Super Cookie Bars

While strolling around pinterest the other day I stumbled upon this amazing recipe.  My mouth started to water as I read through the ingredients and I knew we had to make it.  This cookie bar is absolutely amazing.  Imagine every good thing you've ever had in a cooke bar, put it all together and you've got this bad boy.  We're talking peanut butter, chocolate chips, caramel sauce, toffee bits, oats, peanut butter chips and a sprinkle of coconut flakes.  I'm telling you, this thing is money.  I've taken a few liberties with this recipe.  I've made a few minor adjustments and added in coconut flakes.  I used to have a huge coconut flake aversion.  Almond Joy candy bars should never have happened.  I've recently discovered though that coconut flakes, in moderation and used strategically, can really enhance a recipe.  This is one of those.  I've also changed the name of this recipe.  Since I changed the recipe a little it's mine now and I can rename it, right?  The original name was too long and not that exciting - Peanut Butter Toffee Chocolate Chip Cookie Bar.  It needed a little help.  When I started pulling ingredients out to make these, my three year old ran into the kitchen with his super hero mask and cape on, eager to help.  He's my most dedicated little chef.  He knows the difference between a tablespoon and teaspoon and can recognize a handful of spices by smell now.  Plus he's great company!  I usually have a strict "food pictures only" policy with these posts, but if you'll excuse me for a personal minute, here are a few pictures of my little super chef.

As we mixed and stirred and talked about saving the world kind of stuff, I was feeling inspired by my little super chef and decided to rename these bars after him.  Not only are these bars super, but I always want to remember this afternoon spent cooking with my three year old superhero.  Now go give them a try and put a little super in your day!

Ingredients:

Caramel Filling

• 11 oz bag caramel bits
• 14 oz can sweetened condensed milk
• 4 TBS butter

Cookie Dough

• 12 TBS unsalted butter
• 2 c light brown sugar
• ½ c creamy peanut butter
• 2 eggs, room temperature
• 1 TBS vanilla
• 2 c flour
• 1 c old fashioned oats
• 2½ tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 cup chocolate chips
• 1 cup Reese's peanut butter chips
• 1 cup Heath toffee bits
• 1/2 cup shredded coconut

Directions:

1.Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

2.Line a 9x13 inch baking dish with parchment paper.

3.Unwrap caramels and place in a small saucepan with butter and sweetened condensed milk.

4.Cook over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until caramels have fully melted and the mixture is nice and smooth

5.Cream butter and sugar together in a large mixing bowl. Add peanut butter and continue mixing.

6.Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each egg. Add in vanilla.

7.Combine flour, oats, baking powder, and salt in a small mixing bowl.

8.Add the flour mixture slowly stirring until well combined.

9.Stir in the chocolate chips, peanut butter chips, and toffee bits.

10.Spread ⅔ of the dough on the bottom of the pan.

11.Slowly pour caramel mixture evenly over the dough.

12.Drop the remaining dough on top by the teaspoon. It doesn't have to be perfect!

13.Bake for about 30 minutes. Let cool and set completely before cutting.  I let it set for a couple of hours to make sure it didn't crumble and ooze apart when I cut it.

Source:  Mom On Timeout