There is something irresistibly joyful about these Chocolate Chip Caramel Bars Recipe. Imagine chewy, buttery cookie dough bursting with melty chocolate chips, perfectly layered with a smooth, luscious caramel center. It’s like all your favorite dessert moments come together in every bite, creating a treat that’s both nostalgic and luxuriously rich. Whether you need a crowd-pleasing dessert or just want to indulge in a little homemade sweetness, these bars hit every note with ease and charm.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering simple, everyday ingredients is the secret to these bars’ incredible flavor and texture. Each ingredient plays a key role, from the tender crumb of the flour and butter to the rich sweetness of the chocolate chips and caramel that takes these bars to another level.
- All-purpose flour: The base for structure, it ensures your bars have that perfect chewy-cakey texture.
- Baking soda: Adds just the right lift to make your cookie layers light and tender.
- Salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances all the flavors.
- Unsalted butter: Provides rich, creamy flavor and moisture—make sure it’s softened for easy mixing.
- Granulated sugar: Offers crisp sweetness and helps create that slight crunch on the edges.
- Brown sugar: Adds deep, caramel-like notes that complement the caramel candies beautifully.
- Vanilla extract: Brings warmth and enhances the overall taste of the bars.
- Large eggs: Bind everything together and lend moisture for a tender crumb.
- Chocolate chips: Melty pockets of chocolate goodness that make every bite exciting.
- Caramel candies: The star ingredient—melted down they form a luscious, gooey layer that keeps these bars unforgettable.
- Heavy cream: Mixed with caramel to create a silky, spreadable sauce that holds the layers together.
How to Make Chocolate Chip Caramel Bars Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Cookie Dough
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lining a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper. This preparation ensures your bars won’t stick and makes cleanup easier. Then, whisk together your dry ingredients—flour, baking soda, and salt—in a medium bowl. In a separate large bowl, beat together the softened butter with both sugars until creamy and smooth. Adding vanilla extract and eggs one at a time, blend them in well to make a luscious dough ready to hold all the delicious mix-ins.
Step 2: Combine and Fold in Chocolate Chips
Slowly incorporate the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring just until combined to maintain a tender texture. Now comes the fun part: folding in those chocolate chips. Their melty sweetness is crucial in every bite, giving you pockets of chocolate that perfectly complement the caramel layer later on.
Step 3: Assemble the Base and First Bake
Press half of the cookie dough evenly into the bottom of your prepared pan. This creates the sturdy, buttery bottom layer that will cradle the caramel topping. Bake this base layer for 10 minutes, enough to set it but not fully cook, allowing the top layers to bake together later for an even, cohesive bar. Let it cool slightly before moving on.
Step 4: Create the Caramel Layer
While the base cools, melt your caramel candies along with the heavy cream in a microwave-safe bowl. Stir at 30-second intervals to prevent burning and to achieve a silky smooth caramel sauce. Pour this evenly over the slightly cooled cookie dough base for a decadent, gooey center that’s the heart of this Chocolate Chip Caramel Bars Recipe.
Step 5: Top and Final Bake
Spoon dollops of the remaining cookie dough across the caramel layer. Gently spread it out to cover as much as possible without disturbing the caramel below. This rustic topping bakes up golden and comforting, perfectly balancing the sweet caramel beneath. Bake for another 20 to 25 minutes, until the top is golden brown and beautifully set.
Step 6: Cool and Slice
Cooling is key here! Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan so the caramel sets and slices cleanly. Rushing this step can make the caramel runny and messy. Once cooled, cut into squares and get ready to delight your taste buds with this treasure of a treat.
How to Serve Chocolate Chip Caramel Bars Recipe
Garnishes
For an extra special touch, consider sprinkling flaky sea salt on top right after baking to enhance the caramel’s richness. A dusting of powdered sugar can add a sweet, pretty finish. Whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream alongside these bars also elevates the experience to dessert perfection.
Side Dishes
Though these bars are satisfying on their own, pairing them with a fresh, tangy fruit salad or a cup of strong coffee balances the sweetness wonderfully. They also work delightfully with a mild cheese platter if you’re serving them as part of a larger spread.
Creative Ways to Present
Serving these bars on a rustic wooden board or layered on pretty parchment for a casual gathering keeps the vibe warm and inviting. You can also cut smaller bite-sized pieces and serve them alongside mini dessert shooters for a fun party platter that will wow your guests.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep any leftover bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. This keeps the cookie layers soft and the caramel luscious without drying out. If your kitchen is warm, storing them in the fridge is a good option but allow the bars to come back to room temperature before enjoying for the best texture.
Freezing
These bars freeze beautifully! Wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer-safe container or bag for up to 2 months. When you’re ready to enjoy, thaw them overnight in the fridge and bring to room temperature before serving for that freshly baked feel.
Reheating
Warm individual bars in the microwave for about 15-20 seconds to revive the gooey caramel and melty chocolate. This simple step adds a cozy homemade warmth that tastes just like fresh from the oven.
FAQs
Can I use store-bought caramel sauce instead of caramel candies?
Yes! Using store-bought caramel sauce can be a convenient shortcut. Just make sure it’s thick and not too runny so it holds well between the layers. You might want to reduce or skip the heavy cream if your sauce is already creamy.
Are these bars gluten-free?
This recipe calls for all-purpose flour, so it is not gluten-free as written. However, you can experiment with a gluten-free flour blend, keeping in mind the texture may vary slightly but can still be delicious.
Can I substitute chocolate chips with other mix-ins?
Absolutely! Chopped nuts, butterscotch chips, or white chocolate chips can all be fantastic alternatives or additions for a different flavor twist that still complements the caramel wonderfully.
How thick should I spread the dough layers?
Press the dough evenly but don’t over-thicken it, especially the bottom layer. Around half of the dough for the base and the rest for the top creates the best balance so your bars bake evenly and hold together nicely.
Can these bars be made in a different pan size?
You can use a pan slightly larger or smaller than 9×13 inches, but adjust the baking time accordingly. A smaller pan means thicker bars needing more time, and a larger pan means thinner bars that bake faster. Keep an eye on color and set when baking.
Final Thoughts
If there’s one recipe to keep in your dessert arsenal, the Chocolate Chip Caramel Bars Recipe is it. Easy to make, wonderfully flavorful, and deeply satisfying, these bars have all the makings of a true crowd-pleaser. Whether for holidays, parties, or a sweet afternoon treat, they bring comfort and joy by the square. I can’t wait for you to make these and experience the chewy caramel-chocolate magic for yourself!
Print
Chocolate Chip Caramel Bars Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 16 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Kosher
Description
Deliciously rich Chocolate Chip Caramel Bars featuring a buttery cookie base layered with smooth melted caramel and studded with chocolate chips. These bars combine gooey caramel sweetness with classic chocolate chip cookie flavors, baked to golden perfection for a crowd-pleasing dessert perfect for parties or family gatherings.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients and Mix-ins
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 3/4 cup packed brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 large eggs
- 2 cups chocolate chips
Caramel Layer
- 1 cup caramel candies, unwrapped
- 2 tablespoons heavy cream
Instructions
- Prepare the Cookie Dough: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure easy removal later.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt to evenly distribute leavening and seasoning agents.
- Cream Butter and Sugars: In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter with granulated sugar and brown sugar until the mixture is creamy and smooth, creating a light texture.
- Add Vanilla and Eggs: Incorporate the vanilla extract followed by the eggs, adding them one at a time and mixing thoroughly after each to create a homogenous batter.
- Combine Wet and Dry: Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture into the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined to avoid overworking the dough. Fold in the chocolate chips evenly.
- Bake Base Layer: Press half of the cookie dough into the prepared pan evenly. Bake this base layer for 10 minutes at 350°F, then remove and let it cool slightly to stabilize.
- Prepare Caramel Layer: While the base cools, melt the caramel candies with the heavy cream in a microwave-safe bowl, stirring every 30 seconds until the mixture is smooth and pourable.
- Layer Caramel: Evenly pour the melted caramel over the partially baked cookie dough base to create a gooey middle layer.
- Add Remaining Dough: Drop spoonfuls of the remaining cookie dough over the caramel layer continuously and gently spread them out to cover the caramel without mixing layers.
- Bake Final Bars: Return to the oven and bake for an additional 20 to 25 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and cooked through.
- Cool and Serve: Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan, ensuring the caramel layer sets and bars firm up before slicing into 16 squares for serving.
Notes
- Pressing the dough evenly ensures an even bake and smooth caramel layer.
- Be careful not to burn the caramel when melting; microwave in short bursts and stir frequently.
- Letting the bars cool completely prevents them from falling apart when cut.
- You can substitute caramel candies with homemade caramel sauce for a richer flavor.
- For easier cleanup, use parchment paper and lightly grease it if desired.
