If you’re looking for a show-stopping treat that truly hits every craving, Salted Caramel Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars are your answer. Imagine the chewy decadence of a classic chocolate chip cookie, then add the silky richness of gooey caramel and a whisper of sea salt that dances on your tongue. Every bite brings together buttery dough, melty chocolate, and layers of sweet-and-salty harmony. These bars are easy enough for a weeknight bake yet dazzling enough for your next holiday party. Trust me, once you make them, you’ll be dreaming about your next batch.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic behind Salted Caramel Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars lies in this welcoming lineup of simple ingredients. Each one brings its own charm, delivering the rich, gooey, and perfectly textured bars we crave.
- Unsalted Butter: Essential for creating a rich, melt-in-your-mouth base with that classic cookie flavor.
- Light Brown Sugar: Adds a caramel-like sweetness and ensures the bars stay chewy and moist.
- Granulated Sugar: Gives structure and just the right amount of sweetness.
- Large Eggs: Bind everything together and provide some lift for a soft, cakey crumb.
- Vanilla Extract: Infuses warmth and enhances the overall cookie dough flavor.
- Salt: Balances the sweetness and brings out every flavor note.
- Baking Soda: Helps the bars rise beautifully for that lovely, soft thickness.
- All-Purpose Flour: The structural backbone of the bars, holding everything together.
- Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips or Chunks: Pockets of melty chocolate add texture and bold cocoa flavor.
- Sweetened Condensed Milk: Thickens the caramel filling to gooey, dreamy perfection.
- Caramel Bits or Unwrapped Soft Caramels: Melt down for the luscious, sticky caramel layer in each bite.
- Flakey Sea Salt: The finishing touch that brings out deep caramel flavor and balances sweetness.
How to Make Salted Caramel Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars
Step 1: Prep the Pan
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F. For effortless removal and easier slicing, line a 9×13 pan with foil or parchment paper, then give it a quick mist of non-stick cooking spray. This step ensures every delectable bar comes out without sticking, so you don’t miss a single crumb.
Step 2: Cream the Butter and Sugars
In a mixing bowl, beat together the room-temperature butter, light brown sugar, and granulated sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. This creates air pockets for tender, irresistible bars and lays the foundation for all the other flavors to shine through.
Step 3: Add Eggs and Vanilla
Once your butter and sugars are creamy, add in the eggs one at a time, followed by vanilla extract. Beat until everything is beautifully combined. This not only binds the dough but also gives it that homey, classic cookie taste that makes these bars utterly comforting.
Step 4: Mix Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, and baking soda. This quick whisk ensures the leavening agent and salt are evenly distributed, so every bite tastes just right and bakes up evenly.
Step 5: Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures
With your mixer on low, add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients in three additions, mixing just until combined. This step ensures a tender, chewy texture for your Salted Caramel Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars—overmixing can make them tough, so stop when you see just a few streaks of flour left!
Step 6: Fold in Chocolate Chips
Gently fold in the chocolate chips or chunks to perfectly distribute them throughout your dough. You’ll love the surprise melty bits in every bite, balancing the sweet and salty elements.
Step 7: Layer the Dough
Press half of your cookie dough evenly into the prepared pan, creating a solid foundation. Set the rest aside; it’ll transform into irresistible patches atop your caramel layer.
Step 8: Make the Caramel Filling
In a medium saucepan, combine the caramel bits (or unwrapped soft caramels) with the sweetened condensed milk. Heat over medium-low, stirring often, until the mixture is silky smooth and completely melted. This gooey mixture is what dreams are made of.
Step 9: Assemble and Top with Sea Salt
Pour the warm caramel over your dough layer, spreading it to the edges. Drop the remaining cookie dough in rough clumps over the caramel—don’t stress about perfection! Sprinkle generously with flakey sea salt; this brings that iconic Salted Caramel Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars flavor to life.
Step 10: Bake and Cool
Slide the pan into the oven and bake for 26 to 30 minutes, until the top is golden and just set. Let the bars cool completely in the pan—yes, it’s hard to wait! Once set, lift them out, slice them into generous squares, and get ready for applause.
How to Serve Salted Caramel Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars
Garnishes
Give each bar a finishing touch with an extra pinch of flakey sea salt or a fine drizzle of melted chocolate. A dollop of whipped cream or even a scoop of vanilla ice cream takes these Salted Caramel Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars completely over the top for dessert lovers.
Side Dishes
Pair these bars with a strong espresso or a tall glass of cold milk to cut through the decadent richness. If you’re serving them for a party, arrange fresh strawberries or a platter of mixed berries alongside—they bring brightness and balance to the sweet, gooey bars.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun twist, cut your Salted Caramel Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars into bite-sized pieces and stack them on a tiered dessert tray. Or tuck individually wrapped bars into lunch boxes for a midday surprise! They also make stellar party favors when packed in cellophane with a little ribbon.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once your bars are completely cooled, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days. Layer parchment between them to prevent sticking, and keep them out of direct sunlight to preserve that gooey caramel center.
Freezing
If you’d like to make Salted Caramel Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars ahead, they freeze beautifully! Wrap individual bars tightly in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer-safe container. They’ll keep their delicious texture and flavor for up to two months—just thaw overnight at room temperature when you’re ready for a treat.
Reheating
Want to revive that just-baked magic? Pop a bar in the microwave for 8–10 seconds to gently warm the caramel and chocolate. The aroma alone will transport you right back to the moment you first took them out of the oven.
FAQs
Can I use store-bought caramel sauce instead of making the caramel layer?
While homemade caramel with sweetened condensed milk provides a thick, luscious texture, you can use a high-quality store-bought caramel sauce in a pinch. Just make sure it’s not too thin, or it may soak into the cookie base more than desired.
What if I don’t have flakey sea salt?
Coarse kosher salt works well as a substitute, offering that craveable salty finish. Avoid regular table salt since it can taste too sharp and won’t give you those lovely bursts of flavor on top.
Can I add nuts or other mix-ins?
Absolutely! Chopped pecans or walnuts add crunch and a fantastic nutty layer to your Salted Caramel Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars. Just fold up to 1 cup into the dough before assembling the bars.
How do I keep the caramel from hardening?
The caramel filling should stay gooey as long as you don’t overcook the caramel mixture and you keep the bars tightly covered. Let the bars cool at room temperature to set, not in the fridge, which can overly firm up the caramel layer.
Can I halve the recipe?
Yes, just use an 8×8 or 9×9 pan and halve all the ingredients. The bake time may be a bit shorter, so start checking for doneness at around 20 minutes.
Final Thoughts
There’s something irresistible about the sweet, salty, and chocolatey combination in Salted Caramel Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars. They’re a true crowd-pleaser, simple enough for any home baker yet unforgettable in taste and texture. Give them a try—the only challenge is resisting a second (or third!) piece right away.
