If you’re craving a dessert that’s a little chewy, a little crunchy, and packed with chocolatey, peanut buttery goodness, these Peanut Butter Caramel Toffee Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars are for you! They combine everything you love about toffee bars, Hershey chocolate, and peanut butter caramel into one heavenly bite.
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love These Toffee Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars
- One bowl, minimal effort. No fancy equipment required—just melt, mix, and bake!
- The perfect balance of sweet and salty. The rich peanut butter caramel pairs beautifully with chocolate and toffee.
- Perfectly chewy and crispy. A soft center with slightly crisp edges makes them completely irresistible.
- Make-ahead friendly. These bars actually taste even better after sitting overnight!
How to Make the Best Toffee Chocolate Bars
Ingredients You’ll Need:
These toffee chocolate bars are packed with flavor from simple pantry staples.
- Unsalted butter – Adds richness and a smooth texture.
- Creamy peanut butter – This helps create a peanut butter caramel flavor.
- Dark brown sugar – Deepens the flavor with its rich molasses notes.
- Egg + Egg yolk – Keeps the bars tender and chewy.
- Milk & Vanilla extract – Enhances the flavor and moisture.
- All-purpose flour, baking powder & sea salt – The foundation for perfect cookie bars.
- Toffee bits – Brings a delicious caramelized crunch.
- Semisweet chocolate chunks – Melts into the bars for a gooey, chocolatey bite.
- Flaky sea salt – Optional but highly recommended for extra depth of flavor.
(Exact measurements are in the recipe card below!)
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Preheat & Prep. Set your oven to 350°F. Line an 8×8-inch metal baking pan with parchment paper and lightly grease it with nonstick spray.
- Melt & Mix. In a large bowl, melt the butter and peanut butter together until smooth. Stir in the dark brown sugar while still warm. Let the mixture cool slightly.
- Whisk in Wet Ingredients. Add the egg, egg yolk, milk, and vanilla extract. Mix until fully incorporated.
- Add Dry Ingredients. Stir in the flour, baking powder, and sea salt with a rubber spatula until just combined.
- Fold in Goodness. Stir in three-quarters of the toffee bits and chocolate chunks.
- Press & Top. Evenly spread the dough into the prepared pan. Sprinkle the remaining toffee bits and chocolate chunks over the top.
- Optional: Chill for Best Flavor. Cover and refrigerate the pan overnight (or up to 3 days) for a deeper flavor and better texture.
- Bake & Cool. Bake for 26 minutes or until the edges turn golden brown. Let the bars cool in the pan for three hours before slicing (trust me, it’s worth it!).
- Enjoy! Cut into squares and serve with a sprinkle of flaky sea salt for extra deliciousness.
Expert Tips for Perfect Peanut Butter Caramel Bars
- Don’t skip the chilling step! It helps develop the best texture and flavor.
- Use high-quality chocolate. A good Hershey chocolate and toffee bar or semisweet chunks will melt beautifully.
- Store properly. Keep bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days or freeze for longer storage.
- Want extra peanut butter flavor? Swirl some melted peanut butter on top before baking!
Serving & Storing Tips
- How to serve: These bars pair beautifully with a cold glass of milk, a scoop of vanilla ice cream, or a drizzle of warm caramel sauce.
- Storing leftovers: Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days. If you want them to last longer, freeze in a sealed bag for up to 2 months.
- Reheating: Enjoy at room temp or warm in the microwave for 10-15 seconds for a gooey chocolate center.
FAQs–Peanut Butter Caramel Toffee Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars
1. Can I use crunchy peanut butter instead of creamy?
Yes! Crunchy peanut butter adds texture and nutty bites to these toffee chocolate bars.
2. Can I make these bars gluten-free?
Absolutely! Substitute a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend for the all-purpose flour.
3. What if I don’t have toffee bits?
You can chop up a Hershey chocolate and toffee bar or use caramel chips instead!
4. Can I double the recipe?
Yes, simply bake in a 9×13-inch pan and adjust the baking time to around 30-32 minutes.
5. Why do I have to wait 3 hours before cutting them?
It helps the flavors meld together and prevents crumbling—totally worth it!
More Delicious Desserts to Try
- Chocolate Caramel Cookie Brownie
- Dubai Chocolate Bar Recipe: A Decadent Treat You’ll Love
- Cake Bars That Will Make Your Taste Buds Dance
Final Thoughts–Peanut Butter Caramel Bars
These Peanut Butter Caramel Toffee Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars are a game-changer for any dessert lover. Whether you’re making them for a bake sale, a weekend treat, or just because—you’ll be hooked after one bite! Try them today, and let me know in the comments how they turned out!
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Peanut Butter Caramel Toffee Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars
These Peanut Butter Caramel Toffee Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars are a delightful fusion of rich flavors and textures. Each bite offers a harmonious blend of creamy peanut butter, gooey caramel, crunchy toffee bits, and melty chocolate chips, all nestled within a soft and chewy cookie base. Perfect for satisfying sweet cravings or impressing guests at gatherings, these bars are both indulgent and unforgettable.
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 24 bars 1x
Ingredients
For the Caramel Filling:
- 11 oz bag of vanilla caramelsBaby Gizmo+1Hugs and Cookies XOXO+1
- 14 oz can sweetened condensed milkBaby Gizmo+1Tastes Better From Scratch+1
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butterBaby Gizmo+1Hugs and Cookies XOXO+1
For the Cookie Dough:
- 12 tablespoons unsalted butter, softenedHugs and Cookies XOXO+1Baby Gizmo+1
- 2 cups light brown sugarBaby Gizmo+1Hugs and Cookies XOXO+1
- 1/2 cup creamy peanut butterBaby Gizmo+1Hugs and Cookies XOXO+1
- 2 large eggsBaby Gizmo+1Hugs and Cookies XOXO+1
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extractHugs and Cookies XOXO
- 2 cups all-purpose flourBaby Gizmo
- 1 cup old-fashioned oatsBaby Gizmo+1Hugs and Cookies XOXO+1
- 2 1/2 teaspoons baking powderHugs and Cookies XOXO+1Baby Gizmo+1
- 1 teaspoon saltHugs and Cookies XOXO+1Baby Gizmo+1
- 2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
- 1 cup peanut butter chipsBaby Gizmo+1Hugs and Cookies XOXO+1
- 1 cup toffee bits
Instructions
Prepare the Oven and Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13-inch baking dish with parchment paper, allowing some overhang for easy removal.
Make the Caramel Filling: In a saucepan over medium-low heat, combine the unwrapped caramels, sweetened condensed milk, and butter. Stir continuously until the mixture is smooth and the caramels have melted completely. Remove from heat and let it cool slightly.Baby Gizmo
Prepare the Cookie Dough Base: In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and light brown sugar until light and fluffy. Add the creamy peanut butter and mix until well combined.
Incorporate Eggs and Vanilla: Add the eggs one at a time to the butter-sugar mixture, mixing well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract.
Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, old-fashioned oats, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add this dry mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined.Baby Gizmo
Fold in Chips and Toffee: Gently fold in the semisweet chocolate chips, peanut butter chips, and toffee bits until evenly distributed.Baby Gizmo+1Hugs and Cookies XOXO+1
Assemble the Layers: Press approximately two-thirds of the cookie dough mixture evenly into the prepared baking dish to form the base layer. Pour the slightly cooled caramel mixture over this base, spreading it evenly. Drop spoonfuls of the remaining cookie dough over the caramel layer; it’s okay if some caramel peeks through.
Bake the Bars: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for about 30 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and set.
Cool and Serve: Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack. Once cooled, use the parchment overhang to lift the bars out of the pan and onto a cutting board. Slice into desired sizes and enjoy.
Notes
Storage: These bars can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days. For extended freshness, refrigerate for up to a week or freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw frozen bars at room temperature before serving.
Toffee Substitute: If toffee bits are unavailable, chopped Heath or Skor bars, or even chopped pretzels for a salty crunch, can be used as substitutes.Mom On Timeout
Serving Suggestion: For an extra indulgent treat, warm a bar slightly and top with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 446 kcal
- Sugar: 48g
- Sodium: 228mg
- Fat: 19 g
- Saturated Fat: 11g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 63g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 7g
- Cholesterol: 45mg