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Gooey Salted Caramel Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars: The Ultimate Indulgent Dessert
If there’s one dessert that never fails to steal the show, it’s Gooey Salted Caramel Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars. Imagine everything you love about classic chocolate chip cookies — buttery dough, rich chocolate, soft centers — combined with a thick layer of molten caramel and finished with a delicate sprinkle of flaky sea salt. These bars are rich, dramatic, and unapologetically indulgent, making them perfect for special occasions, bake sales, holidays, or whenever your sweet tooth demands something extraordinary.
Unlike traditional cookies that require scooping and multiple baking trays, cookie bars are refreshingly simple. Everything comes together in one pan, yet the final result feels bakery-level impressive. The salted caramel layer melts into the cookie dough as it bakes, creating pockets of gooey sweetness that contrast beautifully with the slightly crisp edges and soft, chewy center.
From an SEO perspective, these bars hit all the right notes: easy dessert bars, salted caramel treats, and chocolate chip cookie bars are consistently high-interest search terms — and for good reason. They’re comforting, crowd-pleasing, and endlessly adaptable.
Let’s dive into what makes these bars so special and how you can make them perfectly every time.
Why You’ll Love These Salted Caramel Cookie Bars
There are countless dessert bar recipes online, but this one stands out for several reasons:
- Maximum gooeyness without being underbaked
- Balanced sweetness thanks to flaky sea salt
- Simple ingredients you likely already have
- One-pan convenience — less mess, less stress
- Perfect texture contrast: crisp edges, soft center, molten caramel
These bars are ideal for beginner bakers but impressive enough for seasoned dessert lovers. They slice cleanly once cooled, yet remain irresistibly gooey inside.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Cookie Bar Base
- All-purpose flour
- Baking soda
- Salt
- Unsalted butter
- Brown sugar
- Granulated sugar
- Eggs
- Vanilla extract
- Semi-sweet chocolate chips
Caramel Layer
- Soft caramel candies or caramel baking squares
- Heavy cream
Finishing Touch
- Flaky sea salt (such as Maldon)
Each ingredient plays a role in building flavor and texture. Brown sugar adds moisture and chewiness, while granulated sugar helps with structure. The caramel layer melts into a luxurious center that stays soft even after cooling.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Preheat your oven and prepare a baking pan with parchment paper.
- Whisk together dry ingredients to ensure even distribution.
- Cream butter and sugars until light and fluffy — this step is key for texture.
- Add eggs and vanilla, mixing until fully incorporated.
- Fold in dry ingredients gently to avoid overmixing.
- Stir in chocolate chips.
- Press half the dough into the pan to form the base.
- Melt caramel with cream until smooth and pourable.
- Spread caramel evenly over the base layer.
- Drop remaining dough over the caramel layer, leaving small gaps.
- Bake until golden on top but still soft in the center.
- Sprinkle with flaky sea salt while warm.
- Cool completely before slicing for clean edges.
Pro Tips for Perfect Gooey Bars
- Don’t overbake: The center should look slightly underdone when removed from the oven.
- Use parchment paper for easy lifting and slicing.
- Cool completely before cutting — patience pays off.
- Choose quality caramel for best flavor and meltability.
Flavor Variations to Try
- Dark Chocolate Sea Salt Bars: Swap semi-sweet chips for dark chocolate chunks.
- Nutty Caramel Bars: Add toasted pecans or walnuts to the dough.
- Espresso Caramel Bars: Add 1 teaspoon espresso powder to the cookie dough.
- Holiday Twist: Add a pinch of cinnamon or cardamom for warmth.
Serving Suggestions
Serve these bars slightly warm with:
- Vanilla ice cream
- Fresh whipped cream
- A drizzle of extra caramel sauce
- A cup of strong coffee or hot chocolate
They also make excellent gifts when wrapped individually and stored in airtight containers.
Storage & Make-Ahead Tips
- Store at room temperature for up to 3 days.
- Refrigerate for up to 1 week for firmer texture.
- Freeze sliced bars for up to 2 months.
Simply reheat briefly for that fresh-from-the-oven gooeyness.
Fun Fact: Why Salted Caramel Works So Well
Salted caramel became popular because salt enhances sweetness while cutting through richness. In baked goods, it prevents desserts from tasting flat, adding depth and balance — which is exactly why these bars are so addictive.
Gooey Salted Caramel Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars
Rich chocolate chip cookie bars layered with molten salted caramel and baked until perfectly gooey.
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking pan with parchment paper.
- Whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt in a bowl.
- Cream butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add eggs and vanilla extract, mixing until smooth.
- Gradually mix in dry ingredients, then fold in chocolate chips.
- Press half of the dough evenly into the prepared pan.
- Melt caramel candies with heavy cream until smooth, then spread over dough.
- Drop remaining dough over caramel layer, leaving small gaps.
- Bake for 28–32 minutes until golden but still soft in the center.
- Sprinkle with flaky sea salt and cool completely before slicing.
Notes
For extra gooey bars, slightly underbake and allow to set while cooling.
