These Salted Caramel Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars are the perfect combination of chewy chocolate chip cookies and rich, gooey caramel, topped off with a sprinkle of sea salt for that irresistible sweet and salty flavor. Whether you’re making a treat for a gathering or simply indulging in a sweet craving, these bars are sure to hit the spot. The contrast of smooth caramel and decadent chocolate chips, along with the touch of fleur de sel, makes each bite an absolute delight.

These cookie bars are an easy-to-make dessert that combines all the classic comfort of chocolate chip cookies with a decadent twist. The addition of caramel and sea salt elevates this treat to a whole new level, making it the perfect indulgence for anyone who loves a sweet and salty combo. With simple ingredients and a straightforward process, these bars are an ideal treat for beginners and seasoned bakers alike.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

1. Perfect Texture

These cookie bars strike the perfect balance between chewy, gooey, and slightly crisp. The caramel creates a soft, almost fudgy texture, while the chocolate chips add a delightful melt-in-your-mouth feel.

2. Salted Caramel Twist

The salted caramel adds an irresistible sweetness with a touch of salty flavor, creating the perfect contrast to the rich chocolate chips. The fleur de sel on top enhances the flavor, making each bite even more satisfying.

3. Easy to Make

Unlike traditional cookies, these bars come together quickly and easily in one pan. No need to scoop out individual cookie dough balls, just spread the dough in a baking dish and let the oven do the work.

4. Crowd-Pleasing

These cookie bars are perfect for gatherings, parties, or a family treat. The combination of caramel and chocolate is a crowd favorite, making these bars a go-to recipe for any occasion.

5. Make-Ahead Friendly

You can easily make these bars in advance, and they stay fresh for several days. They also freeze well, so you can enjoy them at a later time.

Ingredients

2 ⅛ cups all-purpose flour
½ teaspoon baking soda

½ teaspoon salt
12 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted and cooled to room temperature
1 cup light brown sugar

½ cup granulated sugar
1 egg
1 egg yolk

2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
10 ounces caramel candy squares, unwrapped

3 tablespoons heavy cream
Fleur de sel (or other sea salt) for sprinkling

Variations

Add Nuts

For a crunchy twist, add 1 cup of chopped nuts, such as walnuts, pecans, or almonds. The nuts will complement the sweet caramel and chocolate, adding extra texture and flavor.

Use Milk Chocolate

If you prefer milk chocolate over semisweet, feel free to substitute it. Milk chocolate will give the bars a sweeter, creamier taste.

Make It Vegan

For a vegan version, swap the butter for a plant-based alternative and use non-dairy chocolate chips. You can also find vegan caramel options, or make your own caramel using coconut milk and sugar.

Add More Caramel

If you can’t get enough of the caramel, drizzle extra melted caramel over the top before sprinkling with sea salt. This will add a more intense caramel flavor to the bars.

How to Make the Recipe

Step 1: Preheat the Oven

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line an 8×8-inch baking dish with parchment paper, allowing a slight overhang to make it easier to remove the bars later.

Step 2: Prepare the Cookie Dough

In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. In a large mixing bowl, beat the melted butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar together until smooth and combined. Add the egg, egg yolk, and vanilla extract, and beat until creamy and well-combined. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Fold in the chocolate chips.

Step 3: Bake the Bars

Spread the cookie dough evenly into the prepared baking dish. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the top is golden brown, and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with a few moist crumbs.

Step 4: Prepare the Caramel

While the bars are baking, make the caramel. In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt the caramel candies and heavy cream together, stirring constantly until smooth and fully melted. Once the bars are out of the oven, allow them to cool for 10 minutes before pouring the caramel over the top.

Step 5: Top with Sea Salt

After pouring the caramel over the bars, sprinkle a generous pinch of fleur de sel (or other sea salt) on top to enhance the sweet-salty flavor.

Step 6: Cool and Slice

Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan. Once cooled, lift the parchment paper out of the pan and cut into squares.

Tips for Making the Recipe

Don’t Overmix the Dough: When adding the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mix just until combined. Overmixing can lead to dense, tough cookie bars.
Chill the Dough (Optional): If you want extra thick bars, chill the dough for 30 minutes before baking. This helps prevent spreading and gives the bars a thicker, chewier texture.
Use Room Temperature Butter: Make sure the butter is melted and cooled to room temperature before using. This will help it blend more smoothly with the sugars.

Let the Bars Cool Completely: Let the bars cool for at least 10 minutes before pouring the caramel over them. This helps prevent the caramel from soaking into the bars too much.
Use Good Quality Caramel: For the best flavor, use high-quality caramel candies or homemade caramel. This will make a huge difference in the final taste of the bars.

How to Serve

These Salted Caramel Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars can be served warm or at room temperature. They’re perfect on their own as a sweet snack or dessert. You can also serve them with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a drizzle of hot fudge for an extra indulgent treat.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store the bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4-5 days. They can also be stored in the fridge for longer shelf life, though they may lose a bit of their chewy texture when refrigerated.

Freezing

These cookie bars freeze wonderfully. To freeze, cut them into squares and place them in a single layer on a baking sheet. Once frozen solid, transfer the bars to a freezer-safe bag or container. They can be kept frozen for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature or heat in the microwave for a warm treat.

Reheating

To reheat the bars, place them in a microwave-safe dish and heat for about 15-20 seconds or until warm.

FAQs

1. Can I use dark chocolate chips instead of semisweet?

Yes! Dark chocolate chips will provide a slightly more intense chocolate flavor and work great in this recipe.

2. Can I use a different type of caramel?

You can use homemade caramel or a different brand of caramel candies. Just make sure they melt smoothly and easily when mixed with the heavy cream.

3. Can I make these bars ahead of time?

Yes, you can make these bars in advance. Store them in an airtight container for up to 5 days or freeze them for later.

4. Can I add nuts to the bars?

Absolutely! Walnuts, pecans, or almonds would make a delicious addition to these bars. Just fold them in with the chocolate chips.

5. Can I make these bars gluten-free?

Yes! You can use a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend in place of regular flour. Make sure to check the caramel for gluten if using store-bought.

6. How can I make the caramel more runny?

If you’d like a more pourable caramel, simply add a little more cream when melting the caramel candies.

7. How do I get the perfect golden color on the bars?

Keep an eye on the baking time. If you notice the edges getting too dark, you can cover the pan with aluminum foil and continue baking until the center is done.

8. Can I make these bars without the sea salt?

While the sea salt enhances the sweet and salty flavor, it’s optional. You can skip it if you prefer a sweeter treat.

9. Can I make these bars without eggs?

If you need an egg-free version, you can substitute the eggs with a flax egg or another egg replacer.

10. How do I know when the bars are done baking?

The bars are done when the edges are golden brown, and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with a few moist crumbs.

Conclusion

These Salted Caramel Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars are a delightful dessert that combines all the flavors you love—chocolate, caramel, and a touch of salt. With their chewy texture, decadent caramel, and melty chocolate chips, they’re perfect for any occasion. Whether you’re serving them at a party, taking them to a potluck, or enjoying them on your own, they are sure to satisfy your sweet tooth.