Salted Caramel Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars Recipe
Salted Caramel Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars are a sweet and salty treat that combines the rich flavors of buttery caramel, gooey chocolate chips, and soft, chewy cookie dough. This dessert is perfect for gatherings, celebrations, or just a comforting indulgence. The combination of salty caramel with sweet chocolate chips creates a delicious balance, making these bars irresistible to anyone who loves dessert with a hint of salt.
Introduction
If you’re a fan of sweet and salty desserts, these Salted Caramel Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars are sure to be your new favorite treat. They bring together the classic flavor of chocolate chip cookies with a luscious layer of homemade salted caramel, all baked into one easy-to-make bar. This recipe is ideal for when you want to make a dessert that’s a little more indulgent than a regular cookie but just as simple to put together.
Whether you’re serving them at a party, packing them into lunchboxes, or enjoying them as a cozy night-in snack, these cookie bars are guaranteed to please. Plus, the addition of sea salt sprinkled over the caramel layer enhances the sweetness and adds a delicious contrast.
Why You’ll Love These Bars
- Perfect Balance of Sweet and Salty: The combination of sweet caramel and chocolate chips with a sprinkle of sea salt creates a mouthwatering contrast.
- Easy to Make: With simple ingredients and straightforward steps, you’ll have these bars ready in no time.
- Crowd Pleaser: Everyone loves cookies and caramel, so these bars are sure to be a hit at any gathering.
- Thick and Chewy Texture: The cookie dough base is soft and chewy, while the caramel adds a gooey layer of richness.
Step-by-Step Instructions
1 Making the Cookie Dough Base
- Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper or lightly grease it to prevent sticking.
- Cream the butter and sugars: In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar using an electric mixer. Beat until the mixture is light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
- Add the eggs and vanilla: Beat in the eggs one at a time, making sure each egg is fully incorporated before adding the next. Stir in the vanilla extract for added flavor.
- Mix in the dry ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, mixing on low speed until combined.
- Fold in the chocolate chips: Using a spatula, gently fold in the chocolate chips until evenly distributed throughout the dough.
- Spread the dough: Take half of the cookie dough and press it into the prepared baking pan, spreading it out evenly to form the base layer.
2 Preparing the Salted Caramel Layer
- Make the caramel: In a medium saucepan, combine the granulated sugar and water over medium heat. Stir until the sugar has dissolved, then stop stirring and allow the sugar to cook undisturbed. It will begin to caramelize, turning a deep amber color. This should take about 5-7 minutes.
- Add the cream and butter: Once the sugar has caramelized, carefully add the heavy cream and butter to the pan (the mixture will bubble up vigorously, so be cautious). Stir until the caramel is smooth and creamy.
- Add the salt: Stir in the sea salt, adjusting to taste if you prefer a more intense salted caramel flavor. Remove the pan from the heat and let the caramel cool slightly before pouring it over the cookie dough.
3 Assembling the Bars
- Layer the caramel: Once the caramel has cooled slightly but is still pourable, pour it over the cookie dough base in the baking pan. Use a spatula to spread it out evenly over the surface.
- Top with remaining cookie dough: Take the remaining cookie dough and drop spoonfuls of it over the caramel layer. Gently press down the dough to cover the caramel as evenly as possible. It’s okay if some caramel peeks through.
4 Baking the Bars
- Bake the bars: Place the baking pan in the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the edges are set.
- Cool completely: Once baked, remove the pan from the oven and allow the bars to cool completely in the pan. This will help the caramel set and make slicing easier.
- Sprinkle with flaky sea salt: Before slicing, sprinkle the top with flaky sea salt for an extra hit of salty goodness.
Tips for Perfect Bars
- Don’t overmix the dough: Overmixing can lead to tough cookie bars. Mix just until the ingredients are combined for the best texture.
- Use parchment paper: Lining your baking pan with parchment paper makes it much easier to lift the bars out and slice them cleanly.
- Be careful with caramel: When making caramel, be sure to watch the sugar carefully as it can go from perfect to burnt in seconds.
Serving Suggestions
- Serve warm: For an extra gooey, decadent treat, warm the bars slightly before serving.
- With ice cream: A scoop of vanilla ice cream on top makes these bars even more indulgent.
- Drizzle with chocolate: For a fancier presentation, drizzle melted chocolate over the top of the cooled bars.
Variations and Substitutions
1 Gluten-Free Option
To make these bars gluten-free, you can substitute the all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend. Be sure to check that the other ingredients, like the chocolate chips, are also gluten-free.
2 Nutty Caramel Variation
For an extra crunch, add chopped pecans or walnuts to the caramel layer before adding the top layer of cookie dough.
3 Dark Chocolate Twist
For a richer flavor, replace the semi-sweet chocolate chips with dark chocolate chips or chunks.
Storing and Freezing Instructions
Storing:
- Room Temperature: Store these bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
- Refrigerator: If you prefer a firmer texture, you can store them in the refrigerator for up to a week.
Freezing:
- Freeze for later: These cookie bars freeze beautifully. Wrap each bar individually in plastic wrap, then store them in a freezer-safe bag for up to 3 months. To enjoy, thaw at room temperature or heat briefly in the microwave.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: Can I use store-bought caramel?
Yes, you can use store-bought caramel sauce if you’re short on time. Just be sure to add a pinch of sea salt to achieve that signature salted caramel flavor.
Q2: How do I know when the caramel is ready?
The caramel is ready when it turns a deep amber color. Be sure not to overcook it, as burnt caramel will taste bitter.
Conclusion
Salted Caramel Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars are a fantastic way to elevate the traditional cookie into a more indulgent, crowd-pleasing dessert. The combination of sweet, gooey caramel with rich chocolate and a hint of salt makes these bars the perfect treat for any occasion. Whether you’re baking for a party or just craving something sweet, this recipe is sure to become a favorite in your kitchen.
Salted Caramel Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars Recipe
Salted Caramel Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars are a sweet and salty treat that combines the rich flavors of buttery caramel, gooey chocolate chips, and soft, chewy cookie dough. This dessert is perfect for gatherings, celebrations, or just a comforting indulgence. The combination of salty caramel with sweet chocolate chips creates a delicious balance, making these bars irresistible to anyone who loves dessert with a hint of salt.
Ingredients
- For the Cookie Dough:
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 3/4 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
- For the Salted Caramel Filling:
- 1 cup caramel sauce (store-bought or homemade)
- 1 teaspoon sea salt (more for sprinkling on top)
Instructions
1. Preheat the Oven:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Line a 9x13-inch baking dish with parchment paper or grease lightly with cooking spray.
2. Make the Cookie Dough:
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar using a hand mixer or stand mixer until light and fluffy (about 2-3 minutes).
- Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until combined.
- Fold in the chocolate chips.
3. Layer the Dough:
- Divide the cookie dough in half.
- Press half of the dough into the prepared baking dish to create an even layer.
4. Add the Salted Caramel:
- Pour the caramel sauce over the first layer of cookie dough, spreading it evenly.
- Sprinkle 1 teaspoon of sea salt evenly over the caramel layer.
5. Add the Top Layer:
- Drop spoonfuls of the remaining cookie dough over the caramel layer, then gently press it down to cover the caramel as much as possible.
6. Bake:
- Bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with only a few moist crumbs.
- Remove from the oven and immediately sprinkle with a little extra sea salt.
7. Cool and Serve:
- Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan before cutting into squares.
- Serve and enjoy!