Salted Caramel Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars Recipe
These Salted Caramel Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars combine classic chewy chocolate chip cookies with a luscious salted caramel drizzle, baked in a convenient bar form that’s perfect for sharing or gifting. Soft, sweet, and satisfyingly rich, they make an irresistible treat for any occasion.
- Author: Naya
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 16 bars 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Dry Ingredients
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup packed brown sugar
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Add-ins
- 2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
Caramel Sauce
- 1 cup salted caramel sauce or 1 cup caramel candies
- 2 tablespoons heavy cream
- Prepare the Baking Dish: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish or line it with parchment paper to ensure easy removal of the cookie bars after baking.
- Mix the Butter and Sugars: In a large mixing bowl, cream together 1 cup of softened unsalted butter, 1 cup packed brown sugar, and 1/2 cup granulated sugar until the mixture becomes light and fluffy, ensuring a good texture for the bars.
- Add the Eggs and Vanilla: Beat in 2 large eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Then stir in 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract until fully combined.
- Combine the Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon baking soda, and 1 teaspoon salt to evenly distribute the leavening and seasoning.
- Mix Dry Ingredients with Wet Ingredients: Gradually add the flour mixture to the butter and sugar mixture, stirring gently until just combined to avoid overmixing which can make the bars tough.
- Fold in Chocolate Chips: Carefully fold 2 cups of semi-sweet chocolate chips into the batter until they are evenly incorporated throughout.
- Spread the Dough in the Baking Dish: Transfer the cookie dough into the prepared baking dish and spread it out evenly, smoothing the top with a spatula for uniform thickness.
- Bake the Cookie Bars: Bake in the preheated oven for 25 to 30 minutes until the edges turn golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Prepare the Caramel Sauce: While the bars are baking, melt 1 cup of caramel candies with 2 tablespoons of heavy cream in a microwave-safe bowl by heating in short bursts, stirring frequently until smooth and creamy.
- Drizzle the Caramel on the Bars: Once the cookie bars have cooled slightly but are still warm, evenly drizzle the warm salted caramel sauce over the top to add a rich, sweet finishing touch.
- Allow to Cool and Slice: Let the bars cool completely in the pan to set properly before slicing into squares for serving.
Notes
- For an extra touch, sprinkle a small pinch of flaky sea salt over the caramel drizzle before it sets.
- Store the bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for up to a week.
- You can substitute the caramel sauce with store-bought salted caramel sauce for convenience.
- Make sure not to overbake to keep the bars soft and chewy rather than dry.
- To easily remove bars, line the baking dish with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the sides.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar (approx. 2x2 inch square)
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 25 g
- Sodium: 210 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 55 mg
Keywords: salted caramel, chocolate chip cookies, cookie bars, dessert bars, caramel drizzle, easy dessert, chocolate chip bars