Salted Caramel Chocolate Chip Bars

These are the perfect mix of salty and sweet.  I got the recipe from Tracey's Culinary Creations.  I really like the caramel/chocolate combination.  I hope you do, too.  

Ingredients:

• 2 1/8 C. all-purpose flour
• ½ t. baking soda
• ½ t. salt
• 12 T. (1 ½ sticks) butter, melted
• 1 C. light brown sugar
• ½ C. sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 egg yolk
• 2 t. vanilla extract
• 1 ¼ C. chocolate chips
• 32 caramels
• 1 t. sea salt

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees
2. Line a 8” x 8” baking pan with foil, hanging over each side, and spray with cooking spray
3. In a medium bowl, whisk the flour, baking soda, and salt together
4. In a large bowl, whisk the butter, sugar, brown sugar, egg, egg yolk, and vanilla completely until incorporated
5. Add the dry ingredients to the wet, a little at a time, and use a rubber spatula to fold everything together (the batter will be very thick)
6. Fold in the chocolate chips
7. Transfer half of the mixture into the baking dish, spread into a layer
8. Place the caramels on top of the bottom layer and sprinkle with the sea salt
9. Use a small scoop to dollop the remaining cookie dough over the salted caramel
10. Press down gently with your fingertips to distribute  
11. Bake for 35 – 45 minutes, or until the bars are brown and firm to the touch

Tips and Tricks:

• This will make 16 bars (2’ x 2”).
• Allow the bars to cool in the baking pan before you remove them with the foil and cut into squares.