A Rich Season

If you don't feel rich after Thanksgiving, maybe at least these bars will make you feel rich.  They are called Cookie Dough Billionaire Bars.  Let me tell you, they are SOOOO good!  They were actually adapted from a cookbook that I was given for our wedding, The Cookie Dough Lovers Cookbook.  I really MUST pull that cookbook off the shelf and use it more...and soon!  :-) 

I mean, I love anything with cookie dough in it but these were super good.  I actually made these for one of my co-workers.  She joked with David that I hadn't made her a treat for her birthday; so, of course, I felt like I had to make her something (even though I knew she was joking).  After David took these to her, she texted me that they were probably the best thing she had eaten and wanted the recipe.  These are definitely a little better chilled but will suffice any time. If you need a good Christmas party recipe, these fit the bill. 

Cookie Dough Billionaire Bars adapted from Bake or Break
For shortbread:
1/3 cup unsalted butter, softened
1/3 cup granulated sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup all-purpose flour

For caramel:
7 ounces soft caramel candies (I used the caramel bits, AWESOME product!)
2 tablespoons heavy cream or almond milk

For cookie dough:
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup light brown sugar, packed
2 tablespoons almond milk
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup mini semisweet chocolate chips

For chocolate glaze:
4 ounces semisweet chocolate
1 tablespoon unsalted butter

To make shortbread:

Preheat oven to 350°. Line an 8-inch square baking pan with parchment paper, leaving about a 1-inch overhang on 2 sides. Using an electric mixer on medium speed, beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add vanilla and salt, beating until combined. Add flour and mix until combined. (Dough may be crumbly.)

Press dough into bottom of prepared pan. Using a fork, poke shallow holes into the dough. Bake 18-22 minutes, or until edges are golden. Cool on wire rack.

To make caramel:

Place caramel and cream in a small saucepan over medium heat. Cook, stirring constantly, until melted. Pour over shortbread and spread evenly. Refrigerate about an hour, or until set.

To make cookie dough:

Using an electric mixer on medium speed, beat butter, sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Add cream and vanilla, and mix well. Reduce mixer speed to low and add flour and salt, mixing until combined. Stir in chocolate chips.Using a spatula, spread cookie dough evenly on top of caramel layer. Place in refrigerator while making the glaze.

To make chocolate glaze:

Place chocolate and butter in a microwave-safe bowl. Heat at half power in 30-second increments until chocolate melts when stirred. Spread evenly over cookie dough layer. Chill about 30 minutes, or until set.

Using the edges of the parchment paper, lift the bars out of the pan and onto a cutting board. Use a sharp knife to cut into squares.Keep bars refrigerated in an airtight container.  Enjoy!

Notes

Recipe adapted from The Cookie Dough Lover's Cookbook.