Name: Salted Caramel Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 45 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 cup (2 sticks) salted butter, at room temperature; 1 cup packed light brown sugar; ½ cup granulated white sugar; 2 large eggs; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 1 teaspoon Kosher salt; 1 teaspoon baking soda; 2½ cups all purpose flour; 2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips; One 14-ounce can sweetened condensed milk; 10 ounces soft caramels (unwrapped) (about 40 caramels); 1 teaspoon flaked sea salt

Jump to Recipe· 4.1 from 15 reviews

If you’re a dessert lover searching for the perfect balance of sweet, salty, and chocolatey goodness, this Salted Caramel Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars Recipe is going to become your new obsession. Imagine rich, buttery cookie bars studded generously with semi-sweet chocolate chips, layered with luscious, gooey caramel, and finished with a sprinkle of flaky sea salt that makes every bite a perfect harmony of flavors. This recipe offers the ideal take on classic cookie bars with an irresistible twist that’s both comforting and indulgent. Whether you’re baking for a crowd or treating yourself, these bars are guaranteed to steal the spotlight at any occasion.

Ingredients You’ll Need

A clear glass bowl filled with a rough-textured, light beige cookie dough mixed evenly with many dark brown chocolate chips. The dough has a slightly crumbly appearance with chunks sticking together. The bowl sits on a white marbled surface with some dough residue on the bowl's side. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Gathering the right ingredients is the first step to baking these decadent bars. Each component plays an important role, from providing the perfect tenderness and chewiness to infusing that signature salted caramel flavor and a satisfying texture that melts in your mouth.

Salted butter (1 cup, 2 sticks): Using room temperature butter ensures a smooth, creamy dough that bakes up soft and tender.
Light brown sugar (1 cup, packed): Adds moisture and a hint of molasses flavor for that rich, chewy texture.
Granulated white sugar (½ cup): Balances sweetness and helps with that slight crisp edge.
Large eggs (2): Bind everything together while contributing to a moist crumb.
Vanilla extract (1 teaspoon): Elevates all the flavors with its warm, aromatic notes.
Kosher salt (1 teaspoon): Enhances the sweetness while counterbalancing the caramel’s richness.
Baking soda (1 teaspoon): Gives a slight rise and tenderness to the bars.
All-purpose flour (2½ cups): The base that forms the sturdy yet soft structure of the cookie bars.
Semi-sweet chocolate chips (2 cups): Melt into pockets of chocolatey bliss with every bite.
Sweetened condensed milk (one 14-ounce can): Creates a luscious, creamy caramel layer when melted with caramels.
Soft caramels (10 ounces, about 40 unwrapped): The star of the show, melting into a beautiful golden caramel topping.
Flaked sea salt (1 teaspoon): Sprinkled on top for that perfect final touch of texture and flavor contrast.

How to Make Salted Caramel Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars Recipe

Step 1: Prepare Your Pan and Preheat the Oven

Start by preheating your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a 9×13-inch baking pan with foil and be generous with cooking spray to ensure the bars release easily when baked. This prep step sets the foundation for easy cleanup and perfectly shaped cookie bars.

Step 2: Mix the Dough

In a large bowl, use an electric mixer to cream together the softened butter, light brown sugar, and granulated sugar on medium speed for about 2 minutes until the mixture looks fluffy and luscious. Then add the eggs, vanilla extract, kosher salt, and baking soda, continuing to mix until everything is fully combined and smooth. Lower the mixer speed and slowly add your flour, mixing just until combined. Finally, fold in the semi-sweet chocolate chips so they’re evenly distributed throughout the dough.

Step 3: Press Dough and Prepare Caramel Layer

Reserve about a quarter of the cookie dough to use as a topping later. Press the remaining three-quarters firmly and evenly into your prepared pan, ensuring an even base layer for the bars. Now, combine the sweetened condensed milk and unwrapped soft caramels in a medium saucepan, cooking over medium-low heat while stirring frequently. When the caramels have fully melted into a smooth, glossy caramel, you’re ready for the next step.

Step 4: Layer the Caramel and Top Layer Dough

Pour three-quarters of the warm caramel mixture over the pressed cookie dough base, spreading it gently and evenly. Using a teaspoon, drop the reserved cookie dough in small dollops on top of the caramel layer across the entire pan. This creates a marbled effect with some of the cookie dough peeking through the caramel. Save any leftover caramel — it makes a heavenly drizzle over ice cream or coffee.

Step 5: Bake Until Just Set

Place the pan in your preheated oven and bake for 25 to 30 minutes. You want the center to be just set and not overly browned. The bars will firm up further as they cool, so avoid overbaking to keep them soft and chewy.

Step 6: Finish with Flaked Sea Salt and Cool

As soon as the bars come out of the oven, sprinkle the flaked sea salt evenly over the top. This final touch creates that signature salted caramel experience, enhancing the sweetness with bursts of salty crunch. Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan before lifting out with the foil and slicing into generous squares.

How to Serve Salted Caramel Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars Recipe

The image shows a close-up of a single square piece of baked dessert with two visible layers. The top layer is a light golden brown with a slightly rough, crumbly texture and a few melting chocolate chips scattered on top. The bottom layer is a melted, creamy, light caramel color filled with melted chocolate pieces that look soft and gooey. The dessert is placed on a light wooden surface with a metal spatula partly visible holding it from underneath. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Garnishes

For an extra special presentation, sprinkle additional flaked sea salt or drizzle warm caramel sauce over the bars. You could even add a light drizzle of melted chocolate or top each square with a few toasted chopped nuts for added texture and visual appeal.

Side Dishes

These bars shine all on their own, but they also pair wonderfully with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of freshly whipped cream. For a cozy coffee break, serve alongside a rich cup of espresso or your favorite hot chocolate for a match made in dessert heaven.

Creative Ways to Present

Consider serving your Salted Caramel Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars Recipe in small individual squares stacked on a pretty platter or arranged in a decorative dessert box as a gift. You can also cut them into bite-sized pieces and skewer them with mini forks for an elegant finger-food option at parties.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

After your cookie bars have cooled completely, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days. This recipe keeps nicely while maintaining its chewy texture and gooey caramel layers, making it perfect for a make-ahead treat.

Freezing

If you want to enjoy these bars later, wrap individual slices tightly in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer-safe container or zip-close bag. They freeze beautifully for up to 3 months and thaw quickly at room temperature or with a gentle warm-up.

Reheating

To bring back that freshly baked warmth, reheat bars in a microwave for 15 to 20 seconds or pop them briefly in a 300-degree oven for a few minutes. They’ll be soft, gooey, and just as irresistible as when freshly baked.

FAQs

Can I use salted butter or unsalted butter for this recipe?

Using salted butter adds an extra layer of seasoning, balancing the sweetness beautifully here, but you can use unsalted butter if you prefer and just keep the 1 teaspoon of kosher salt in the recipe.

What if I don’t have soft caramels? Can I make my own caramel sauce?

Yes, you can substitute with a homemade caramel sauce or store-bought caramel topping if soft caramels aren’t available. Just be sure it’s thick enough to layer without running too much.

Is it okay to use milk or dark chocolate chips instead of semi-sweet?

Absolutely! Milk chocolate chips will make the bars sweeter and creamier, while dark chocolate chips add a deeper, more intense cocoa flavor. Both variations work deliciously well.

Can I use a different size pan, like 8×8 inches?

Yes, but your bars will be thicker and may require slightly longer baking time, so keep a close eye on them towards the end to prevent overbaking.

How do I know when the bars are done baking?

The center should look mostly set but still slightly soft. The edges will be golden and pulling away from the pan. Remember, these bars continue to firm up as they cool, so avoid baking until completely hard.

Final Thoughts

This Salted Caramel Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars Recipe is undoubtedly a crowd-pleaser that will fill your kitchen with amazing aromas and warm hearts with every bite. If you love the perfect blend of salty and sweet with comforting chocolate, don’t hesitate to whip up a batch—they’re easy to make, fun to share, and totally irresistible. I’m confident this will soon be your go-to recipe when you want to impress friends or simply treat yourself to pure dessert bliss.