Go Back
–+ servings
Salted Caramel Cream Cheese Blondies (Easy Cookie Bar Recipe)

Salted Caramel Cream Cheese Blondies (Easy Cookie Bar Recipe)

These salted caramel cream cheese blondies are soft, chewy, and topped with creamy frosting and homemade caramel. An easy, no-chill cookie bar version of your favorite cookies.
Pin
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Resting Time: 1 hour
Total Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
Servings: 16 servings

Ingredients

Blondies

  • ¾ cup unsalted butter melted
  • ½ cup granulated sugar
  • ½ cup light brown sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon salt

Cream Cheese Frosting

  • 4 ounces cream cheese room temperature
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter room temperature
  • 1 tablespoon heavy cream
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 – 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar

Homemade Salted Caramel

  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 6 tablespoons unsalted butter cubed and room temp
  • ½ cup heavy cream room temp
  • 1 teaspoon salt

Topping

  • Flaky sea salt

Instructions

Make the Blondies:

  • Preheat oven to 350°F and line or grease a 9x9-inch baking pan.
  • Mix wet ingredients by whisking together melted butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar for 1–2 minutes until smooth.
  • Add eggs and vanilla and mix until fully combined.
  • Fold in dry ingredients (flour, cornstarch, baking powder, salt) until just combined. Do not overmix.
  • Spread batter evenly into prepared pan.
  • Bake for 25–30 minutes, until the top is lightly golden and a toothpick comes out clean.
  • Cool completely for at least 1 hour.

Make the Salted Caramel:

  • Add sugar to a saucepan over low heat, stirring constantly until fully melted and smooth.
  • Remove from heat and add butter. Stir until combined (it will bubble).
  • Add heavy cream and stir again until smooth.
  • Mix in salt and let cool slightly.

Make the Frosting:

  • Beat cream cheese, butter, and vanilla until smooth.
  • Add heavy cream, then gradually mix in powdered sugar until desired consistency.

Assemble:

  • Remove cooled blondies from pan.
  • Spread frosting evenly over top.
  • Drizzle 1/8–1/4 cup salted caramel over frosting.
  • Swirl gently and top with flaky sea salt.
  • Slice into 16 bars and enjoy.

Video