Gooey Salted Caramel Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars Recipe
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.
- 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
