Introduction

These Gooey Salted Caramel Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars combine the best of rich chocolate, buttery cookie dough, and luscious caramel with a hint of sea salt for the perfect balance. They’re easy to make and irresistibly delicious, perfect for sharing or keeping all to yourself.

Gooey Salted Caramel Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients

2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking soda
0.5 tsp salt
0.75 cup unsalted butter (softened)
1 cup brown sugar (packed)
0.5 cup granulated sugar
2 eggs (large)
2 tsp vanilla extract
1.5 cups chocolate chips
1 cup thick caramel sauce
Flaky sea salt (for topping)

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking pan with parchment paper, allowing some overhang for easy removal.
Step 2: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt until well combined.
Step 3: In a separate large bowl, cream the softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar together until light and fluffy. Then add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition, followed by the vanilla extract.
Step 4: Gradually mix the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients until just combined. Fold in the chocolate chips evenly.
Step 5: Spread half of the cookie dough evenly into the prepared pan. Spoon the caramel sauce over the dough, spreading gently to cover. Top with the remaining cookie dough, spreading it out carefully.
Step 6: Bake for 25-30 minutes or until the edges are set and the center is still slightly soft but not raw.
Step 7: Remove from the oven and immediately sprinkle the top with flaky sea salt. Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan before lifting out and slicing.

Tips & Variations

Use a high-quality thick caramel sauce or homemade caramel for the best gooey texture and flavor.
For extra texture, toss the chocolate chips with a tablespoon of flour before folding them into the dough to prevent sinking.
Add chopped nuts like pecans or walnuts for a crunchy contrast.
If you prefer a less sweet treat, reduce the granulated sugar slightly or use dark chocolate chips.

Storage

Store the cookie bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, refrigerate for up to a week or freeze for up to 3 months. When reheating, warm briefly in the microwave or oven to restore the gooey caramel and soft texture.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted?

Yes, but reduce the added salt slightly to avoid the bars becoming too salty since salted butter adds extra salt.

How do I know when the bars are fully baked?

The edges should be golden and set, while the center remains soft but not raw. They will firm up more as they cool, so avoid overbaking to keep them gooey.

Gooey Salted Caramel Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars Recipe

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★★★★★

4.5 from 136 reviews

These Gooey Salted Caramel Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars combine soft, buttery cookie dough with luscious caramel layers and a sprinkle of flaky sea salt for the perfect sweet and salty dessert bar. They bake up with a chewy edge, gooey center, and a delightful contrast of rich chocolate chips and creamy caramel sauce.

Author: Maya
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Total Time: 50 minutes
Yield: 16 bars 1x
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale

Dry Ingredients

2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking soda
0.5 tsp salt

Wet Ingredients

0.75 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 cup brown sugar, packed
0.5 cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs
2 tsp vanilla extract

Add-ins & Toppings

1.5 cups chocolate chips
1 cup thick caramel sauce
Flaky sea salt, for topping

Instructions

Preheat Oven and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking pan (9×13 inches recommended) with parchment paper, leaving some overhang for easy removal of the bars.
Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt until well combined.
Cream Butter and Sugars: In a large bowl, using an electric mixer or by hand, cream the softened unsalted butter with the brown sugar and granulated sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. This should take about 3-4 minutes.
Add Eggs and Vanilla: Beat in the eggs one at a time, ensuring each is fully incorporated, then add the vanilla extract and mix until smooth.
Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients, mixing just until combined to avoid overworking the dough. Fold in the chocolate chips evenly throughout the mixture.
Layer Dough and Caramel: Spread half of the cookie dough evenly in the prepared baking pan. Drizzle and spread the thick caramel sauce over the dough layer. Then, dollop and gently spread the remaining cookie dough over the caramel layer, trying to cover as much as possible.
Bake: Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the edges are set and golden brown but the center remains soft and slightly gooey.
Add Topping and Cool: Remove from oven and immediately sprinkle flaky sea salt over the warm top. Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack before slicing into squares.

Notes

For best results, use a thick caramel sauce to prevent it from seeping into the cookie layers too much.
You can substitute chocolate chips with chunks or a mix of milk and dark chocolate for variation.
Ensure the butter is softened but not melted to achieve the right texture when creaming.
Allow bars to cool completely before slicing to maintain structure and prevent crumbling.
Store bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for longer freshness.

Keywords: salted caramel, chocolate chip, cookie bars, dessert bars, easy cookie bars, caramel chocolate dessert