Salted Caramel Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars

Salted Caramel Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars have two cookie layers with creamy salted caramel in the center. They are topped with flakes of sea salt for the ultimate sweet + salty treat!

In the realm of irresistible treats, my Salted Caramel Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars stand as a testament to the harmonious marriage of sweet and salty flavors. This dessert is not just a cookie; it’s a rich, gooey, and utterly indulgent experience that will leave your taste buds singing with joy. The combination of buttery cookie dough, velvety caramel, and luscious milk chocolate chips creates a symphony of textures and tastes that elevates this treat to a league of its own. Also, this dessert truly lets you have the best of both worlds so that you don’t have to just pick one thing to end the night with.

SALTED CARAMEL CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIE BARS

Imagine sinking your teeth into a decadent treat that seamlessly blends the rich flavors of buttery cookie dough, creamy caramel, and indulgent milk chocolate chips. The layers unfold like a symphony on the palate, each bite delivering the perfect balance of sweetness and a hint of salt.

These cookie bars boast a dual-layered delight, with the first half of the cookie dough forming a sturdy foundation, ready to cradle the heavenly caramel filling. The gooey caramel reveals its sweetness, complemented by the chocolate chips that add bursts of richness. The finishing touch of flaked sea salt enhances the overall experience, turning this dessert into an irresistible harmony of textures and tastes.

INGREDIENTS

• 1 cup salted butter, softened
• 1 cup packed light brown sugar
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1/2 Tablespoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 cups milk chocolate chips
• 1 can (14 ounces) sweetened condensed milk
• 1 bag (10 ounces) soft caramels, unwrapped (I use the Werther’s chewy caramels)
• 1/2 teaspoon flaked sea salt, divided

COOKING INSTRUCTIONS

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line a 9×13-inch baking dish with parchment paper. Spray the paper generously with nonstick spray. Set aside. 

In the bowl of an electric stand mixer, beat the butter with both sugars until combined and fluffy. Add the eggs, vanilla, salt, and baking soda. Mix well and scrape the sides of the bowl with a spatula to ensure everything combines. 

Turn the mixer to low speed and gradually add the flour. Mix until combined. Stir in the chocolate chips. Press only half of the cookie dough evenly in the bottom of the prepared baking dish.

In a medium-sized saucepan, add the sweetened condensed milk and unwrapped caramels. Turn heat to medium-low heat and stir until the caramels melt. Pour the caramel filling evenly over the cookie dough in the pan. Take ¼ teaspoon of the flaked sea salt and sprinkle all over the top of the caramel filling.

Take sections of the remaining cookie dough and flatten them with your clean hands. Place the flattened pieces of cookie dough evenly over the caramel filling. Bake for 23 to 25 minutes or until golden-brown and center is set.  

Sprinkle the remaining sea salt flakes all over the top after removing from the oven. Cool completely before cutting into bars. Serve and enjoy!

SERVINGS

This recipe results in a generously sized 9×13-inch pan offering approximately 16 hearty servings or 32 small bars. The choice is yours! Whether you’re planning a festive family gathering, a celebration, or simply looking to sweeten a cozy evening, these bars are the ideal treat.

STORING INSTRUCTIONS

Once the bars have cooled, securely store in an airtight container to maintain optimal freshness. Refrigeration is recommended. These bars can be stored for 5 days in the fridge. They also freeze very well. Store the cooled bars in a freezer-safe bag or container and freeze up to one month. When ready to eat, heat in microwave for 10 to 15 seconds or allow to come to room temperature. Enjoy!

ADDITIONS

While this recipe already boasts a perfect combination of chocolate, caramel, and sea salt, the culinary adventure doesn’t have to stop there. Feel free to explore a spectrum of flavors by incorporating favorite add-ins. Nuts like pecans or walnuts can add a delightful crunch, and a sprinkle of shredded coconut can introduce a tropical twist. The versatility of this recipe invites you to unleash your creativity, making each preparation a unique and personalized culinary experience that suits your taste preferences.

SOMETHING EXTRA SWEET

Pairing these with a scoop of velvety ice cream elevates the dessert experience to new heights. Picture the warm cookie bars, fresh from the oven, their gooey caramel centers and melty chocolate chips creating a heavenly contrast with the cool, creamy texture of your favorite ice cream. The combination of warm and cold, sweet, and slightly salty, forms a delightful contrast that tantalizes the taste buds. Whether it’s a classic vanilla, rich chocolate, or indulgent salted caramel ice cream, the pairing adds an extra layer of decadence to each spoonful!

ENJOY THIS RECIPE? HERE ARE A FEW MORE DESSERTS BARS!

S’mores Cookie Bars – All your favorite campfire ingredients including graham cracker, marshmallow, and chocolate are baked into a sweet bar to share.

Brownie Caramel Coconut Bars – Your favorite chocolatey brownie just got a whole lot better with the addition of gooey caramel and toasted coconut.

Lunch Lady Peanut Butter Bars – This dessert is about to unlock a childhood memory! Warm peanut butter bars with a layer of chocolate frosting on top!

Sugar Cookie Bars – Why have one single cookie when you can have an entire sheet pan full of them? This recipe turns a single serving into an entire tray!

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