CHOCOLATE CHIP SALTED CARAMEL COOKIE BARS

CHOCOLATE CHIP SALTED CARAMEL COOKIE BARS CARAMEL SAUCE 1/2 cup sugar 1/4 cup water 3 Tablespoons light corn syrup 1/2 cup heavy cream COOKIE DOUGH 1 cup butter 3/4 cup sugar 1 cup brown sugar 1 Tablespoon vanilla 2 egg 1/4 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon baking soda 3 cups flour 2 cups chocolate chips sea salt to taste Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a saucepan over medium heat, combine the first 3 ingredients {sugar, water, corn syrup}, stirring until sugar dissolves. Increase heat and continue to boil without stirring until the mixture becomes amber in color {approximately 10 minutes}. Remove from heat, add cream and return sauce to low heat until smooth. Set aside. Combine flour, salt and baking soda. Set aside. In a mixing bowl, combine butter, vanilla, sugar and brown sugar. Gently blend in eggs, careful not to overmix. Gradually add in flour mixture. Fold in chocolate chips. In a 9x13 greased pan, spread half of your cookie dough. Pour caramel sauce over dough and crack sea salt on top. Add the second layer of cookie dough and lightly top with sea salt. Bake 17-22 minutes. NOTES If you'd like a shortcut, replace the homemade caramel sauce in this recipe with your favorite jarred caramel sauce. I like to really watch these in the oven starting at the 17 minute mark. Usually mine are perfect at about 22 minutes- every oven is different! Don't overmix! Don't over bake if you want to keep that chewy, soft texture to these bars.