I absolutely adore sharing this Salted Caramel Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars Recipe with you because it perfectly captures everything I love about desserts: rich, gooey caramel layered with melty chocolate chips, all baked into soft, chewy bars with just the right hint of sea salt to make every bite unforgettable. Whenever I crave something indulgent yet easy to make, this recipe is my go-to. It balances sweetness and saltiness beautifully, and the bar format means it’s so convenient to serve at gatherings or enjoy as a cozy treat at home.
Why You’ll Love This Salted Caramel Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars Recipe
Ingredients You’ll Need
One of the things that truly excites me about this Salted Caramel Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars Recipe is the dazzling flavor combination. The buttery cookie dough, stuffed with rich chocolate chips, gently hugs the luscious caramel sauce in the middle, while the flaky sea salt sprinkled on top enhances every flavor note without overwhelming your palate. It’s that perfect sweet and salty dance that always keeps me coming back for more. Plus, the texture contrast between gooey caramel and tender cookie bars is pure magic.
Another reason I love this recipe is how wonderfully straightforward it is to pull together. I appreciate desserts that don’t demand hours of fussing, and this one hits the sweet spot—no fancy tools or complex techniques needed. With just a few simple ingredients, you get layers of flavor and texture that feel special enough for holidays yet are simple enough for a weeknight dessert. It’s ideal for impressing friends, treating family, or simply indulging yourself without any guilt or hassle.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of this recipe lies in the simplicity and quality of its ingredients. Each component plays a key role in delivering the perfect texture, flavor, and color to the bars, from the rich melted butter that gives moisture and lushness to the dough, to the all-purpose flour that provides structure while keeping the bars tender and soft.
Pro Tip ✨
Check out the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.
- Unsalted butter: Melted for easy mixing and to add that rich, creamy flavor that makes the cookie base so tender.
- Brown sugar: Adds moisture and a deep caramel-like sweetness that complements the salted caramel beautifully.
- Granulated sugar: Balances the sweetness and helps create a slightly crisp edge around the bars.
- Eggs: Bind everything together and ensure a soft, chewy texture.
- Vanilla extract: Elevates the flavor with its warm and fragrant aroma.
- All-purpose flour: The backbone of the cookies, providing structure and a perfect tender crumb.
- Baking soda: Gives the dough a light lift for a soft, yet sturdy bar.
- Salt: Enhances the flavors and balances sweetness perfectly.
- Semi-sweet chocolate chips: Melt into gooey pockets of chocolaty goodness in every bite.
- Caramel sauce: The star layer that adds gooey richness and sweetness, creating a sensational surprise inside.
- Flaky sea salt: Sprinkled on top to bring a delightful crunch and bursts of salty contrast.
Directions
Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a 9×13 inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving enough overhang on the sides so you can lift the bars out easily once baked.
Step 2: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the melted butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until the mixture is smooth and creamy — this is where the magic begins!
Step 3: Add the eggs one at a time, making sure to mix well after introducing each one. Stir in the vanilla extract to infuse the dough with its wonderful flavor.
Step 4: In another bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt until they’re fully combined and evenly distributed.
Step 5: Slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, folding them together gently just until everything comes together — be careful not to overmix.
Step 6: Fold in the semi-sweet chocolate chips, making sure they’re evenly dispersed throughout the dough.
Step 7: Spread half of the cookie dough evenly into the prepared pan, creating a sturdy base for your salted caramel layer.
Step 8: Drizzle the caramel sauce evenly over the dough base, then sprinkle a pinch of flaky sea salt to start building that irresistible salt-sweet experience.
Step 9: Drop spoonfuls of the remaining cookie dough over the caramel layer and gently spread it out as much as possible to cover the caramel without mixing the layers too much.
Step 10: Bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes, or until the top is a gorgeous golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the cookie layer comes out with just a few moist crumbs attached.
Step 11: Let the bars cool completely in the pan on a wire rack before lifting them out using the parchment paper overhang. Once cooled, cut into squares or bars and sprinkle with additional flaky sea salt if you want an extra burst of salty crunch.
Servings and Timing
This Salted Caramel Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars Recipe yields about 12 generously sized bars — perfect for sharing or savoring over a few days. Preparation takes around 15 minutes, making it wonderfully quick to get started. Baking requires 30 to 35 minutes, and I always recommend allowing the bars to cool completely, which usually takes about 15 to 20 minutes, to ensure they set nicely before slicing. Altogether, you’re looking at roughly 50 minutes from start to finish, making it a delightful project for a weekend afternoon or an easy weeknight treat.
How to Serve This Salted Caramel Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars Recipe
When I serve these bars, I love to present them slightly warm so that the gooey caramel and melted chocolate are at their absolute best. They’re fantastic on their own or served alongside a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a decadent dessert experience. If you want to elevate the presentation, I sometimes sprinkle a few extra flakes of sea salt and add a drizzle of caramel sauce on top for that picture-perfect finish that always impresses guests.
These bars pair beautifully with a variety of beverages. For an extra cozy touch, I often enjoy them with a cup of rich hot coffee or tea, which balances the sweetness perfectly. If I’m serving at a party, a light dessert wine or a salted caramel latte cocktail makes an exquisite pairing. I also find these bars to be a great crowd-pleaser at family dinners, holiday celebrations, or whenever I want to wow friends with something homemade yet effortless.
Serving-wise, I cut the bars into square portions about 2 by 2 inches — big enough to satisfy a sweet tooth without being too indulgent. They hold up well on a dessert platter at room temperature, making them perfect for buffets or potlucks. For a casual treat, popping a bar into the microwave for 10 seconds revives the melty charm in seconds, turning it into a warm, comforting delight.
Variations
I love experimenting with this Salted Caramel Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars Recipe to tailor it to different tastes or dietary needs. For a gluten-free option, I swap the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free baking blend and it works wonderfully, though the texture is a touch more crumbly. If you want to make it vegan, replacing the butter with coconut oil or vegan butter and using a flax egg instead of regular eggs can yield delicious results — the flavor remains rich and satisfying.
For a fun twist, I sometimes switch up the chocolate chips for chunks of dark chocolate or white chocolate to change the flavor profile. You can also add chopped nuts such as pecans or walnuts into the dough for extra texture and nutty notes that complement the salted caramel beautifully. If you’re feeling adventurous, try swirling in some peanut butter or adding a sprinkle of cinnamon to the dough to bring a warm spice element.
Cooking methods can also vary slightly; I’ve found that using a glass baking dish rather than metal can keep the edges softer if you prefer a chewier bar. If pressed for time, slicing the bars while still slightly warm can give you a gooier, more melty experience, though be gentle as they’ll be softer. There’s something so versatile and forgiving about this recipe, which makes it one of my all-time favorites to tweak and customize.
Storage and Reheating
Storing Leftovers
I store any leftover bars in an airtight container at room temperature, layered with parchment paper to prevent sticking. They maintain their freshness for up to 4 or 5 days this way, which means you can enjoy this delightful treat throughout the week without any loss of texture or flavor. If you prefer them chilled, I pop them in the fridge, but I find they taste best at room temperature or gently warmed.
Freezing
This recipe freezes beautifully, making it perfect for prepping ahead. To freeze, I wrap individual bars tightly in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer-safe bag or container. They keep well for up to 2 months. When I want to indulge, I just thaw the bars at room temperature for a couple of hours or warm them briefly in the microwave to recover that soft, luscious texture without drying out.
Reheating
The best way to reheat these bars is by warming them gently in the microwave for about 10 to 15 seconds. This brings back the gooey caramel and soft chocolate chips’ melt-in-your-mouth goodness. I avoid reheating in the oven to prevent drying out, and I never recommend overheating as that can toughen the texture. If you’ve refrigerated or frozen them, letting them come to room temperature before a quick warm-up helps maintain the perfect balance of softness and gooeyness.
FAQs
Can I use store-bought caramel sauce, or do I need to make my own?
You can absolutely use store-bought caramel sauce for this recipe — it’s a fantastic shortcut that saves time but still gives you that rich, sweet layer we all love. Just make sure it’s thick enough to avoid sinking into the dough; if it’s a bit runny, chilling it slightly before drizzling helps. Of course, homemade caramel adds a lovely homemade touch if you have the time!
Why do I need to use flaky sea salt on top?
Flaky sea salt provides a delicate crunch and an intense burst of salty flavor that perfectly contrasts the sweetness of the caramel and chocolate. It really elevates the overall taste experience and brings out the richness in every bite. Regular table salt doesn’t have the same texture or flavor impact, so I highly recommend sticking with flaky sea salt for the final sprinkle.
Can I make these bars ahead of time?
Absolutely! These bars actually taste better the next day as the flavors have a chance to meld and the caramel sets perfectly. You can prepare and bake them a day or two in advance, store them covered at room temperature, and they’ll be ready to impress whenever you need a sweet treat.
What if I don’t have parchment paper? Can I use foil instead?
If you don’t have parchment paper, foil is a good alternative to line your baking pan—just be sure to grease it lightly to prevent sticking. The parchment paper overhang is great for easy removal of the bars, but foil with some butter or spray will work in a pinch.
How do I know when the bars are perfectly baked?
You want the top of the bars to be golden brown and set, and a toothpick inserted into the cookie dough layers should come out with a few moist crumbs but not raw batter. The caramel layer will remain gooey, which is exactly what you want. Overbaking can dry out the bars, so keep an eye near the 30-minute mark and adjust for your oven.
Conclusion
I genuinely can’t recommend this Salted Caramel Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars Recipe enough if you want a dessert that’s simple to make yet so rich and satisfying it feels like a special occasion treat every time. I hope you’ll try it soon and share it with friends and family — it’s one of those recipes that brings everyone together, and I’m confident it will become one of your favorites just like it is for me.
Print
Salted Caramel Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 12 bars
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
These Salted Caramel Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars combine soft, chewy cookie dough with rich caramel and a hint of sea salt for the perfect balance of sweet and salty in every bite. Easy to make with simple ingredients, they bake into a deliciously decadent dessert bar ideal for sharing or indulging.
Ingredients
Cookie Dough
- 1 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 1/2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
Caramel Layer
- 1 cup caramel sauce
- Flaky sea salt, for sprinkling
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a 9×13 inch baking pan with parchment paper, ensuring there is an overhang on the sides to easily lift out the bars later.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the melted butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
- Add Eggs and Vanilla: Incorporate the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition for a smooth batter. Stir in the vanilla extract thoroughly.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt to evenly distribute the leavening and seasoning.
- Mix Dry into Wet: Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet ingredients, stirring just until combined to avoid overmixing and keep the dough tender.
- Add Chocolate Chips: Fold the semi-sweet chocolate chips into the cookie dough gently to distribute them evenly.
- Layer Dough: Spread half of the cookie dough evenly into the prepared baking pan to form the bottom layer.
- Add Caramel: Drizzle the caramel sauce evenly over the dough layer, then sprinkle a pinch of flaky sea salt on top to enhance the caramel flavor.
- Top with Remaining Dough: Drop spoonfuls of the remaining cookie dough over the caramel layer and gently spread it as evenly as possible to cover the caramel.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes or until the top is golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the cookie layer comes out with a few moist crumbs, ensuring the bars are perfectly baked but still gooey.
- Cool and Serve: Let the bars cool completely in the pan on a wire rack. Use the parchment paper overhang to lift them out before cutting into bars. Optionally, sprinkle additional flaky sea salt on top before serving to heighten the salted caramel experience.
Notes
- Use room temperature eggs for better mixing and improved texture in the cookie dough.
- If the caramel sauce is too runny, chill it slightly before layering to prevent it from sinking into the dough.
- For cleaner slices, cool the bars completely and optionally refrigerate before cutting.
- Store bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for extended freshness.
