### Caramel Snickerdoodle Bars Recipe: A Sweet Delight
#### Introduction
Caramel snickerdoodle bars are a delicious twist on traditional cookies, combining the gooey caramel flavor with the classic cinnamon-sugar swirl of snickerdoodles. Perfect for holiday gatherings or as a special treat, these bars are sure to be a crowd-pleaser.
#### Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3/4 cup white granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
- 1/2 cup caramel sauce (store-bought or homemade)
- Additional granulated sugar for rolling
#### Instructions
##### Step 1: Prepare the Caramel Snickerdoodle Bars Dough
1. **Preheat Your Oven**: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. **Cream Butter and Sugar**: In a large bowl, cream together 1 cup of softened unsalted butter and 3/4 cups of white granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
3. **Add Eggs and Vanilla**: Beat in 2 eggs one at a time, followed by 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract.
##### Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients
4. **Combine Dry Ingredients**: In another bowl, mix together 1 1/4 cups of all-purpose flour, 1/2 teaspoon of baking powder, and 1/4 teaspoon of salt.
5. **Add Flour Mixture to Butter**: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture until just combined.
##### Step 3: Prepare the Snickerdoodle Topping
6. **Mix Cinnamon and Brown Sugar**: In a small bowl, mix together 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon with 1/2 cup packed brown sugar.
7. **Reserve Some for Topping**: Set aside about 2 tablespoons of this mixture to use as a topping later.
##### Step 4: Assemble the Bars
8. **Press Dough into Pan**: Press half of the dough into an ungreased 9x13-inch baking pan, smoothing it out evenly.
9. **Spread Caramel Sauce**: Pour 1/2 cup of caramel sauce over the dough and spread it out evenly with a spatula.
##### Step 5: Add Snickerdoodle Topping
10. **Add Reserved Snickerdoodle Mixture**: Sprinkle the reserved cinnamon-brown sugar mixture over the caramel.
11. **Top with Remaining Dough**: Press the remaining half of the dough over the top, covering everything evenly and pressing down gently.
##### Step 6: Bake and Cool
12. **Bake**: Bake the bars in the preheated oven for about 25-30 minutes or until lightly golden.
13. **Cool Completely**: Allow the bars to cool completely on a wire rack before cutting into squares.
#### Tips for Success
- Ensure your butter is at room temperature; this will make creaming much easier.
- Use a light hand when pressing down the dough and caramel sauce, as overworking can lead to tough bars.
- Letting the bars sit at room temperature after baking helps the caramel set properly.