Salted Caramel Cookie Bars Slow Cooker

Salted caramel cookie bars in the slow cooker are my go to dessert whenever I want something show stopping yet unfussy The slow gentle heat gives you impossibly tender cookie bars with melty caramel and a spark of sea salt in every bite It is the easiest way to bake up a pan of decadent treats with almost zero babysitting

What Makes It Special

• Uses only basic pantry ingredients for the dough
• No need to heat up the oven perfect for summer or busy kitchens
• Caramel bits melt into gooey pools between buttery cookie layers
• Sprinkle of sea salt balances the sweetness and makes every bite craveable
• You can slice and serve right from the slow cooker dish

The first time I made these was for a family movie night and we ended up pausing the film just to go back for seconds These quickly became a tradition in our house and I love how simple and hands off the process is

The first time I made these was for a family movie night and we ended up pausing the film just to go back for seconds These quickly became a tradition in our house and I love how simple and hands off the process is

What You’ll Need

• Unsalted butter at room temperature: gives the cookie bars their rich tender base Choose good quality butter for best flavor
• Sugar: for sweetness and that classic chewy texture Plain granulated sugar is perfect here
• Regular salt: helps balance flavors in the dough
• Vanilla: adds a warm subtle depth Try to use pure vanilla extract
• One egg: binds everything together and gives structure Fresh eggs work best
• All purpose flour: forms the sturdy yet tender crumb Look for flour that is not too old to keep the bars light
• Kraft caramel bits: make layering super easy with no unwrapping or melting needed
• Sea salt: sprinkled on top is key for contrast Choose flaky sea salt for best texture

Let’s Cook This Together

Prep the Slow Cooker:

Spray the bottom and sides of your slow cooker with nonstick spray Make sure to coat thoroughly so the cookie bars release easily

Make the Dough:

In a large mixing bowl use a mixer to beat the butter sugar and vanilla together until creamy and fluffy about two minutes Scrape down the sides as needed

Add Egg and Salt:

Beat in the egg and regular salt until well combined The mixture should be smooth and homogeneous

Add the Flour:

Gradually mix in flour one cup at a time blending until a soft dough forms If the dough seems sticky sprinkle a bit of flour over it

Divide and Shape the Dough:

With clean hands take a little over half of the dough and gently press it into an even layer across the bottom of the slow cooker Use a touch of flour on your hands to prevent sticking

Layer with Caramel:

Sprinkle the caramel bits evenly across the dough base Do not clump all in one spot you want every bite to have caramel

Crumble and Top:

Crumble the remaining dough over the caramel layer in small pieces so the top looks rustic

Dust with Sea Salt:

Sprinkle the sea salt evenly over the top dough layer This is what gives the bars their signature flavor

Slow Cook:

Cover and cook on low for two to three hours The cookie bars are done when lightly browned around the edges and a knife inserted in the center comes out mostly clean

Cool and Slice:

Let the bars cool completely in the cooker before slicing into servings They will set up as they cool

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Good to Know

• Sweet salty combination appeals to kids and adults alike
• Great for make ahead desserts they keep well at room temperature
• Leftovers store best in an airtight container with parchment layers in between

Every batch I make is a little celebration for me because the caramel bits stay perfectly gooey without any fuss My daughter always sneaks an extra sprinkle of sea salt on her piece and now it is our little finishing touch ritual

Every batch I make is a little celebration for me because the caramel bits stay perfectly gooey without any fuss My daughter always sneaks an extra sprinkle of sea salt on her piece and now it is our little finishing touch ritual

Keeping It Fresh

Be sure to let the cookie bars cool thoroughly before removing from the slow cooker This helps them set up perfectly and prevents crumbling For storage use parchment paper between layers in your container so the caramel does not stick

Easy Ingredient Swaps

You can substitute regular caramel squares for the bits Just chop them into small pieces first If you are out of sea salt a pinch of kosher salt works but flaky sea salt truly shines For a nutty hint try stirring in a handful of chopped pecans to the dough

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How to Serve It Right

These cookie bars are fantastic served at room temperature or slightly warmed Pop an individual bar in the microwave for five to ten seconds to revive that fresh baked texture If you are serving for a party cut them into smaller bite size squares and dust with a tiny extra pinch of sea salt

Behind the Dish

The slow cooker method turns out cookie bars with wonderfully soft centers and lightly crisp edges without constant monitoring It became our family staple after my oven broke one summer and I discovered just how delicious hands off baking could be

Kitchen Wisdom

• Let butter and egg come fully to room temperature for easy blending
• Scatter caramel bits evenly so you get caramel in every bite
• Cool bars fully before lifting out or cutting for the cleanest slices

Recipe FAQs

→ How do I know when the cookie bars are done in the slow cooker?

The bars are ready when the edges are lightly browned and a knife inserted into the center comes out mostly clean. The center will be slightly soft and will set as it cools.

→ Can I substitute store-bought caramel for caramel bits?

Yes, you can use soft caramel candies cut into small pieces instead of packaged caramel bits for similar results.

→ How should I store the cookie bars?

Store cooled bars in an airtight container at room temperature. For best texture, use parchment paper to separate layers.

→ Can I bake these bars in the oven?

Yes, assemble as directed and bake in a greased 8x8-inch pan at 350°F for about 25–30 minutes until the edges are golden.

→ Should I let the bars cool before removing from the slow cooker?

Yes, allow the bars to cool thoroughly so they firm up and can be removed more easily without breaking.