Chocolate Cookie Bars (5 Layers)
Easy chocolate cookie bars recipe, composed of 5 layers and made with simple ingredients. These dessert bars are packed with cookies, caramel, chocolate, pecans and buttercream.
Servings: 32 Bars
Calories: 208kcal
Ingredients
- 1 package Refrigerated cookies ‘n’ creme cookie dough 16 oz, Pillsbury brand
- ¼ cup Cocoa powder
- 11 oz Caramel bits
- 8 tablespoon Heavy cream
- ¾ cup Pecans Roughly chopped
- 8 tablespoon Butter Unsalted
- 3 cups Powdered sugar
- 3 bars HERSHEY'S cookies 'n' creme candy 1.55 oz each
Instructions
- Heat oven to 350 degrees F
- In a mixing bowl, crumble cookie dough and knead in cocoa powder until well mixed.
- Press evenly in bottom of an 8 inch square baking dish.
- Bake 18 to 20 minutes or until set. Cool 20 minutes.
- In a microwavable bowl, add caramel bits and 2 tablespoons of the whipping cream and heat uncovered on High 1 ½ to 2 ½ minutes. Be sure to stir every 30 seconds, until smooth.
- Pour and spread caramel mixture evenly over cooled bar base.
- Sprinkle with pecans. Cool about 20 minutes or until caramel is set.
- In a microwavable bowl, microwave 6 tablespoons of the butter uncovered on High 30 to 40 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.
- 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 for about 2 hours or until center is firm.
- Cut into 8 rows by 4 rows with a sharp knife. Enjoy!
Video
Notes
- Cocoa powder is not the same as hot cocoa powder. Make sure you are using the correct powder.
- Please don't replace heavy cream with evaporated milk or half and half. I tried and it wasn't successful.
- Do not even attempt to cut slices until all the layers have completely set and become firm or else you will end up with a sticky crumbly mess.
- You can try other flavors of cookie dough for the base. They can be homemade from scratch too.
- Try other nuts instead of pecans for a different flavor profile such as walnuts or almonds or pistachios.
- Read additional tips and variations above.
- Leftovers can be stored in a sealed container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Nutrition
Calories: 208kcal | Carbohydrates: 33g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 14mg | Sodium: 79mg | Potassium: 57mg | Sugar: 28g | Vitamin A: 150IU | Calcium: 20mg | Iron: 0.4mg