Gooey Salted Caramel Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars

The definition of pure bliss? Sinking your teeth into these luscious creamy caramel-chocolate treats!

1 cup butter, at room temperature

1 cup packed light brown sugar

1/2 cup granulated sugar

2 eggs

1 tsp. vanilla extract

1 tsp. kosher salt

1 tsp. baking soda

2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

2 cups semisweet chocolate chips

1 can (14 oz.) sweetened condensed milk

10 oz. soft caramels, such as Kraft, unwrapped, about 40 pieces

1 tsp. flaked sea salt

l Preheat oven to 350°F. Line 13"x9" baking dish with foil; coat generously with cooking spray. Mix butter and both sugars on medium speed 2 minutes, until fluffy.

l Add eggs, vanilla, salt and baking soda; mix until smooth. On low, add flour until combined. Stir in chocolate chips. Press half of dough into pan.

l In medium pot, combine condensed milk and caramels; cook over mediumlow heat, stirring often, until caramels are melted. Pour caramel mixture over dough in pan; drop remaining dough in teaspoonsize amounts evenly over caramel. Bake 25- 30 minutes until center is just set. Sprinkle with sea salt. Cool in pan before cutting. Store airtight at room temperature for up to 3 days. Servings: 30. Cals.: 271. Protein: 4 g. Fat: 12 g. (7 g. saturated). Chol.: 34 mg. Carbs.: 40 g. Sodium: 232 mg. Fiber: 1 g. Sugar: 30 g. Kitchen time: 35 minutes. Total time: 3 hours.