Irresistible Salted Caramel Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars Recipe

Dive into a world of decadent sweetness with these irresistible salted caramel chocolate chip cookie bars that blend rich, gooey caramel with classic chocolate chip comfort.

These heavenly bars strike the perfect balance between salty and sweet, creating a dessert that melts in your mouth.

Each square promises a symphony of flavors that dance across your taste buds with incredible depth.

Smooth caramel ribbons weave through chunks of chocolate, promising a luxurious treat that feels both nostalgic and sophisticated.

The hint of sea salt elevates every single bite, cutting through the sweetness with a sophisticated edge.

Baked to golden perfection, these cookie bars deliver a sensational experience that will have everyone asking for seconds.

One taste, and you’ll understand why these bars are the ultimate indulgence for any chocolate and caramel lover.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 40 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour

Calories: 1063 kcal

Servings: 2

Ingredients to Make Salted Caramel Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars

• Unsalted Butter: Provides rich, creamy foundation with smooth texture and helps bind ingredients together; choose high-quality butter for best flavor.
• Caster Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps create tender, delicate cookie texture; fine granules dissolve quickly for even distribution.
• Large Egg: Acts as binding agent and provides structure to the cookie bars; ensure fresh eggs at room temperature.
• Plain Flour: Creates tender, soft base with perfect crumb; sift to remove lumps and ensure smooth consistency.
• Pinch Of Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances sweetness; use fine sea salt for best results.

• Chocolate Chips: Adds delightful chocolate bursts and creates pockets of melty goodness; choose high-quality chocolate with at least 50% cocoa content.
• Melted Chocolate: Provides deep, rich chocolate layer and intensifies overall chocolate experience; use dark or semi-sweet chocolate for complex flavor.

• Caster Sugar: Transforms into golden, rich caramel with deep, complex flavor; watch carefully during caramelization to prevent burning.
• Unsalted Butter: Adds creamy richness and helps stabilize caramel sauce; use room temperature butter for smooth incorporation.
• Double Cream: Creates silky, luxurious caramel texture and adds depth; ensure room temperature for seamless blending.
• Salt: Balances sweetness and creates signature salted caramel flavor; adjust to personal taste preference.

Equipment for Baking Caramel Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars

• Stand Mixer or Hand Mixer: Essential for creaming butter and sugar smoothly and incorporating ingredients evenly.
• Large Mixing Bowl: Perfect for combining all cookie dough ingredients and creating a uniform mixture.
• Baking Tray (1.5-inch deep): Crucial for shaping and baking the cookie bars with the right thickness.
• Parchment Paper: Helps prevent sticking and makes removing the bars easy.
• Spatula: Great for pressing dough evenly into the tray and scraping mixture from sides of the bowl.
• Saucepan: Needed for creating the salted caramel sauce with precise temperature control.
• Sharp Knife: Useful for cutting cooled cookie bars into neat, even pieces.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Ensures accurate ingredient proportions for consistent results.

Steps to Make Salted Caramel Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars

• Prep Station Warmth

Settle your kitchen with a cozy oven temperature of 350°F and line a baking tray with smooth parchment paper that will cradle your delicious creation.

• Butter Bliss

Whip soft butter and sugar into a cloud-like mixture, blending until they become a creamy dream that promises decadent texture.

• Dough Magic

Fold in an egg, then gently mix flour, a whisper of salt, and chocolate chips into a rich, tempting cookie foundation that hints at pure comfort.

• Tray Transformation

Spread your dough evenly across the prepared tray, creating a welcoming canvas about half an inch thick, then let it chill and relax in the refrigerator.

• Golden Baking Moment

Slide the tray into the warm oven, watching for a golden sunset color to emerge after 18-20 minutes, then allow your bars to cool completely.

• Caramel Enchantment

Craft liquid gold by melting sugar in a pan, stirring with patience until it transforms, then introduce butter with confident swirls and a minute of boiling magic.

• Final Touch

Drizzle your silky caramel over the cooled cookie base, sprinkle with extra chocolate chips, and let everything mingle in the refrigerator overnight for maximum deliciousness.

Baking Tips and Creative Mix-Ins for Cookie Bars

• Drizzle the salted caramel in zigzag patterns across the cookie base for a professional bakery-style presentation that looks stunning and adds extra caramel flavor in every bite.
• Mix different types of chocolate chips like milk, dark, and semi-sweet to create a more complex and rich chocolate experience that elevates the overall taste profile.
• Store these bars in an airtight container between parchment paper layers for up to 5 days at room temperature, or freeze for 3 weeks to enjoy a make-ahead dessert that stays fresh and delicious.
• Let the caramel cool just until it's slightly warm before pouring over the cookie base – this ensures a smooth, glossy finish without making the bars soggy or breaking the delicate cookie structure.
• Sprinkle flaky sea salt on top of the caramel before it sets completely to enhance the sweet-salty balance and add a gourmet touch that makes these bars feel extra special and restaurant-worthy.

Serving Guide for Salted Caramel Cookie Bars

• Sweet Social Gathering Delight: Serve these decadent bars at book club meetings or neighborhood potlucks where friends will absolutely love the rich, indulgent treat.
• Party Platter Perfection: Arrange the cookie bars on a beautiful wooden board with fresh berries and mint leaves for an elegant dessert presentation that looks professionally crafted.
• Coffee Companion Classic: Pair these salted caramel chocolate chip bars with a steaming cappuccino or smooth cold brew, creating a delightful afternoon snack that balances sweet and robust flavors.
• Gifting Gourmet Option: Wrap individual bars in parchment paper with a decorative ribbon, making them a charming homemade gift for teachers, neighbors, or weekend hostess presents that showcase your baking skills.

Proper Storage for Chocolate Chip Caramel Bars

• Smart Storage Solutions: Seal cooled bars in an airtight container, keeping them fresh at room temperature for 5-7 days.
• Freezing Fantastic: Wrap individual bars in plastic wrap, then place in freezer bags. They'll stay delicious for up to 3 months, ready to enjoy anytime.
• Fridge Freshness Trick: Store layered between parchment paper to prevent sticking and maintain texture. Consume within a week for optimal taste and quality.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare cookie base and caramel sauce separately, assembling just before serving to keep crispness and prevent soggy bottoms. Refrigerate components up to 3 days in advance for stress-free entertaining.

Irresistible Salted Caramel Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars Recipe

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4.6 from 19 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour
• Yield: 2 1x

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Description

Irresistible salted caramel chocolate chip cookie bars combine rich chocolate with silky caramel in a perfect sweet-salty treat. Crisp edges and chewy centers promise delectable indulgence that will satisfy chocolate cravings instantly.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 250 grams (8.8 oz) caster sugar
• 175 grams (6.2 oz) unsalted butter, softened
• 1 large egg
• 300 grams (10.6 oz) plain flour, sifted
• 100 grams (3.5 oz) chocolate chips
• 100 grams (3.5 oz) unsalted butter, room temperature
• 210 milliliters (7.1 fl oz) double cream, room temperature
• 50 grams (1.8 oz) melted chocolate
• 50 grams (1.8 oz) chocolate chips
• 50 grams (1.8 oz) caster sugar
• 1–2 tsps salt (adjust to taste)
• 1 pinch salt

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Instructions

1. Preparation: Line a 9×13 inch baking pan with parchment paper, creating an overhang for easy removal.
2. Dough Mixing: Cream butter and sugar until fluffy, then integrate egg until smooth. Gradually incorporate flour and salt, folding in chocolate chips to create a uniform dough.
3. Dough Setting: Press dough evenly into prepared pan, ensuring a compact 1/2 inch thick layer. Refrigerate for 30 minutes to stabilize structure.
4. Baking Process: Position oven rack in middle and preheat to 350°F. Bake cookie base for 18-20 minutes until edges turn golden and center sets. Cool completely at room temperature.
5. Caramel Creation: Melt sugar in a heavy saucepan over medium heat, stirring to prevent burning. Transform into deep amber liquid, then whisk in butter vigorously. Remove from heat and blend in sea salt for a complex flavor profile.
6. Caramel Application: Pour warm salted caramel evenly across cooled cookie base, ensuring complete coverage. Refrigerate overnight to solidify caramel layer.
7. Finishing Touches: Extract entire dessert using parchment paper overhang. Slice into uniform bars, then embellish with dark chocolate drizzle and additional chocolate chip garnish.

Notes

• Chill Dough Thoroughly: Refrigerate cookie base for 30 minutes to prevent spreading and maintain structured, compact layers during baking.
• Watch Caramel Carefully: Monitor sugar transformation closely while stirring continuously to prevent burning and achieve perfect amber color.
• Use Quality Ingredients: Select high-fat unsalted butter and premium chocolate chips for rich, deep flavor complexity.
• Perfect Cutting Technique: Allow bars to set overnight, then use sharp knife and clean cuts for professional-looking, uniform dessert presentation.

• Prep Time: 40 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 2
• Calories: 1063
• Sugar: 83 g
• Sodium: 0.5 g
• Fat: 62 g
• Saturated Fat: 38 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 24 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 107 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 6 g
• Cholesterol: 138 mg