These Salted Caramel Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars are the ultimate indulgence, combining the classic flavors of soft, chewy chocolate chip cookies with rich, gooey salted caramel. They’re perfect for when you want to treat yourself to something special or impress guests at a gathering. With a buttery cookie base, a caramel center, and a sprinkle of sea salt on top, these bars offer the perfect balance of sweet and salty. Simple to make and utterly delicious, they’re sure to become a favorite dessert recipe.
Get ready to indulge with these Salted Caramel Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars. Combining all the elements of a perfect treat—chewy cookie dough, gooey caramel, and a hint of sea salt—these bars are everything you crave in a dessert. Perfect for parties, potlucks, or simply treating yourself, they’re rich, decadent, and bursting with flavor.
INGREDIENTS
- Unsalted butter: 1 cup, softened, for a rich and creamy base
- Brown sugar: 1 cup, packed, for a deep sweetness
- Granulated sugar: 1/2 cup, adding sweetness
- Large eggs: 2, for binding the dough
- Vanilla extract: 2 teaspoons, for flavor depth
- All-purpose flour: 2 1/4 cups, providing structure
- Baking soda: 1 teaspoon, for leavening
- Salt: 1/2 teaspoon, to balance sweetness
- Chocolate chips: 1 cup, for melty, rich chocolate
- Salted caramel sauce: 1/2 cup, store-bought or homemade, for gooey caramel layers
- Sea salt: for topping, to enhance the sweet and salty contrast
INSTRUCTIONS
- Step 1:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9x13 inch baking pan.
- Step 2:
- In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
- Step 3:
- Mix in the eggs, one at a time, followed by the vanilla extract.
- Step 4:
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add this mixture to the wet ingredients until just combined.
- Step 5:
- Gently fold in the chocolate chips.
- Step 6:
- Spread half of the cookie dough evenly in the prepared pan. Drizzle half of the salted caramel sauce over the dough.
- Step 7:
- Drop spoonfuls of the remaining cookie dough on top of the caramel layer. Drizzle with the remaining caramel sauce and sprinkle with sea salt.
- Step 8:
- Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the edges are golden and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out mostly clean. Allow to cool completely in the pan before cutting into bars.
Serving and Storage Tips
- These bars are best enjoyed at room temperature, allowing the caramel to stay gooey and the flavors to blend perfectly.
- Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Helpful Notes
- To make your own salted caramel sauce, simply melt sugar in a pan until golden, add butter and cream, and finish with a pinch of sea salt.
- Be careful not to overbake—these bars are meant to be chewy and slightly gooey in the center.
Tips from Well-Known Chefs
- For extra flavor, consider browning the butter before mixing it with the sugars, a popular technique among professional bakers to enhance richness.
Why You’ll Love These Salted Caramel Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars
These bars are the perfect balance of sweet and salty, with gooey caramel, rich chocolate chips, and a buttery cookie dough base. The drizzle of salted caramel combined with a sprinkle of sea salt makes every bite a flavor explosion. Whether you’re hosting a gathering or craving an indulgent dessert, these cookie bars are easy to make and impossible to resist.
Ways to Customize Your Cookie Bars
Try adding chopped nuts like pecans or walnuts to the cookie dough for extra crunch, or swirl in a bit of peanut butter for a delicious twist on the classic flavor combination. You can also experiment with different types of chocolate—dark chocolate, white chocolate, or even caramel chips would all make fantastic additions.
FAQs
Can I make these bars ahead of time?
Yes! These bars can be made a day in advance and stored in an airtight container. The caramel may settle into the bars overnight, making them even gooier.
Can I freeze the bars?
Yes, these bars freeze well. Simply wrap individual bars in plastic wrap and store in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 3 months.
What’s the best way to melt caramel sauce?
If using store-bought caramel sauce, warm it gently in the microwave or over low heat before drizzling it over the cookie dough.
Can I substitute regular caramel for salted caramel?
Yes, but you may want to add a little extra sea salt on top to achieve the perfect balance of sweet and salty flavors.
Summary
These Salted Caramel Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars are a delicious combination of chewy cookie dough, rich chocolate chips, and gooey salted caramel. Perfect for when you're in the mood for something indulgent, these bars feature layers of buttery cookie dough sandwiched around a decadent caramel filling, all topped off with a sprinkle of sea salt. The result is a sweet, salty, and utterly irresistible treat that's perfect for sharing (or keeping all to yourself!). These bars are easy to make, require just a few simple ingredients, and bake in under 30 minutes. Whether you're serving them at a party or enjoying them with a cup of coffee, they're sure to satisfy your sweet tooth.