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Salted Caramel Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars Recipe

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4.2 from 12 reviews

Soft and indulgent salted caramel chocolate chip cookie bars featuring a luscious layer of rich caramel and a sprinkle of kosher salt for the perfect sweet-salty balance. These bars are baked in an 8×8 pan for easy serving and are deliciously gooey and perfect for sharing.

  • Author: Emma
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Total Time: 40 minutes
  • Yield: 12 servings
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Cookie Dough

  • ¾ cup butter, melted
  • ¾ cup brown sugar, packed
  • ½ cup granulated sugar
  • 2 eggs, whites discarded from 1 egg
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 2 ¼ cups all purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 ½ teaspoons cornstarch
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup chocolate chips

Caramel and Topping

  • ¾–1 cup caramel sauce
  • ¾–1 teaspoon kosher salt

Instructions

  1. Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 325°F (163°C). Spray an 8×8-inch baking pan with non-stick cooking spray and set it aside, ensuring the pan is well coated to prevent sticking.
  2. Mix Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the melted butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar. Stir in the egg yolk and one whole egg (discarding one egg white) along with the vanilla extract until thoroughly combined and smooth.
  3. Add Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the all-purpose flour, baking soda, cornstarch, and salt to the wet ingredients, mixing gently until all ingredients are just incorporated to form the cookie dough.
  4. Incorporate Chocolate Chips: Fold the chocolate chips into the dough carefully. Since the butter is melted, mixing the chips in can be a bit challenging; you may need to use your hands to evenly distribute them without melting.
  5. Layer Dough and Caramel: Press two-thirds of the cookie dough evenly into the prepared baking pan to form the bottom layer. Pour the caramel sauce evenly over this cookie dough base and sprinkle the kosher salt over the caramel layer.
  6. Top With Remaining Dough: Take the remaining one-third of the cookie dough and gently press it on top of the caramel layer, trying to create an even topping without mixing down to the caramel.
  7. Bake: Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the cookie bars turn a golden brown on top and around the edges.
  8. Cool and Serve: Remove from the oven and allow the bars to cool for at least 20 minutes in the pan to set. Optionally sprinkle additional kosher salt on top before slicing into 12 bars. Serve at room temperature for the best gooey texture.
  9. Storage: Store leftover bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days or freeze them for up to 3 months for extended freshness.

Notes

  • When mixing chocolate chips into the dough with melted butter, use patience and your hands if necessary to avoid melting the chips.
  • Allow the bars to fully cool before cutting to prevent the caramel layer from leaking out.
  • Adjust the amount of kosher salt sprinkled on top based on your preference for salty-sweet balance.
  • These bars freeze well and can be thawed at room temperature before serving.
  • If you prefer a firmer cookie bar, bake closer to 30 minutes; less time will keep them softer and chewier.

Find it online: https://allcookedup.com/salted-caramel-chocolate-chip-cookie-bars-recipe/