Salted Caramel Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars Recipe

Introduction

These Salted Caramel Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars combine the classic richness of chocolate chip cookies with the irresistible twist of gooey salted caramel. Perfectly chewy and loaded with chocolate, they make a delightful treat for any occasion.

Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup brown sugar, packed
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 1 cup salted caramel sauce

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish or line it with parchment paper for easier removal later.
2. Step 2: In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened unsalted butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy.
3. Step 3: Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Mix in the vanilla extract until well combined.
4. Step 4: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt.
5. Step 5: Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet ingredients, stirring until just combined. Be careful not to overmix.
6. Step 6: Gently fold in the chocolate chips until evenly distributed throughout the dough.
7. Step 7: Spread the cookie dough evenly in the prepared baking dish, smoothing the top with a spatula.
8. Step 8: Bake in the preheated oven for about 25-30 minutes. The edges should be golden brown, and a toothpick inserted in the center should come out clean.
9. Step 9: While the bars are baking, prepare the salted caramel sauce by melting 1 cup of caramel candies with 2 tablespoons of heavy cream in a microwave-safe bowl, microwaving in short bursts until smooth.
10. Step 10: Once the cookie bars are out of the oven and slightly cooled, drizzle the warm caramel sauce evenly over the top.
11. Step 11: Let the cookie bars cool completely in the pan before slicing them into squares to serve.

Tips & Variations

• For an extra gooey texture, swirl some caramel sauce into the dough before baking instead of just drizzling on top.
• Use dark chocolate chips for a richer chocolate flavor.
• Sprinkle a light pinch of flaky sea salt on top after drizzling the caramel for enhanced flavor contrast.

Storage

Store these cookie bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days. For longer storage, refrigerate for up to a week or freeze for up to 2 months. To reheat, warm individual bars in the microwave for 15-20 seconds to enjoy the gooey caramel texture.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use store-bought salted caramel sauce?

Yes, using store-bought salted caramel sauce is an easy shortcut. Just warm it slightly before drizzling over the bars for best results.

How do I prevent the cookie bars from becoming too dry?

Be careful not to overbake. Check the bars starting at 25 minutes; they should have golden edges and a clean toothpick when done. Overbaking dries them out.

Salted Caramel Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars Recipe

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4.7 from 94 reviews

Delight in these Salted Caramel Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars, combining classic rich chocolate chip cookie dough with a luscious layer of homemade salted caramel sauce. Perfectly baked to a golden brown, these bars offer a chewy texture with a gooey caramel drizzle that elevates this beloved dessert to a new level.

• Author: Logan
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 12 servings 1x
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

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 brown sugar, packed
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Add-ins and Toppings

• 2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 1 cup salted caramel sauce (see preparation below)

Salted Caramel Sauce

• 1 cup caramel candies
• 2 tablespoons heavy cream

Instructions

1. Prepare the Baking Dish: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish or line it with parchment paper to ensure easy removal of the cookie bars after baking.
2. Mix the Butter and Sugars: In a large mixing bowl, cream together 1 cup of softened unsalted butter, 1 cup of packed brown sugar, and 1/2 cup of granulated sugar until the mixture becomes light and fluffy, creating a smooth base for your cookie dough.
3. Add the Eggs and Vanilla: Incorporate 2 large eggs one at a time, beating thoroughly after each addition to fully combine. Stir in 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract until the batter is homogenous.
4. Combine the Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together 2 1/2 cups of all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon of baking soda, and 1 teaspoon of salt ensuring the leavening and seasoning distribute evenly.
5. Mix the Dry Ingredients with the Wet Ingredients: Gradually add the dry mixture into the wet ingredients, stirring gently until just combined. Take care not to overmix to maintain the tender texture of the cookie bars.
6. Fold in Chocolate Chips: Gently fold in 2 cups of semi-sweet chocolate chips so they are evenly distributed throughout the dough without breaking them.
7. Spread the Dough in the Baking Dish: Evenly spread the cookie dough into the prepared baking dish and smooth the surface with a spatula for uniform baking.
8. Bake the Cookie Bars: Place the dish in the oven and bake for 25-30 minutes. The edges should turn golden brown, and a toothpick inserted into the center should come out clean, indicating doneness.
9. Prepare the Caramel Sauce: While the bars bake, place 1 cup of caramel candies and 2 tablespoons of heavy cream in a microwave-safe bowl. Heat in short bursts, stirring in between, until melted and smooth.
10. Drizzle the Caramel on the Bars: When the cookie bars have cooled slightly after baking, drizzle the warm salted caramel sauce evenly over the top to create a glossy, decadent finish.
11. Allow to Cool and Slice: Let the cookie bars cool completely in the pan to set the caramel and firm up the bars. Once cooled, slice into squares and serve.

Notes

• For easier removal, line the baking dish with parchment paper, leaving overhang on the sides to lift the bars out.
• Ensure the butter is softened but not melted to achieve the ideal creamy texture when creaming with sugars.
• Do not overmix the dough after adding flour to keep the bars tender and chewy.
• For a richer caramel sauce, substitute heavy cream with salted butter combined with cream for enhanced flavor.
• Store leftover bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerated for up to a week.
• Reheat bars lightly before serving if you prefer the caramel warm and gooey.

Keywords: salted caramel, chocolate chip cookie bars, homemade caramel sauce, easy dessert, chocolate chip bars, caramel drizzle, chewy cookie bars