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German Chocolate Cookie Bars Recipe

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4.2 from 71 reviews

Delight in these decadent German Chocolate Cookie Bars featuring a rich chocolate cookie crust topped with smooth caramel, sweet coconut flakes, crunchy pecans, and melty semi-sweet chocolate chips. Perfect for dessert lovers craving the classic flavors of German chocolate cake in an easy-to-make bar form.

  • Total Time: 40 minutes
  • Yield: 16 bars

Ingredients

Crust

  • 15.25 ounces German chocolate cake mix (1 box)
  • 3/4 cup butter (melted)
  • 1/2 cup milk

Caramel Topping

  • 11 ounces soft caramels
  • 1/2 cup milk

Toppings

  • 1 cup sweetened coconut flakes
  • 1 cup pecans (chopped)
  • 1 1/2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips

Instructions

  1. Prepare the pan and preheat oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F. Spray a 9-inch by 13-inch cake pan with non-stick spray and line it with parchment paper to ensure easy removal of the bars later.
  2. Mix the crust batter: In a large mixing bowl, combine melted butter, 1/2 cup of milk, and the German chocolate cake mix. Stir thoroughly until the batter is sticky but well combined. Use a rubber spatula to spread the batter evenly into the prepared pan.
  3. Bake the crust: Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake the crust for 15 minutes until set.
  4. Melt the caramel: While the crust bakes, place the soft caramels and remaining 1/2 cup milk into a microwave-safe bowl. Heat in 1-minute increments, stirring after each session until the caramel is smooth and completely melted, which should take about 2.5 minutes.
  5. Assemble the bars: Remove the crust from the oven and pour the melted caramel evenly over the surface. Then evenly sprinkle the sweetened coconut flakes, chopped pecans, and semi-sweet chocolate chips on top of the caramel layer.
  6. Bake the assembled bars: Return the pan to the oven and bake for an additional 15 minutes to meld the toppings together.
  7. Cool the bars: Remove the pan from the oven and let the bars cool completely on a wire rack within the pan.
  8. Cut and store: Once cooled, use the parchment paper to lift the bars out of the pan. Cut into 16 equal bars with a sharp knife. Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 5 days.

Notes

  • Using parchment paper makes it easier to remove the bars from the pan without breaking.
  • Microwave caramels carefully in short increments to avoid burning.
  • Store bars at room temperature or refrigerate to keep them fresh longer.
  • Chopped pecans can be substituted with walnuts or omitted for nut-free versions.
  • Author: ELLA
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Find it online: https://ellarecipe.com/german-chocolate-cookie-bars-recipe/