These Salted Caramel Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars are pure dessert perfection soft, buttery cookie dough layered with gooey caramel and a sprinkle of sea salt for that irresistible sweet-salty magic. Every bite melts in your mouth, combining the richness of chocolate, the smoothness of caramel, and just the right hint of crunch from the sea salt. Perfect for parties, bake sales, or anytime you crave a decadent treat!
Ingredients
Cookie Dough:
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup light brown sugar, packed
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon sea salt
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
Caramel Mixture:
- 11 oz soft caramels, unwrapped
- 14 oz sweetened condensed milk
- ½ teaspoon sea salt flakes (such as Maldon)
Instructions
- Preheat & Prepare:
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13-inch baking dish with parchment paper and lightly grease it to ensure easy removal later. - Make the Cookie Dough:
In a large mixing bowl, cream together the butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Add in the eggs one at a time, followed by the vanilla extract. Mix until smooth and well combined. - Combine the Dry Ingredients:
In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, sea salt, and baking soda. Gradually add the dry mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Fold in the chocolate chips with a spatula to keep the dough tender. - Prepare the Caramel Mixture:
In a small saucepan, melt the caramels with the sweetened condensed milk over low heat, stirring constantly until smooth and creamy. Stir in a pinch of sea salt flakes. - Assemble the Bars:
Press half of the cookie dough evenly into the bottom of your prepared pan. Pour the caramel mixture over the dough, spreading it to the edges. Drop spoonfuls of the remaining cookie dough over the caramel layer it’s fine if some caramel peeks through. - Bake to Perfection:
Bake for 25–30 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the edges are set. The center should still be slightly soft it will firm up as it cools. - Cool & Slice:
Let the bars cool completely in the pan before slicing. For cleaner cuts, chill in the fridge for about 30 minutes before serving.
Variation
- Nutty Caramel Crunch:
Add 1 cup of chopped pecans, walnuts, or almonds into the caramel layer or fold them into the cookie dough. The nuts add a lovely crunch that balances the gooey caramel texture and brings a toasty, rich flavor that pairs perfectly with chocolate. - Dark Chocolate Twist:
Replace the semi-sweet chocolate chips with dark chocolate chunks for a deeper, more intense flavor. The slight bitterness of dark chocolate enhances the sweetness of the caramel and makes the bars taste more sophisticated ideal for adult palates. - Salted Caramel Pretzel Bars:
Mix in 1 cup of crushed pretzels into the caramel layer or sprinkle them on top before baking. The pretzels introduce a satisfying crunch and extra saltiness that creates the ultimate sweet-and-salty bite. - Peanut Butter Caramel Bars:
Swirl ½ cup of creamy peanut butter into the caramel mixture before layering. It adds a nutty richness and transforms the flavor into something reminiscent of a peanut butter-chocolate candy bar. - Espresso Infusion:
Stir 1 teaspoon of instant espresso powder into the cookie dough to bring out the depth of the chocolate flavor. It’s a subtle but effective way to make the dessert taste a bit more complex and aromatic.
Cooking Notes
- Dough Consistency:
The cookie dough should be thick but soft enough to press easily into the pan. If it feels too sticky, chill it for 10–15 minutes before layering this will help it hold its shape and make assembly neater. - Caramel Layer Care:
When melting caramels, keep the heat low and stir constantly to prevent scorching. Once smooth, work quickly to spread the caramel layer over the dough before it starts to firm up again. - Even Baking:
To ensure even baking, rotate the pan halfway through the bake time. This helps prevent the edges from over-browning while the center finishes setting. - Cooling Time Matters:
Allowing the bars to cool completely is essential for clean slicing. Warm caramel can ooze and cause the bars to break apart if cut too early, so patience truly pays off here.
Serving Suggestions
- Warm with Ice Cream:
Reheat a bar in the microwave for about 10 seconds, then serve it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. The contrast between the warm, gooey cookie and cold, creamy ice cream is irresistible. - Caramel Drizzle Finish:
For an extra touch of indulgence, drizzle a bit of warm caramel sauce or melted chocolate over each bar before serving. It not only looks beautiful but doubles down on that caramel-chocolate magic. - Sweet Platter Treats:
Cut the bars into bite-size squares and serve them on a dessert tray for parties or gatherings. Their golden color and salted caramel shimmer make them stand out beautifully among other sweets. - Coffee or Espresso Pairing:
These bars taste amazing with coffee, cappuccino, or espresso. The slight bitterness of the drink complements the sweetness of the bars, making it an ideal afternoon or after-dinner pairing.
Tips
- Use Quality Caramel:
High-quality soft caramels melt smoother and taste richer. Avoid overly hard or cheap caramels, which can result in a grainy texture once baked. - Sea Salt Finishing Touch:
Always finish with a sprinkle of flaky sea salt (like Maldon). It enhances the caramel flavor and adds a beautiful visual touch that signals the sweet-salty balance ahead. - Line the Pan Well:
Use parchment paper with overhanging edges for easy lifting. This prevents sticking and makes slicing much cleaner, especially once the caramel layer sets. - Don’t Overmix the Dough:
Mix the dough just until the ingredients are combined to maintain a tender, chewy texture. Overmixing can lead to dense, dry bars instead of soft and gooey ones. - Storage for Freshness:
Store at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 3 days. For longer storage, refrigerate or freeze the bars, then bring to room temperature before serving for the best flavor and texture.
Prep Time:
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
Nutritional Information (Per Serving)
- Calories: 285
- Protein: 3g
- Sodium: 160mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 37g
- Fiber: 1g
- Sugar: 28g
- Cholesterol: 45mg
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can I use homemade caramel sauce instead of store-bought caramels?
Yes, you can absolutely use homemade caramel sauce! Just make sure it’s thick enough to hold its shape when layered between the cookie dough. If your caramel is very thin, simmer it a bit longer to reduce and thicken before using.
2. How do I prevent the caramel from sticking to the parchment paper?
Lightly spray the parchment paper with nonstick cooking spray before adding the dough and caramel. Once cooled, the bars should lift out smoothly without any sticky mess.
3. Can these bars be made ahead of time?
Definitely! These bars are a fantastic make-ahead dessert. Prepare them up to two days in advance, store in an airtight container at room temperature, and they’ll stay soft and chewy. You can also refrigerate or freeze them for longer storage.
4. How can I make these bars gluten-free?
Simply replace the all-purpose flour with a good-quality 1:1 gluten-free baking flour blend. Make sure to check that your caramels are also gluten-free for a fully safe treat.
5. Why are my bars dry or crumbly?
Overbaking is usually the culprit! Remove the bars from the oven as soon as the edges turn golden and the center looks slightly underdone they’ll continue to set as they cool, ensuring that perfect chewy texture.
Conclusion
Salted Caramel Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars are the ultimate indulgence for dessert lovers soft, chewy, and layered with buttery caramel goodness. The balance of sweet and salty flavors makes them impossible to resist, while the simple prep and stunning results guarantee they’ll become a go-to favorite for any occasion. Whether you serve them warm with ice cream or cut into perfect party squares, these bars deliver pure, melt-in-your-mouth bliss every single time.
