Caramelized Crispy Bar Cookies

Cookies

¾ cup (1½ sticks) unsalted butter

½ cup packed brown sugar

2 tablespoons cocoa powder

¼ teaspoon kosher salt

1 egg

1½ cups all-purpose flour

Topping

½ cup corn syrup

¼ cup (½ stick) unsalted butter

1 cup packed brown sugar

2 cups crisp rice cereal

Heat the oven to 350 degrees. Coat a 9-by-9-inch baking pan with cooking spray.

In a medium bowl, use an electric mixer to beat together the butter, brown sugar, cocoa powder and salt. Add the egg and mix until combined. Add in the flour and mix until a soft dough forms. Press the dough evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan. Bake 25-30 minutes, or until browned and no longer glossy.

Meanwhile, prepare the topping. In a medium saucepan over medium-high heat, melt together the corn syrup, butter and brown sugar. Bring to a boil and cook for 2 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the rice cereal. Gently spread the rice cereal mixture over the cooked crust, then allow to cool in the pan. Cut into small bars. Once cooled and cut, store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week.

Makes 2 dozen.

Nutrition values per serving: 180 calories, 8 g fat (5 g saturated, 0 trans), 30 mg cholesterol, 27 g carbohydrate, 0 fiber, 19 g sugar, 1 g protein, 50 mg sodium.

Associated Press