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4.9 from 201 votes

Caramel Peanut Butter Almost S'mores Cookie Bars

A versatile and tasty recipe that’s quick to prepare and easy to enjoy.

Prep Time
25 mins
Cook Time
25 mins
Total Time
50 mins
Servings: 24 bars
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Graham Cookie Base:
  • 1 cup salted butter softened to room temperature
  • 1 ½ cups packed light brown sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 cups crushed graham cracker crumbs about 18 rectangle crackers
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
Caramel PB Layer:
  • 10-12 ounces soft caramels unwrapped
  • ⅓ cup cream or milk see note
  • ½ cup creamy peanut butter I use a heaping 1/2 cup
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 ½ to 2 to 2 cups semisweet chocolate chips

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  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 caramels and cream (or milk) and microwave in 1-minute increments, stirring in between, until melted and smooth. Stir in the peanut butter and vanilla until well-combined.
  6. Spread the caramel/PB 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).

Notes

  • Caramel: if you're using homemade caramel, you most likely don't need to add the cream (you'll want about 1 1/2 cups caramel).
  • Milk or Cream: if using milk with the caramels (instead of cream) the mixture will be quite a bit thinner and runnier. I've made it both ways and it's delicious either way - just richer and creamier with the cream rather than the milk.

Nutrition Information

Serving 1 Bar Calories 347kcal (17%) Carbohydrates 43g (14%) Protein 5g (10%) Fat 18g (28%) Cholesterol 40mg (13%) Sodium 221mg (9%) Fiber 2g (8%) Sugar 27g (54%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 24bars

Amount Per Serving

Calories

% Daily Value*

Serving 1 Bar
Calories 347kcal 17%
Carbohydrates 43g 14%
Protein 5g 10%
Fat 18g 28%
Cholesterol 40mg 13%
Sodium 221mg 9%
Fiber 2g 8%
Sugar 27g 54%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.