Caramel Stuffed M&M Cookie Bars

Caramel Stuffed M&M Cookie Bars

 

 

Ingredients:
2 cups flour
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp baking soda
12 Tbsp margarine (room temperature)
1 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup sugar
1 large egg plus 1 egg yolk (both room temperature)
2 tsp vanilla extract
2 cups M&Ms (approximately one regular bag ) reserving 1/2 cup for sprinkling on top
6 oz caramel candy squares (unwrapped)
3 Tbsp half and half

Directions:
1.  Preheat oven to 325 degrees.  Line an 8x8 pan with foil or parchment paper and lightly spray with nonstick spray (caramel is sti-iiiii-icky, y'all!)
2.  In a large bowl, mix flour, salt, and baking soda.  In a separate bowl, cream margarine and sugars. Add in egg, yolk and vanilla and beat until smooth.  Slowly add in dry ingredients until fully combined.  Stir in 1 1/2 cups of M&Ms.  
3.  Place unwrapped caramels and half and half in a small microwaveable bowl and heat for approximately 2 minutes stirring every 30 seconds until caramels have almost fully melted.  Continue to stir outside microwave until caramels have completely melted.
4.  Place 1/2 of cookie dough mixture in prepared pan and spread with the back of a spatula to cover bottom of dish.  Pour caramel layer on top and spread over cookie dough.  Drop spoonfuls of remaining cookie dough evenly over caramel layer and spread, careful not to mix with caramel.  Sprinkle with remaining M&Ms.
5.  Bake those bad boys for 25-30 minutes or until top cookie layer is just golden.  Let cool completely before cutting.  ( yeah, right!..... We enjoyed the most deliciously, gooey mess right out of the oven!  So worth it!)