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Cookies and Cream Caramel Layer Bars

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  • Prep Time 30 min
  • Total 4 hr 30 min
  • Ingredients 10
  • Servings 32
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Calling all fans of cookies and cream bars: You’ve never seen Pillsbury™ cookies do this before! These decadent layered bars combine candy bars, caramel and pecans for a dessert our Bake-Off® contest judges gave two thumbs up. (We bet you will, too!) Make these homemade cookies and cream bars with your little chefs for an afternoon of family fun.
Updated May 7, 2021
Bake-Off® Contest 48, 2018
Sandy Reiter
San Mateo, California
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Ingredients

  • 1 roll (16.5 oz) refrigerated Pillsbury™ Sugar Cookie Dough
  • 1/4 cup dark unsweetened baking cocoa
  • 4 crème-filled chocolate sandwich cookies, crushed
  • 1/3 cup white vanilla baking chips
  • 1 package (11 oz) caramel bits
  • 8 tablespoons heavy whipping cream
  • 3/4 cup pecans, coarsely chopped
  • 8 tablespoons butter
  • 3 cups powdered sugar
  • 3 bars (1.55 oz each) HERSHEY'S Cookies 'n' Creme Candy, broken into pieces

Steps

  •  
    1
    Heat oven to 350°F. Line 8-inch square (2-quart) baking dish or pan with foil; spray with cooking spray.
  •  
    2
    In medium bowl, crumble cookie dough; stir or knead in cocoa until well mixed. Stir or knead in crushed cookies and white vanilla baking chips. Press mixture evenly in bottom of baking dish. Bake 18 to 20 minutes or until set. Cool 20 minutes.
  •  
    3
    In medium microwavable bowl, microwave caramel bits and 2 tablespoons of the whipping cream uncovered on High 1 1/2 to 2 1/2 minutes, stirring every 30 seconds, until smooth. Carefully pour and spread caramel mixture evenly over cooled bar base. Sprinkle with pecans. Cool about 20 minutes or until caramel is set.
  •  
    4
    In medium microwavable bowl, microwave 6 tablespoons of the butter uncovered on High 30 to 60 seconds or until melted. Beat in powdered sugar and remaining 6 tablespoons whipping cream until smooth and creamy. Pour and spread evenly over pecans. Refrigerate about 1 hour or until set.
  •  
    5
    In small microwavable bowl, microwave candy bars and remaining 2 tablespoons butter uncovered on Medium (50%) 1 minute to 1 minute 30 seconds, stirring every 30 seconds, until smooth. Spread evenly over bars. Refrigerate about 2 hours or until center is firm. Let stand 30 minutes before cutting. Cut into 8 rows by 4 rows.

Tips from the Pillsbury Kitchens

  • tip 1
    For easy removal and cutting of bars, line pan with foil.
  • tip 2
    Be sure to allow for refrigeration and cooling times in between each step for best results!

Nutrition Information

240 Calories, 11g Total Fat, 2g Protein, 33g Total Carbohydrate, 26g Sugars

Nutrition Facts

Serving Size: 1 Bar
Calories
240
Calories from Fat
100
Total Fat
11g
17%
Saturated Fat
5g
26%
Trans Fat
0g
Cholesterol
15mg
5%
Sodium
135mg
6%
Potassium
70mg
2%
Total Carbohydrate
33g
11%
Dietary Fiber
0g
0%
Sugars
26g
Protein
2g
% Daily Value*:
Vitamin A
2%
2%
Vitamin C
0%
0%
Calcium
4%
4%
Iron
4%
4%
Exchanges:
1 Starch; 0 Fruit; 1 Other Carbohydrate; 0 Skim Milk; 0 Low-Fat Milk; 0 Milk; 0 Vegetable; 0 Very Lean Meat; 0 Lean Meat; 0 High-Fat Meat; 2 Fat;
Carbohydrate Choice
2
*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.

More About This Recipe

  • This is a fun twist on a nursery school bake-sale favorite. When I was raising small children, we were part of a co-op preschool where the parents were always present and the kids always got messy! As part of our ongoing efforts to raise money for the school, we had bake sales, auctions and theme parties, each requiring donated sweet treats. I have always loved to bake and never missed a chance to experiment in the kitchen. This recipe has been tweaked many times over the years. I’ve made these with different bases, nuts and all flavors of candy, depending on my mood and what I have on hand. Dessert bars are always a hit with kids and adults, and mine are easy, pretty and delicious!
  • Bake-Off is a registered trademark of The Pillsbury Company ©2018
  • The HERSHEY’S trademark and trade dress are used with permission
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