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Gooey Salted Caramel Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars

Ultra-soft cookie bars layered with gooey caramel, melted chocolate chips, and finished with flaky sea salt.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 12 bars
Course: Dessert, Snack
Cuisine: American, Autumn
Calories: 220

Ingredients
  

Cookie Batter
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • 0.5 tsp baking soda
  • 0.5 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • 0.5 tsp nutmeg
  • 0.25 tsp cloves optional
  • 0.5 cup unsalted butter softened
  • 0.75 cup brown sugar packed
  • 1 egg large
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 0.75 cup apple cider
Filling
  • 0.5 cup unsalted butter softened
  • 1.5 cups powdered sugar
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 2-3 tbsp cream or milk

Equipment

  • Mixing bowls
  • Baking sheet
  • Wire rack
  • Hand mixer or stand mixer

Method
 

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
  2. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves.
  3. In another bowl, cream butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Add egg and vanilla extract, mixing well.
  4. Gradually mix in dry ingredients, alternating with apple cider, until a soft batter forms.
  5. Drop batter into prepared pan, spread evenly, layer caramel, and top with remaining batter.
  6. Bake 25–30 minutes until lightly golden. Cool completely before slicing.

Notes

For extra gooey bars, slightly underbake and let cool fully before slicing.