Salted Caramel Cookie Bars Slow

These salted caramel cookie bars are what I make when I want dessert with minimal effort and maximum comfort. The slow cooker does the heavy lifting for you, making rich buttery bars with gooey caramel centers and a touch of sea salt on top for that perfect finishing note. They make any afternoon feel special but are easy enough to whip up on a whim.

What Makes It Special

• Ready to bake right in your slow cooker which frees up the oven and is nearly hands off
• Sweet meets salty in each bite thanks to a pop of sea salt over deep caramel
• Only basic kitchen ingredients needed these are all items you likely have on hand
• My kids light up when they see this batch set to cook It is the dessert I reach for when the craving hits but I still have a full schedule

What You’ll Need

• Unsalted butter: rich buttery base and room temperature helps it cream perfectly choose good quality for extra depth
• Sugar: classic sweetness and helps give the bars structure use fine white sugar for the best mixing
• Egg: binds everything together and gives the dough its tender crumb choose fresh free range if you can
• Vanilla: for warmth and roundness pure extract really makes a difference here
• All purpose flour: forms the main structure choose a trusted brand for the best result
• Kraft Caramel Bits: the shortcut to gooey caramel centers you can swap for any good caramel candy but these melt evenly
• Regular salt: brings out each flavor and balances sweet with savory
• Sea salt: for finishing sprinkling on top gives each bite a satisfying sparkle and crunch Use flaky sea salt for best results

Let’s Cook This Together

Prepare Your Slow Cooker:

Spray the bottom of the slow cooker very generously with nonstick spray making sure to get into every corner and up the sides so nothing sticks

Make the Dough Base:

Cream together butter sugar and vanilla on medium speed with a stand or hand mixer until light and fluffy this unlocks air for a softer texture

Add Egg and Salt:

Crack in the egg then sprinkle in the regular salt Mix until everything is smooth and even this step ensures the cookie base holds together

Incorporate the Flour:

Add the flour one cup at a time mixing on low just until a soft slightly tacky dough forms do not overmix or the bars will be tough

Shape the Dough:

Lightly flour your hands and work surface then gather the dough into a ball Sprinkle with flour to keep it from sticking

Form the Bottom Layer:

Take a bit more than half the dough and press it in an even layer all across the base of your slow cooker If dough sticks sprinkle with a touch more flour

Add Caramel Bits:

Pour the caramel bits evenly over the pressed dough Make sure to spread them edge to edge so every bar gets gooey caramel inside

Crumble and Top:

Crumble the remaining dough over the caramel in rustic clumps Let some caramel peep through for little pockets of goo

Finish With Sea Salt:

Sprinkle over the sea salt as evenly as you can aim for a bit in each section For classic salted caramel taste this step is key

Slow Cook the Bars:

Put the lid on and set your slow cooker to low Let them cook for two to three hours until the edges are just turning golden and a knife slides out mostly clean from the center

Pin

Good to Know

• High in comfort and crowd pleasing for potlucks
• Can be doubled if your slow cooker is large enough
• Stays moist for days thanks to the caramel layer

Sea salt is always my favorite part It adds that surprise at the end of every sweet bite My grandmother would always finish desserts like this with a pinch of flaky salt a trick I use to this day and it never fails to impress

Keeping It Fresh

Store these bars in an airtight container at room temperature and they will stay soft for up to four days If you want them to last even longer tuck them in the fridge for a chewy chill or freeze portions for future sweet cravings The flavor only deepens over time so they are a great make ahead treat

Easy Ingredient Swaps

No caramel bits Use chopped soft caramel candies instead You can also use brown sugar in the dough for extra caramelized flavor For a nutty crunch add a handful of chopped pecans or walnuts directly over the caramel layer before crumbling on the top dough

Pin

How to Serve It Right

Let bars cool almost completely before slicing for the cleanest edges These are wonderful by themselves but serving them slightly warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream takes them to the next level For holiday trays cut into smaller bites and scatter with extra flakes of sea salt for sparkle

Behind the Dish

This recipe found its way into my kitchen on a snowbound afternoon as a way to combine favorite cookie flavors in a hands off style The slow cooker keeps the whole house smelling like warm caramel while freeing up the oven for other jobs This is now my go to for those comforting gatherings or when I want to surprise my family without fuss

Kitchen Wisdom

• Spraying your slow cooker well prevents any sticky mishaps when removing the bars
• Room temperature butter is essential for properly creamed dough and best texture
• Letting the bars set before cutting keeps the caramel from oozing out and gives sharp bakery style slices

Recipe FAQs

→ What type of caramel works best for these bars?

Kraft Caramel Bits are ideal since they melt evenly and distribute easily throughout the layers. Traditional soft caramels, chopped, can also be used if needed.

→ How do I know when the bars are done cooking?

The edges will appear lightly browned and a knife inserted in the center should come out mostly clean, indicating chewy centers without excessive moisture.

→ Can I substitute the sea salt topping?

You may use flaky salt for an added crunch and sparkle, or omit it for a purely sweet flavor. Adjust based on your taste preference.

→ Is it necessary to use a mixer for the dough?

Though a mixer makes the process easier, you may mix by hand with a sturdy spoon and some extra effort to fully blend the butter and sugar.

→ How should I store leftover bars?

Keep bars in an airtight container at room temperature for best texture. They remain soft and chewy for up to three days.