The Ultimate Gooey Treat — Salted Caramel Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars!

If you’re in the mood for something warm, gooey, and absolutely irresistible, you’re going to be obsessed with these Salted Caramel Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars. Every time I bake them, the whole house fills with that buttery, chocolatey smell that makes everyone wander into the kitchen asking, “Are they ready yet?” And honestly… I don’t blame them. These bars are soft in the center, golden on the edges, loaded with chocolate chips, and filled with a dreamy layer of sticky caramel topped with a little flaky sea salt. Heaven!

What I personally love most about these cookie bars is how easy they are compared to making individual cookies. No scooping, no chilling (unless you want to), and no fuss. Just smooth the dough into a pan, layer with caramel, top with more dough, and bake. They slice beautifully once cooled — but I’ll be honest, I’ve burned my fingers more than once because I can’t resist sneaking a warm piece.

Nutritional Benefits

Okay, let’s be real — this recipe is here for indulgence, comfort, and pure joy. But it does bring a few little perks! Chocolate contains antioxidants that boost mood, and using high-quality dark chocolate chips gives a richer flavor with less added sugar. If you choose to add nuts, you’ll get healthy fats and extra texture. You can also reduce the sugar slightly or swap part of the flour with whole-wheat flour if you want to make it a bit more wholesome. But honestly… this dessert shines because it’s a treat, and sometimes that’s exactly what you need.

Adaptable Variations

• Nutty Caramel Bars: Add chopped walnuts or pecans for crunch and extra richness.
• Dark Chocolate Lovers: Replace half the chocolate chips with dark chocolate chunks.
• Salted Caramel Swirl: Instead of a full caramel layer, drizzle caramel in swirls over the top before baking.
• Gluten-Free: Use a good 1:1 gluten-free flour blend — this recipe adapts beautifully.
• Blondie-Style: Skip the chocolate chips for a buttery caramel blondie version.

Salted Caramel Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars

Ingredients

• 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup butter, softened
• 1 cup brown sugar
• ½ cup white sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 ½ cups chocolate chips
• 1 cup soft caramel candies or caramel sauce
• 2 tablespoons heavy cream (if using caramel candies)
• Flaky sea salt for topping

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line an 8×8 or 9×9 baking pan with parchment paper.
2. Cream the butter & sugars: In a large bowl, beat the softened butter, brown sugar, and white sugar until light and fluffy.
3. Add eggs & vanilla: Mix in the eggs one at a time, followed by the vanilla.
4. Combine dry ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt.
5. Make the cookie dough: Add the dry mixture to the wet ingredients and mix until combined. Fold in the chocolate chips.
6. Prepare the caramel layer: If using caramel candies, melt them gently with the heavy cream until smooth.
7. Layer the bars: Press half of the cookie dough into the pan. Pour the caramel over the top (leaving a small border to prevent leaking). Add the remaining dough in spoonfuls over the caramel, gently spreading it.
8. Bake: Bake for 25–32 minutes, or until the bars are golden brown and set around the edges.
9. Cool completely: Let them cool before slicing — this helps the caramel layer firm up.
10. Finish: Sprinkle flaky sea salt over the top for that perfect sweet-salty bite.

Practical & Valuable Tips

• Don’t skip the parchment: It makes lifting and slicing the bars so much easier.
• Use soft caramels: They melt more smoothly and give a thicker caramel layer.
• Let them cool fully: This is the hardest part, but the bars hold their shape better.
• Extra gooey version: Add an extra ¼ cup caramel if you love a messy, rich center.
• Sharp knife trick: Warm your knife under hot water before slicing for clean edges.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can I use caramel sauce instead of candies? Yes! Just make sure it’s thick — thin caramel may leak while baking.
2. Can I double the recipe? Absolutely. Use a 9×13 pan and add 5–8 extra minutes of baking time.
3. Do these freeze well? Yes! Freeze sliced bars for up to 2 months — perfect for quick treats.
4. Can I reduce the sugar? Yes, you can cut ¼ cup of sugar without affecting texture too much.

Call to Action

If you bake these Salted Caramel Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars, I’d love to see how they turn out! Tag me on Pinterest and share your delicious creations — and don’t forget to save this recipe for the next time you need a gooey, comforting treat! 🍫✨🍯