Easy Salted Caramel Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars Recipe

I am so excited to share my go-to Easy Salted Caramel Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars Recipe with you! This dessert is one of my absolute favorites because it combines the perfect balance of buttery cookie dough, luscious salted caramel, and melty chocolate chips into one irresistible bar. Whenever I make these, the combination of gooey caramel and just a touch of sea salt keeps me coming back for more. It’s such a satisfying treat that also happens to be super simple to pull together, making it my secret weapon for everything from casual get-togethers to special celebrations.

Why You’ll Love This Easy Salted Caramel Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars Recipe

What makes this recipe so uniquely delicious to me is the way the flavors come together in perfect harmony. The cookie base is rich and buttery with just the right amount of sweetness, while the salted caramel layer adds a beautiful gooey texture and a savory-sweet contrast that elevates every bite. The sprinkling of sea salt flakes on top of the caramel really wakes up your taste buds and balances the chocolate chips’ sweetness perfectly.

Besides tasting amazing, I love how straightforward the preparation is. I’m all for desserts that taste like you spent hours in the kitchen but don’t require that amount of effort. With this recipe, I appreciate that the ingredients are pantry staples and the steps are easy to follow, which means I can have this crowd-pleaser ready in less than an hour. I often make these bars for family gatherings, potlucks, or just when I’m craving something special without a lot of fuss. Honestly, it stands out because it combines classic cookie flavors with that indulgent salted caramel finish, and the bar format makes it so easy to slice and share.

Ingredients You’ll Need

The beauty of this recipe lies in its simple but essential ingredients. Each one plays a critical role in creating the cookie bars’ perfect texture, flavor, and appearance. These ingredients are easy to find and will probably already be in your pantry and fridge.

• Unsalted butter: Softened butter ensures the dough is rich and tender without being greasy.
• Granulated sugar: Adds sweetness and provides a delicate crunch in the cookie base.
• Light brown sugar: Brings moisture and depth with molasses notes that enhance the cookie flavor.
• Large eggs: Help bind the ingredients together and add a little fluffiness.
• Vanilla extract: Gives the cookie layers a warm, fragrant undertone that complements the caramel.
• All-purpose flour: The foundation for the chewy cookie texture I love.
• Sea salt: Just a pinch to balance sweetness and create that signature salted caramel zing.
• Baking soda: Provides a gentle lift and tender crumb to the cookie dough.
• Semi-sweet chocolate chips: Melty pockets of chocolate that pair perfectly with caramel.
• Soft caramels: The star of the caramel layer; melts down to a luscious sauce.
• Sweetened condensed milk: Adds creaminess and sweetness to the caramel for that smooth, gooey texture.
• Sea salt flakes: Sprinkled on top of the caramel for a pretty finish and bursting flavor contrast.

Directions

Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper to make sure your bars come out easily without sticking.

Step 2: In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and light brown sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. This usually takes about 3-4 minutes with an electric mixer on medium speed.

Step 3: Beat in the eggs one at a time, making sure each is fully incorporated before adding the next. Then stir in the vanilla extract for that lovely aroma.

Step 4: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, sea salt, and baking soda. This ensures the dry ingredients are evenly distributed and prevents clumps when mixing with the wet ingredients.

Step 5: Gradually add the dry mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing just until combined. Be careful not to overmix here to keep your bars tender.

Step 6: Fold in the semi-sweet chocolate chips, spreading them evenly throughout the dough for delicious chocolate pockets in every bite.

Step 7: Press about two-thirds of the cookie dough evenly into the prepared pan. This will form the sturdy base layer for your bars.

Step 8: Next, prepare the caramel mixture. In a saucepan over low heat, combine the unwrapped soft caramels and sweetened condensed milk. Stir constantly until the caramels are completely melted and the mixture is smooth.

Step 9: Remove the saucepan from the heat, then stir in the sea salt flakes. This step is key for that perfect salty-sweet balance.

Step 10: Pour the salted caramel mixture evenly over the cookie dough base in the pan.

Step 11: Drop spoonfuls of the remaining cookie dough over the caramel layer. Don’t worry if it looks uneven; it will spread and bake beautifully.

Step 12: Bake the bars for 30-35 minutes, until the top is golden brown and the bars set but still soft in the center.

Step 13: Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan before slicing into squares. This resting step helps the caramel firm up so you get nice clean edges.

Servings and Timing

This recipe makes about 16 generous cookie bars, perfect for sharing with family and friends. The prep time is roughly 15 minutes, with a cook time of 30 to 35 minutes. Including cooling time, you should set aside about an hour total from start to finish. I always recommend giving the bars plenty of time to cool so the caramel sets properly and the bars hold their shape when sliced.

How to Serve This Easy Salted Caramel Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars Recipe

When I serve these cookie bars, I love to keep things simple so the flavors shine through. They are perfect on their own, but if you want to add a special touch, try serving them alongside a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a drizzle of warm chocolate ganache. The cold ice cream against the warm, gooey caramel is absolute magic in my book.

For presentation, sprinkling a few extra sea salt flakes on top just before serving adds a lovely finishing touch that also enhances the flavor. I like to cut the bars into neat squares and arrange them on a pretty platter, maybe garnished with a few fresh berries or mint leaves for a pop of color.

These bars pair beautifully with a cup of strong coffee, a glass of cold milk, or even a lightly chilled dessert wine like a late harvest Riesling. I find them especially delightful during holiday parties, family dinners, or whenever I want to bring a little festive sweetness to a casual gathering. I prefer serving them at room temperature or slightly warmed for that perfect gooey texture.

Variations

One of the fun parts about this Easy Salted Caramel Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars Recipe is how easy it is to customize. If you want to mix things up, I sometimes swap the semi-sweet chocolate chips for chunks of dark chocolate, white chocolate, or even peanut butter chips for a different flavor twist.

If you’re looking for gluten-free options, I’ve had great success replacing the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free baking blend—you just want to make sure it has xanthan gum or a similar binder for the best texture. For a vegan version, you can use dairy-free butter, flax eggs instead of regular eggs, and vegan caramel candies that melt well. It takes a little experimentation but is totally doable and delicious!

I also like to experiment with cooking methods, like using a convection oven setting for an extra even bake or trying slightly smaller pans for thicker bars. Just remember that the baking time might need adjusting if you change pan sizes.

Storage and Reheating

Storing Leftovers

Leftover cookie bars keep wonderfully in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days. I recommend separating layers with parchment paper if you stack the bars to prevent them from sticking together. They’ll stay soft and gooey but firm enough to handle during storage.

Freezing

You can absolutely freeze these cookie bars! I usually cut them into individual portions first, then wrap each one tightly in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer-safe container or zip-top bag. They’ll keep well for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to enjoy, just thaw them overnight in the fridge for the best texture.

Reheating

To reheat, I like to warm the bars gently in a microwave for about 15-20 seconds or pop them in a preheated 325°F oven for 5-7 minutes. This revitalizes the gooey caramel and warm chocolate without drying out the cookie base. Avoid overheating because that can cause the caramel to harden and the bars to become crumbly.

FAQs

Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted butter?

You can use salted butter, but since the recipe also calls for sea salt in the dough and on top of the caramel, I recommend reducing the added sea salt slightly to avoid over-salting the final bars. Unsalted butter gives you more control over the salt balance.

What type of caramel candies work best?

Soft caramel candies that melt smoothly are ideal. I usually pick the classic chewy caramels like Kraft or store brands, which melt beautifully with the condensed milk. Avoid caramels that are hard or overly stiff, as they can seize or create a grainy texture.

Can I make this recipe ahead of time?

Absolutely! These bars are great made a day in advance, which gives the flavors time to meld and lets the caramel set up perfectly. Just store them covered at room temperature or in the fridge, and slice before serving.

Why do I need to line the baking pan with parchment paper?

Lining the pan ensures the cookie bars don’t stick, making it much easier to lift them out for slicing clean bars. It also helps prevent burning on the edges and supports even baking.

Can I add nuts to the cookie bars?

Definitely! Chopped pecans or walnuts are delicious additions and add a lovely crunch that pairs perfectly with the soft caramel and chocolate chips. I usually add about 1 cup of nuts right along with the chocolate chips when folding the dough.

Conclusion

If you’re looking for a dessert that’s equally comforting and impressive, this Easy Salted Caramel Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars Recipe is exactly what you need. It’s a delightful balance of flavors and textures, made simple with straightforward ingredients and steps. I promise once you try these, they’ll become a favorite in your baking repertoire just like they are in mine. So grab your ingredients, preheat that oven, and get ready to enjoy some serious cookie bar bliss!

Print