Gooey Salted Caramel Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars Recipe
These Gooey Salted Caramel Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars feature a perfect balance of sweet and salty flavors with soft, chewy cookie layers and a luscious caramel filling. Topped with flaky sea salt, they are an irresistible treat ideal for dessert or snack time.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 40 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 & Topping
- 1.5 cups chocolate chips
- 1 cup thick caramel sauce
- Flaky sea salt (for topping)
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking pan with parchment paper for easy removal and cleanup.
- 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 separate large bowl, use an electric mixer to cream the softened unsalted butter with brown sugar and granulated sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes.
- Add Eggs and Vanilla: Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla extract, ensuring everything is fully incorporated.
- Combine Wet and Dry: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing just until combined. Avoid overmixing to keep the bars tender.
- Fold in Chocolate Chips: Gently fold the chocolate chips into the cookie dough ensuring even distribution.
- Layer Dough and Caramel: Spread half of the cookie dough evenly into the prepared pan. Pour the thick caramel sauce over the dough and then dollop the remaining cookie dough on top, spreading gently to cover the caramel layer.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes or until the edges are set and golden but the center remains soft and slightly gooey.
- Add Flaky Sea Salt and Cool: Immediately after removing from the oven, sprinkle flaky sea salt evenly over the top. Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan before slicing into squares.
Notes
- Use thick caramel sauce for a rich and gooey middle layer; homemade or store-bought both work well.
- Ensure the butter is softened to room temperature for better creaming and texture.
- Do not overbake; the center should remain soft to maintain gooeyness.
- For easier slicing, chill the bars after cooling to firm up the caramel layer.
- Flaky sea salt enhances the caramel flavor by adding a subtle crunch and a burst of saltiness.
Keywords: Salted caramel, chocolate chip, cookie bars, gooey dessert, caramel cookie bars, sweet and salty, easy dessert
