Caramel Snickerdoodle Bars
User Reviews
5
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Prep Time
20 mins
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Cook Time
25 mins
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Total Time
45 mins
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Servings
18 bars
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Calories
345 kcal
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Course
Dessert, Baked Goods
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Cuisine
American
Caramel Snickerdoodle Bars
Description
The recipe begins by mixing cinnamon and sugar to coat the bottom of a prepared baking dish. The main cookie dough is created by creaming softened butter and shortening with granulated sugar, then adding eggs, vanilla extract, and dry ingredients including flour, cream of tartar, baking soda, and salt. The dough is pressed into the pan, building up the sides about an inch tall.
After sprinkling some cinnamon sugar on top of the dough base, a smooth caramel layer is made by melting wrapped caramels with heavy cream in the microwave in short bursts. This caramel is poured over the dough to form a rich, gooey middle layer. The remaining cookie dough is broken into small flattened pieces and scattered over the caramel, creating an uneven top crust that bakes into golden snickerdoodle bars with pockets of caramel.
The bars offer the classic snickerdoodle flavor with cinnamon and vanilla enhanced by luscious caramel. Texturally, the base cookie is tender and sturdy enough to hold the caramel, while the top bits crisp and brown for contrast. These bars are ideal as a decadent dessert or special snack for those who enjoy combining caramel’s sweetness with cinnamon sugar spice.
The notes indicate that if using homemade caramel sauce, omit the Kraft caramels and heavy cream, directing readers to a separate homemade caramel recipe instead. This flexibility lets cooks tailor the recipe to their preferred caramel preparation.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup butter softened
- 1/2 cup shortening or more butter, butter flavored
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 2 egg or 2 Tbsp flax seeds + 6 Tbsp water
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 3 cups all-purpose flour minus 2 tablespoons
- 2 teaspoons cream of tartar
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
cinnamon sugar topping
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
caramel filling
- 13 oz caramels unwrapped, or homemade caramel suace, Kraft brand
- 1/4 cup heavy cream
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375° F. Lightly spray 9x13 glass baking dish with nonstick cooking spray and set aside.
- In a small bowl, stir sugar and cinnamon together.
- Pour half the cinnamon-sugar mixture into the baking dish and spread around to coat the bottom.
- In a large bowl, using an electric stand mixer, cream butter, shortening, and sugar.
- Stir in eggs and vanilla extract. Add in all dry ingredients and stir until just incorporated. Scrape edges and mix again briefly.
- Take 2/3 of the cookie dough and press into the bottom of the pan and up the sides about 1 inch.
- Sprinkle the top of the cookie dough with 1 tablespoon of the remaining cinnamon sugar.
- In a medium-size bowl, add caramels and heavy cream*. Microwave for 20-second intervals, stirring in between each until completely melted and smooth.
- Pour caramel over cookie dough and spread to smooth.
- Take small pieces of remaining cookie dough, flatten slightly in between your hands and place over top the caramel until no more cookie dough remains.
- Sprinkle the cookie dough on top of the caramel with the last of the cinnamon and sugar.
- Bake for 25 minutes or until the edges are lightly golden.
- Cool completely before cutting into bars.
Notes
- For homemade caramel sauce, do not use Kraft caramels and heavy cream; see the linked homemade caramel sauce recipe instead.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 18bars
Amount Per Serving
Calories 345 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 345kcal | 17% |
| Carbohydrates | 52g | 17% |
| Protein | 4g | 8% |
| Fat | 14g | 22% |
| Saturated Fat | 6g | 30% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 3g | 18% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 4g | 20% |
| Trans Fat | 1g | 50% |
| Cholesterol | 37mg | 12% |
| Sodium | 225mg | 9% |
| Potassium | 135mg | 3% |
| Fiber | 1g | 4% |
| Sugar | 33g | 66% |
| Vitamin A | 242IU | 5% |
| Vitamin C | 0.1mg | 0% |
| Calcium | 40mg | 4% |
| Iron | 1mg | 6% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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