stellina @ My Yogurt Addiction
October 17, 2012 at 10:11 amYou have such a way with food! Those look incredible, I wish I could make my desserts look as pretty as yours!!
Sandy @ RE
October 17, 2012 at 10:38 amI’m so happy for Lisa.
I love this recipe – they are the best. Perfect for a shower.
Wish we could all be together …
xo
Catalina @ Cake with Love
October 17, 2012 at 10:53 amI made something similar just with corn flakes, and I love salt and caramel combo oh so much!
Katrina @ Warm Vanilla Sugar
October 17, 2012 at 11:10 amYuussss! This sounds awesome!
Katie
October 17, 2012 at 11:23 amFat jeans on. I’m ready to go.
(ps. next time I’m pregnant, I’m officially inviting you to live with me and make these for me for 9 months.)
Millie Snyder
October 17, 2012 at 11:46 amCongrats Lisa! Twix was a great idea. Love it!
Addy@ Six-Kick Switch
October 17, 2012 at 11:58 amOh man. These are just unfair. How can you post these on a day when I have no time to bake?? Mean.
On the other hand, they will definitely make the weekend something to look forward to!
Megan @ Megan's Miles
October 17, 2012 at 12:18 pmYum! These are my kind of bars — I love Twix and anything with salted caramel!
Thanks for another awesome recipe!
Jil @ Big City, Lil Kitchen
October 17, 2012 at 12:35 pmOhh my – these look incrediiiible.
Lisa | With Style and Grace
October 17, 2012 at 12:44 pmMmm… these look amazing, Jenna! Thank you so much for the kind words and making this delicious dessert! I wish we were still in California so we could continue with our lunch dates & so you could meet this little guy. I have a feeling you’ll meet him soon enough though 🙂 I’m very thankful to call you a friend – thank you love for everything!
Mel
October 17, 2012 at 1:15 pmMmm I’m definitely drooling
Life's a Bowl
October 17, 2012 at 1:21 pmAwesome idea, congrats to Lisa!!! My husband would love these, he’s all about the cookie crunch 😉
Lily O' Dare @ Candied-Life
October 17, 2012 at 3:53 pmYum! Can’t wait to make these!
Julie @ NaClKitchen
October 17, 2012 at 3:59 pmI love the sweet and salty too! And as soon as I saw the first picture I was wondering if they tasted like kit-kats. Even better than kit-kats sound great in my book!
Madison
October 17, 2012 at 4:54 pmSo yum so yum!!!! I cannot wait to give these a try!
Brian @ A Thought For Food
October 17, 2012 at 7:40 pmI love that everyone has such a connection to Lisa… her love for life is electric.
Gorgeous dessert for the shower!
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Irvin @ Eat the Love
October 18, 2012 at 12:59 amThose look WAY better than any Twix bars I’ve had before! I love it. They look totally fantastic and super easy to make. And isn’t Lisa the best? So sad she moved away from San Francisco!
Sonal
October 18, 2012 at 1:56 amThese look sooo good! Twix bars are amazing.
Susan
October 18, 2012 at 5:05 amDid you remove your travel suggestions from your blog? I was trying to find something you had on it a couple of months back…a cute bed and breakfast in No. Calif. somewhere…
Thanks!
Katie (The Muffin Myth)
October 18, 2012 at 2:55 pmMmmmm, salty twix bars? Sold! Thanks so much for this delicious recipe!
Caroline L.
October 18, 2012 at 6:03 pmummm… i think i found my new favorite thing on earth!
Cate
October 18, 2012 at 11:44 pmOh my God, I need these in my life. Should be easy enough for me to convert to gluten-free… can’t wait to make them!
Maria
October 19, 2012 at 7:02 amI need that. Now.
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October 20, 2012 at 1:41 pmLove the tip about using a hot knife! I saw something similar from Food and Wine recently and they are totally on my radar. You and I are kindred spirits in our love for salty-sweet (or just plain salt 🙂
Jill
October 22, 2012 at 11:17 amWow. If these aren’t delicious, I don’t know what is!
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March 6, 2013 at 8:42 amThese look incredible! So trying these! I’m obsessed with Twix…but hardly eat them because, well. We know why. After I make these, I will have to add 20 more minutes to the treadmill. 🙂
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Melissa B
June 22, 2013 at 6:39 amThese look delicious! =)
Have a great weekend!
Melissa
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