Salted Caramel Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars

If there’s one dessert that perfectly marries sweet and salty, soft and chewy, it’s Salted Caramel Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars. Imagine biting into a thick, buttery cookie base filled with pools of gooey caramel, melty chocolate chips, and a hint of sea salt that balances everything beautifully. These indulgent bars take your classic chocolate chip cookie to the next level with layers of texture and flavor that feel downright luxurious.

This recipe has quickly become a favorite in my kitchen — a guaranteed hit for potlucks, bake sales, or family gatherings. I first made them for a friend’s birthday party, and they disappeared faster than I could set them down. People kept asking, “What is this magic?” And that’s exactly what they are: magic in bar form. They’re everything you love about chocolate chip cookies but even better because of the rich, velvety caramel that runs through the center.

Why You’ll Love Salted Caramel Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars

• Soft, chewy, and gooey: Layers of buttery cookie dough and melted caramel make every bite irresistible.
• Simple ingredients, bakery-quality results: No need for fancy tools — just a bowl, a whisk, and a pan.
• Sweet meets salty: Sea salt flakes balance the caramel’s richness, creating the perfect flavor harmony.
• Crowd-pleasing: Everyone loves them, from kids to adults.
• Freezer-friendly: These bars store beautifully, making them great for meal prep or party planning.
• Customizable: Add nuts, white chocolate, or even a drizzle of extra caramel for your own twist.

Ingredients You’ll Need

For the Cookie Dough:

• 1 cup unsalted butter – softened to room temperature for easy creaming
• 1 cup granulated sugar – adds sweetness and a bit of crunch
• 1 cup light brown sugar, packed – provides moisture and depth of flavor
• 2 large eggs – for structure and richness
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract – enhances all the other flavors
• 2½ cups all-purpose flour – the perfect balance for soft, chewy texture
• ½ teaspoon sea salt – for balance and flavor
• 1 teaspoon baking soda – helps the bars rise slightly and stay soft
• 2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips – classic, rich chocolate flavor

For the Caramel Mixture:

• 11 oz soft caramels, unwrapped – use good-quality caramels for best flavor
• 14 oz sweetened condensed milk – gives the caramel a smooth, creamy texture
• ½ teaspoon sea salt flakes (such as Maldon) – for that finishing touch of salt and crunch

Tip: Avoid hard caramels, which won’t melt smoothly. Kraft or Werther’s soft caramels work perfectly.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Preheat the Oven

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line a 9x13-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the sides for easy removal later. This step ensures you can lift out the bars without breaking them.

2. Cream the Butter and Sugars

In a large bowl, beat the butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar together until light and fluffy. This step takes about 2–3 minutes using an electric mixer on medium speed. The mixture should be pale and airy — this helps create a soft, chewy texture.

3. Add Eggs and Vanilla

Add the eggs, one at a time, beating after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract until the mixture is smooth and well combined.

4. Mix the Dry Ingredients

In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, sea salt, and baking soda. Gradually add the dry mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing just until combined. Don’t overmix — that can make the bars tough instead of tender.

5. Fold in Chocolate Chips

Gently fold in the chocolate chips with a spatula, distributing them evenly throughout the dough. You should have a thick, scoopable dough.

6. Layer the Dough

Press about two-thirds of the cookie dough into the bottom of your prepared pan. Use your fingers or the back of a spatula to spread it evenly — this will form the base layer.

7. Make the Caramel Filling

In a medium saucepan, combine the unwrapped soft caramels and sweetened condensed milk. Heat over low heat, stirring constantly, until the mixture melts into a smooth, creamy sauce. This can take 5–7 minutes. Once melted, remove from heat and stir in the sea salt flakes.

Tip: Keep the heat low and stir constantly to prevent burning. The mixture should be velvety and thick but pourable.

8. Add the Caramel Layer

Pour the warm caramel mixture evenly over the cookie dough base. Use an offset spatula or the back of a spoon to spread it out, leaving about a ¼-inch border around the edges (this helps prevent caramel from seeping out during baking).

9. Top with Remaining Dough

Drop spoonfuls of the remaining cookie dough over the caramel layer. It won’t completely cover the caramel — that’s okay! The dough will spread as it bakes, creating beautiful marbled pockets of gooey caramel.

10. Bake

Bake for 30–35 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and set. The caramel should be bubbling slightly around the edges. Avoid overbaking — the bars will firm up as they cool.

11. Cool Completely

Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack — at least 2 hours. The caramel needs time to set for clean slices. Once cooled, use the parchment overhang to lift the bars out of the pan.

12. Slice and Serve

Cut into squares or rectangles using a sharp knife. For cleaner cuts, wipe the blade between slices. Serve at room temperature or slightly warmed with a sprinkle of extra sea salt on top.

Serving and Storage Tips

• Serving: These bars are perfect as-is, but you can elevate them by serving warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and an extra drizzle of caramel sauce.
• Storage: Store at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 4 days. To extend freshness, refrigerate for up to a week.
• Freezing: Wrap individual bars in plastic wrap and store in a freezer-safe bag for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge or for an hour at room temp.

Helpful Notes

• Chill the dough for 20–30 minutes if it’s too soft — this makes spreading easier.
• Use flaky sea salt for garnish. It adds visual appeal and a delightful burst of saltiness.
• Double the recipe if you’re baking for a crowd — these bars disappear fast!
• Add-ins: Try adding chopped pecans, toffee bits, or even dark chocolate chunks for variation.
• Cutting tip: For neat squares, refrigerate for 30 minutes before slicing.

Variations

• Salted Caramel Pretzel Bars: Add crushed pretzels to the caramel layer for crunch and extra saltiness.
• Peanut Butter Caramel Bars: Mix 2 tablespoons of peanut butter into the caramel mixture for a nutty twist.
• White Chocolate Caramel Bars: Replace semi-sweet chips with white chocolate chips for a sweeter flavor profile.
• Dark Chocolate Espresso Bars: Add 1 teaspoon espresso powder to the cookie dough for a deeper, more sophisticated taste.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can I use homemade caramel instead of store-bought caramels?

Absolutely! If you prefer to make your own caramel sauce, use about 1 ½ cups of thick homemade caramel. Just make sure it’s not too runny.

2. What type of caramels work best?

Soft, chewy caramels melt the best — Kraft or Werther’s are ideal choices.

3. Can I use dark brown sugar instead of light brown?

Yes, dark brown sugar adds a slightly deeper, molasses-like flavor.

4. Do I need to refrigerate these bars?

No, they’re fine at room temperature for a few days. However, refrigerating helps them last longer and makes cleaner cuts.

5. How can I make these gluten-free?

Use a 1:1 gluten-free all-purpose flour blend. The texture remains just as soft and chewy.

6. Can I make these ahead of time?

Definitely. These bars taste even better the next day after the caramel sets and the flavors meld.

Final Thoughts

There’s something undeniably irresistible about Salted Caramel Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars. They strike the perfect balance of textures — crisp edges, soft centers, and gooey caramel that oozes between layers of chocolate-studded cookie dough. The hint of sea salt takes them from delicious to divine, cutting through the sweetness for that crave-worthy balance that keeps you reaching for another piece.

Whether you bake them for a special occasion or simply because you deserve something indulgent, these bars are a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. They embody everything we love about comfort baking: simple ingredients, big flavor, and pure joy in every bite. So grab your mixing bowl, unwrap those caramels, and prepare to fall in love with your new favorite dessert bar — a treat that’s as comforting as it is unforgettable.