Coffee and Dessert - Salted Caramel Peanut Bars

This recipe is actually called salted caramel peanut thumbprint cookies, but both times I made them they just blended into one big cookie so I just cut them into squares. I figure you should save yourself some time and spread the dough out on the cookie sheet to bake. They are absolutely delicious and were a big hit at home and on Christmas day. These will now be a tradition for the holidays.

Salted Caramel Peanut Bars

2 cups all-purpose flour

1 cup butter, softened

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

2/3 cup sugar

1/3 cup plus 2 tablespoons heavy whipping cream

24 caramels, unwrapped

1 cup peanuts, roughly chopped

Sea salt, to taste

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F

2. Combine flour and sugar in a large mixing bowl or mixer, then beat in the butter and vanilla extract on medium speed. Spread dough on cookie sheet.

3. Bake for 12-14 minutes or until edges turn light brown. Cool for about 5 minutes then cut into squares and transfer to wire rack to cool completely.

5. Combine heavy cream and caramels in medium heavy saucepan. Stir the mixture over low heat until the caramels are melted and smooth.

6. Spread the melted caramel on the squares. Add sea salt and chopped peanuts on top of the caramel. Let sit for 10-15 minutes. Store in covered container in the refrigerator, being careful not to set squares on top of each other (they will stick together). I also froze some of the bars.