Irresistible Gooey Salted Caramel Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars Recipe

When chocolate chip cookies meet salted caramel in a decadent bar recipe, pure magic happens.

These irresistible salted caramel chocolate chip cookie bars combine rich, chewy textures with a perfect sweet-salty balance.

Each bite delivers a luxurious blend of melted chocolate and buttery caramel that melts right on your tongue.

Soft, gooey centers contrast beautifully with slightly crisp edges, creating an unbeatable dessert experience.

The hidden caramel layer adds an unexpected twist that elevates these bars from ordinary to extraordinary.

Chocolate lovers and caramel fans will absolutely swoon over this indulgent treat.

Prepare to fall in love with the most addictive dessert you’ll make this season.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 50 minutes

Calories: 360 kcal

Servings: 12

Ingredients That Make Salted Caramel Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars Shine

• All-Purpose Flour: Provides structure and foundation for the cookie base, select unbleached flour for better texture.
• Rolled Oats: Adds hearty, rustic texture and nutty flavor, choose old-fashioned oats for best results.
• Baking Soda: Essential leavening agent that helps cookies rise and become light.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances sweetness.

• Butter: Creates rich, tender base and adds luxurious flavor, use high-quality unsalted butter.
• Brown Sugar: Delivers deep caramel notes and moisture, darker varieties provide more intense flavor.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds warm, aromatic complexity, pure extract delivers superior taste.
• Caramel Sauce: Provides gooey, indulgent layer, select thick, smooth commercial or homemade sauce.

• Chocolate Chips: Brings delightful melty pockets of sweetness, semi-sweet works best for balanced flavor.
• Sea Salt: Elevates caramel's depth and creates flavor contrast, flaky varieties add beautiful texture.
• Parchment Paper: Ensures easy removal and prevents sticking, trim edges for clean presentation.

Equipment Checklist for Salted Caramel Cookie Bars

• 8×8-inch baking dish: Essential for creating perfectly sized cookie bars.
• Parchment paper: Helps easily remove bars from the pan without sticking.
• Mixing bowl: Crucial for combining dry and wet ingredients smoothly.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Ensures precise ingredient quantities.
• Wooden spoon or spatula: Perfect for mixing and spreading dough evenly.
• Cooling rack: Helps bars cool quickly and maintain their crisp texture.
• Sharp knife: Needed for cutting clean, neat bar squares.

Bake Salted Caramel Cookie Bars in Simple Steps

• Prepare Baking Canvas

Warm up the oven to 350F. Line a square baking pan with parchment paper, letting edges hang over for easy removal.

• Craft Cookie Foundation

Mix dry ingredients in a bowl. Blend melted butter, brown sugar, and vanilla until a soft dough forms.

• Build Base Layer

Press half the dough into the pan’s bottom. Bake for 10 minutes to create a firm foundation.

• Create Decadent Middle

Sprinkle chocolate chips across the warm base. Drizzle caramel sauce evenly over chips. Dust with sea salt for a flavor explosion.

• Crown with Remaining Dough

Crumble remaining cookie dough on top, leaving some caramel peeking through. Return to oven and bake 15-20 minutes until golden and bubbling.

• Transform and Serve

Let bars cool completely in the pan. Use parchment edges to lift out. Slice into squares and enjoy the gooey, rich dessert that combines sweet caramel, rich chocolate, and buttery cookie layers.

Pro Tips for Salted Caramel Chocolate Chip Bars

• Perfect Caramel Technique: Warm caramel sauce slightly before pouring to ensure smooth, even distribution across chocolate chips for maximum flavor infusion.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare cookie bars up to 3 days in advance and store in an airtight container at room temperature to maintain their delicious texture and taste.
• Gluten-Free Swap: Replace regular flour with gluten-free all-purpose flour blend and ensure certified gluten-free oats for celiac-friendly version without compromising taste.
• Dairy-Free Delight: Substitute butter with coconut oil or vegan butter alternative and use dairy-free chocolate chips to create a plant-based friendly dessert that everyone can enjoy.
• Extra Flavor Boosters: Experiment with adding chopped nuts like pecans or almonds between caramel and chocolate layers for added crunch and depth of flavor profile.

Serving Up Salted Caramel Cookie Bars Sweetly

• Dessert Accompaniment Paradise: Pair these decadent bars with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream for a heavenly temperature contrast that melts deliciously together.
• Beverage Bliss: Serve alongside a rich espresso or creamy cappuccino to balance the sweet caramel and chocolate notes, creating a perfect afternoon indulgence.
• Gifting Greatness: Wrap individual bars in cute parchment paper with twine for homemade hostess gifts or weekend brunch treats that will wow friends and family.
• Textural Topping Magic: Sprinkle crushed sea salt caramel popcorn or toasted chopped nuts on top for an extra crunch that elevates the cookie bars' incredible flavor profile.

Storage Advice for Salted Caramel Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars

• Smart Storage Solutions: Keep cookie bars in an airtight container at room temperature for 3-4 days, maintaining their delectable texture and flavor.
• Freezing Magic: Wrap individual bars in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. They'll stay delicious for up to 2 months – perfect for future sweet cravings.
• Refrigeration Tip: Chilled bars develop a denser, more intense caramel flavor. Store in the fridge for a rich, decadent treat that's slightly firmer than room temperature bars.
• Make-Ahead Genius: Prepare the dough and assemble the bars a day before baking. Refrigerate the unbaked mixture, then pop directly into the oven when ready to enjoy fresh, warm dessert bars.

Gooey Salted Caramel Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars

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4.8 from 27 reviews

• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: 13 1x

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Description

Rich salted caramel chocolate chip cookie bars merge sweet and salty flavors in a delightful dessert. Gooey chocolate and caramel create a mouthwatering treat that satisfies most intense cookie cravings.

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Ingredients

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• 1 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 2 large eggs
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 cups rolled oats
• 1 ½ cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 1 cup brown sugar, packed
• 1 cup caramel sauce (store-bought or homemade)
• ½ cup granulated sugar
• 1 tbsp vanilla extract
• 1 tsp baking soda
• ½ tsp salt
• ½ tsp flaky sea salt, plus more for topping

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Instructions

1. Preparation: Preheat oven to 350F (175C) and line an 8-inch square baking pan with parchment paper, allowing overhang for easy removal.
2. Dry Mixture: Thoroughly combine flour, oats, baking soda, and salt in a mixing bowl, creating a uniform dry foundation.
3. Dough Creation: Blend melted butter, brown sugar, and vanilla extract into the dry ingredients, mixing until a consistent, malleable dough forms.
4. Base Layer: Press half the dough evenly into the prepared pan, creating a compact, smooth foundation. Bake for 10 minutes until lightly set.
5. Flavor Layering: Generously distribute chocolate chips across the partially baked base, followed by a strategic drizzle of caramel sauce, ensuring comprehensive coverage.
6. Seasoning: Sprinkle sea salt over the caramel and chocolate layer to intensify the flavor complexity.
7. Topping Assembly: Crumble remaining dough across the surface, creating an artful, rustic pattern with intentional open spaces.
8. Final Baking: Return to the oven and bake 15-20 minutes until the surface achieves a rich, golden-brown hue.
9. Cooling and Serving: Allow complete cooling in the pan to stabilize structure, then lift out using parchment edges and slice into precise, uniform segments.

Notes

• Prevent Sticking: Line the baking pan with parchment paper, letting edges hang over for easy removal and clean cutting.
• Achieve Perfect Texture: Press the base layer firmly and evenly to create a compact, uniform foundation that bakes consistently.
• Balance Flavor Intensely: Sprinkle sea salt strategically to enhance the caramel’s depth and create a sophisticated sweet-salty contrast.
• Ensure Optimal Baking: Allow bars to cool completely in the pan, which helps set the structure and prevents crumbling when slicing.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 13
• Calories: 370
• Sugar: 28 g
• Sodium: 210 mg
• Fat: 18 g
• Saturated Fat: 11 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 50 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 4 g
• Cholesterol: 40 mg