Gooey Salted Caramel Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars Recipe

Heavenly Salted Caramel Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars Recipe

Decadent chocolate chip cookie bars with a salted caramel twist offer the ultimate sweet-and-salty indulgence.

These gooey salted caramel chocolate chip cookie bars blend rich chocolate and silky caramel into one irresistible treat.

Layers of molten chocolate mingle with ribbons of golden caramel, creating a dessert that melts in your mouth.

Soft, chewy edges give way to a center that’s pure bliss, punctuated by pockets of sea salt.

Each square promises a symphony of flavors that dance between sweet and savory.

The combination of classic chocolate chip comfort and luxurious caramel elevates this dessert from simple to spectacular.

You won’t be able to resist these addictive bars that redefine cookie perfection.

  • Caramel Drizzle Magic: Warm your caramel sauce slightly before drizzling over the bars for a smooth, glossy finish that spreads perfectly.
  • Oat Flour Swap: Replace half the all-purpose flour with oat flour for a nuttier flavor and added gluten-free friendly option for those with dietary restrictions.
  • Make-Ahead Brilliance: Prepare the dough ahead of time and refrigerate for up to 24 hours to enhance the depth of flavor and allow ingredients to meld together beautifully.
  • Texture Tricks: For chewier bars, slightly underbake by removing from the oven when edges are golden but center still looks slightly soft, as they'll continue cooking while cooling.
  • Dairy-Free Adaptation: Substitute butter with coconut oil and use dairy-free chocolate chips to create a delicious version suitable for those avoiding dairy products.
  • Sweet Dessert Companion: Serve these decadent bars with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream for a rich, creamy contrast that melts beautifully against the warm cookie bars.
  • Gourmet Coffee Pairing: Enjoy alongside a steaming mug of dark roast coffee or espresso, which complements the deep chocolate and caramel notes in the bars.
  • Elegant Presentation Trick: Cut into neat squares and dust lightly with sea salt flakes or powdered sugar to enhance the salted caramel flavor and create a stunning visual appeal.
  • Post-Dinner Delight: Offer as a luxurious after-dinner treat with a small glass of chocolate liqueur or bourbon to elevate the dessert experience and bring out the complex flavor profile.
  • Quick Refrigeration Strategy: Store cookie bars in an airtight container inside the refrigerator for up to 5 days, maintaining their delectable texture and preventing moisture loss.
  • Freezing Fantastic Technique: Wrap individual bars tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container to freeze for 2-3 months, ensuring delicious treats are always ready.
  • Room Temperature Charm: Keep bars at room temperature in a sealed container for 2-3 days, separating layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking and maintain freshness.
  • Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare the entire batch of dough up to 3 days before baking, storing it covered in the refrigerator to develop richer, more complex flavors and save preparation time.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 50 minutes

Calories: 384 kcal

Servings: 13

For The Base:
  • All-Purpose Flour: Provides structure and ensures a tender, soft texture in the cookie bars.
  • Baking Soda: Helps the bars rise and creates a light, airy consistency.
  • Salt: Enhances the overall flavor and balances the sweetness of the cookie bars.
For Sweetness And Moisture:
  • Brown Sugar, Granulated Sugar: Adds deep caramel notes and creates a chewy, moist texture.
  • Melted Butter: Brings richness and helps bind ingredients together smoothly.
For Texture And Flavor Boost:
  • Rolled Oats: Introduces a hearty, wholesome element and adds delightful chewiness.
  • Chocolate Chips: Delivers pockets of melty, decadent chocolate throughout the bars.
  • Vanilla Extract: Provides a warm, aromatic background flavor that complements the other ingredients.
For Binding:
  • Eggs: Acts as a crucial binding agent and contributes to the bars' rich, smooth consistency.
  • 9×13-inch baking pan: Essential for creating the perfect bar cookie shape and size.
  • Parchment paper: Helps easily remove bars and prevents sticking.
  • Large mixing bowl: Perfect for combining wet ingredients smoothly.
  • Separate medium bowl: Ideal for mixing dry ingredients separately.
  • Whisk: Great for blending wet ingredients to a silky consistency.
  • Spatula or wooden spoon: Helps fold in oats and chocolate chips gently.
  • Measuring cups and spoons: Ensures accurate ingredient proportions.
  • Oven: Necessary for baking the cookie bars to golden perfection.
  • Prepare Baking Station

Warm up your oven to a toasty 350F. Grab a rectangular baking pan and give it a quick spray or line it with parchment paper for easy cleanup.

  • Create Smooth Mixture

Melt some butter and blend it with brown and white sugars until silky and gorgeous. Crack in eggs and splash of vanilla, stirring until everything looks perfectly combined.

  • Blend Dry Elements

In another bowl, quickly mix flour, baking soda, and a pinch of salt. These dry ingredients will give your bars incredible texture.

  • Combine Wet and Dry

Gently fold dry ingredients into your sugar mixture. Don’t overmix – you want a tender, soft dough that’s just coming together.

  • Add Delicious Extras

Sprinkle in rolled oats and chocolate chips. Stir them through so every bite will have a delightful crunch and sweet chocolate surprise.

  • Bake to Perfection

Pour the dough into your prepared pan. Slide into the preheated oven and bake until edges turn golden and center looks set. Let cool slightly before cutting into irresistible bars.

Print
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Gooey Salted Caramel Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars Recipe

Gooey Salted Caramel Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars


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4.6 from 32 reviews

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

Description

Gourmet salted caramel chocolate chip cookie bars blend rich chocolate and buttery caramel in a delightful dessert. Sweet and salty notes create an irresistible treat revealing delicious layers of comfort and indulgence you will crave.


Ingredients

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

Instructions

  1. Preparation: Coat a 9×13-inch pan with non-stick spray or line with parchment paper, ensuring complete coverage for effortless bar removal.
  2. Butter Fusion: Whisk melted butter with brown and granulated sugars until the mixture develops a glossy, luxurious texture that promises rich flavor depth.
  3. Liquid Foundation: Blend eggs and vanilla extract into the sugar mixture, creating a smooth, cohesive base that will elevate the entire dessert’s taste profile.
  4. Dry Ingredient Harmony: Sift flour, baking soda, and salt together, crafting a delicate powder blend that will provide structural support and balanced consistency.
  5. Ingredient Marriage: Fold dry ingredients into wet mixture with minimal stirring, preventing gluten overdevelopment and maintaining the bars’ signature tender crumb.
  6. Textural Enrichment: Gently fold in rolled oats and chocolate chips, ensuring even distribution for a perfect balance of crunch and sweetness in every bite.
  7. Baking Transformation: Spread the mixture evenly in the prepared pan, then bake in a preheated oven at 350F (175C) for 25-30 minutes, allowing the bars to develop golden edges and a soft, chewy center.

Notes

  • Prevent Gluten Overdevelopment: Mix wet and dry ingredients just until combined, stopping when no flour streaks remain to maintain a tender, soft texture.
  • Enhance Chocolate Distribution: Toss chocolate chips with a tablespoon of flour before adding to prevent sinking and ensure even spread throughout the bars.
  • Master Caramel Swirl Technique: Drizzle salted caramel sauce in zigzag patterns before baking for visually stunning and flavor-packed cookie bars.
  • Achieve Perfect Doneness: Check bars at the 25-minute mark by inserting a toothpick near the center; slight moist crumbs indicate ideal baking, preventing dry, overcooked results.
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Category: Desserts, Snacks
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 13
  • Calories: 384
  • Sugar: 25 g
  • Sodium: 150 mg
  • Fat: 19 g
  • Saturated Fat: 11 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 49 g
  • Fiber: 2 g
  • Protein: 4 g
  • Cholesterol: 45 mg
Olivia Bennett

Olivia Bennett

Co-Founder & Content Creator

Expertise

Nutritional Analysis​, Dietary Accommodations​, Food Writing and Blogging​,

Education

University of Texas at Austin

  • Degree: Bachelor of Science in Nutrition
  • Focus: Emphasis on dietary planning, food science, and the relationship between nutrition and health.​

Institute of Culinary Education, New York, NY

  • Program: Plant-Based Culinary Arts Certificate
  • Focus: Specialized training in vegetarian and vegan cooking techniques, emphasizing whole foods and sustainability.​

Olivia Bennett is Cooking Crusade’s go-to expert for nutritious, feel-good food. Based in Austin, she blends her degree in Nutrition from the University of Texas with plant-based culinary training from the Institute of Culinary Education.

Olivia’s recipes are all about balance: vibrant, wholesome, and easy-to-love dishes that work for all kinds of eaters. Her mission is simple: to make healthy eating approachable and genuinely tasty, with tips that support your lifestyle, not complicate it.

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