Salted Caramel Cookie Bars

Crust

2 cups butter, softened

1 cup white sugar

1.5 cups powdered sugar

1 Tablespoon +1.4 teaspoon vanilla extract

4 cups floor

Caramel Layer

1 bag caramels (~40), unwrapped

1/3 cup heavy whipping cream

3/4 tsp vanilla extract

Coarse Sea Salt to taste

1. Heat oven to 325. 

2. In a stand mixer, combine butter and sugars until creamy. Add vanilla to sugar mixture. Slowly add in flour. 

3. Line cake pan with parchment paper. Press half the dough into the bottom of the pan Put the other half in the fridge). Bake for 15 minutes. Remove from oven and set aside.

4. In medium bowl combine caramels, whipping cream and vanilla. Use a double boiler or microwave to melt the caramel and combine the ingredients. Once melted pour evenly over the cooked crust. Sprinkle sea salt over caramel layer. Crumble the remaining dough evenly over the caramel.

5. Bake and additional 30 minutes. Remove from oven and let cool completely before cutting into squares.