Gooey Salted Caramel Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars are the ultimate indulgence! These bars combine soft, chewy cookie dough with rich chocolate chips and a gooey layer of salted caramel in the center. With a perfect balance of sweetness and a hint of salt, these decadent treats are great for parties, bake sales, or when you need a comforting dessert.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Rich and Indulgent – A delicious combination of caramel, chocolate, and cookie dough.
- Easy to Make – Simple ingredients come together in one pan.
- Perfect Texture – Chewy, gooey, and crispy around the edges.
- Great for Sharing – Ideal for potlucks, holidays, or gifting.
- Make-Ahead Friendly – Tastes even better the next day!
Ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
For the Cookie Dough:
- Unsalted butter (softened)
- Brown sugar
- Granulated sugar
- Eggs
- Vanilla extract
- All-purpose flour
- Baking soda
- Salt
- Chocolate chips
For the Caramel Layer:
- Soft caramels (or caramel sauce)
- Heavy cream
- Sea salt
Directions
- Preheat the Oven: Set to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking dish with parchment paper.
- Make the Cookie Dough: Cream together butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar. Add eggs and vanilla, mixing until smooth. In a separate bowl, whisk flour, baking soda, and salt, then gradually add to the wet ingredients. Stir in chocolate chips.
- Prepare the Caramel Layer: Melt the caramels with heavy cream in a microwave-safe bowl or on the stovetop until smooth. Stir in sea salt.
- Assemble the Bars: Press half of the cookie dough into the baking dish. Pour the caramel sauce over the dough, then top with the remaining dough, gently pressing to cover.
- Bake: Bake for 25-30 minutes until golden brown. Let cool completely before cutting.
- Slice and Serve: Cut into squares and enjoy the gooey goodness!
Servings and Timing
- Servings: Makes about 16 bars
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Bake Time: 25-30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
Variations
- Extra Chocolatey – Use dark chocolate chunks for a richer taste.
- Nutty Crunch – Add chopped pecans or walnuts to the dough.
- Espresso Twist – Mix in a teaspoon of espresso powder for depth.
- Gluten-Free – Use a gluten-free flour blend.
- Peanut Butter Swirl – Drizzle peanut butter over the caramel layer before baking.
Storage/Reheating
- Storage: Keep in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for up to a week.
- Freezing: Freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature before serving.
- Reheating: Warm in the microwave for 10-15 seconds for an extra gooey texture.
FAQs
Can I use store-bought caramel sauce?
Yes! Just make sure it’s thick enough to hold between the cookie layers.
How do I keep the caramel from leaking?
Let the bars cool completely before cutting to help the caramel set.
Can I make these ahead of time?
Yes! They taste even better the next day as the flavors meld together.
Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted?
Yes, just reduce the added salt slightly.
How do I make the bars extra gooey?
Slightly underbake them and let them finish setting as they cool.
Can I add a sprinkle of sea salt on top?
Absolutely! It enhances the caramel flavor beautifully.
What’s the best way to cut clean squares?
Chill the bars for 30 minutes before slicing with a sharp knife.
Can I use homemade caramel instead of store-bought?
Yes! A homemade caramel sauce works wonderfully in this recipe.
Can I make these dairy-free?
Use dairy-free butter, chocolate chips, and coconut milk instead of heavy cream.
What size baking pan should I use?
An 8×8-inch pan makes thick bars, while a 9×13-inch pan makes thinner ones.
Conclusion
Gooey Salted Caramel Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars are the perfect dessert for anyone who loves rich, chewy, and indulgent treats. With layers of buttery cookie dough, gooey caramel, and melty chocolate, every bite is pure bliss. Try them today for a show-stopping dessert that’s sure to impress!
Print
Gooey Salted Caramel Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: ~1 hour 45 minutes
- Yield: 16 bars 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
Description
These Gooey Salted Caramel Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars are the ultimate sweet and salty dessert! They have a buttery chocolate chip cookie base, a rich caramel center, and a sprinkle of flaky sea salt to balance the sweetness. They’re perfect for parties, holidays, or whenever you need a next-level cookie bar!
Ingredients
- For the Cookie Dough:
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter (melted)
- 1 cup brown sugar (packed)
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 1/2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
- For the Caramel Filling:
- 1 cup soft caramel candies (unwrapped)
- 3 tablespoons heavy cream
- 1/2 teaspoon flaky sea salt (plus extra for topping)
Instructions
- Preheat & Prepare:
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Line a 9×13-inch baking dish with parchment paper and lightly grease it.
- Make the Cookie Dough:
- In a large bowl, whisk together melted butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until smooth.
- Add eggs and vanilla, mixing until combined.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt.
- Gradually add dry ingredients to wet ingredients, stirring until just combined.
- Fold in the chocolate chips.
- Prepare the Caramel Layer:
- In a microwave-safe bowl, heat the caramel candies and heavy cream in 30-second intervals, stirring in between, until smooth.
- Stir in ½ teaspoon flaky sea salt.
- Assemble the Bars:
- Press half of the cookie dough evenly into the prepared pan.
- Pour the melted caramel mixture over the dough, spreading evenly.
- Drop spoonfuls of the remaining cookie dough over the caramel, gently spreading to cover as much as possible.
- Bake:
- Bake for 25–30 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and slightly firm.
- Remove from the oven and sprinkle with extra flaky sea salt while warm.
- Cool & Serve:
- Let cool for at least 1 hour (or chill in the fridge for gooier bars).
- Slice into squares and enjoy!
Notes
- Use homemade caramel sauce instead of candies for a more natural option.
- Add chopped nuts (like pecans or walnuts) for extra crunch.
- Store bars in an airtight container at room temperature for 3–4 days or freeze for up to 3 months.
Nutrition
- Calories: ~320
- Sugar: ~28g
- Sodium: ~180mg
- Fat: ~16g
- Saturated Fat: ~9g
- Unsaturated Fat: ~6g
- Trans Fat: ~0g
- Carbohydrates: ~42g
- Fiber: ~1g
- Protein: ~3g
- Cholesterol: ~40mg
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