These Gooey Salted Caramel Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars are the perfect fusion of rich, buttery cookie dough, velvety caramel, and melty chocolate chips—all topped with a light sprinkle of sea salt. Each bite delivers a chewy, sweet, and salty experience that's hard to resist.

Why I Love This Recipe

I love how effortlessly indulgent these bars are. The layers of cookie and caramel melt together into a gooey masterpiece that’s soft in the center and lightly crisp on the edges. The sea salt gives it just the right balance and sophistication. It’s one of those desserts I find myself making over and over again for parties, gifts, or just a well-deserved treat.

Ingredients

(Here's a tip: Check out the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

salted butter, at room temperature
packed light brown sugar
granulated white sugar
large eggs
vanilla extract
kosher salt
baking soda
all-purpose flour
semi-sweet chocolate chips
sweetened condensed milk
soft caramels (unwrapped, about 40)
flaked sea salt

Directions

I start by preheating my oven to 350°F and lining a 9x13-inch pan with foil, then spraying it generously with nonstick spray.
In a large bowl, I cream together the butter, brown sugar, and white sugar until it’s fluffy.
I add in the eggs, vanilla, salt, and baking soda, mixing until smooth and scraping down the sides as needed.
Next, I mix in the flour until just combined and then stir in the chocolate chips.
I press about three-quarters of the dough into the prepared pan to form the base.
In a saucepan over medium-low heat, I combine the sweetened condensed milk and caramels, stirring until everything is melted and smooth.
I pour most of the caramel mixture over the dough in the pan, spreading it evenly, and then drop the remaining cookie dough by spoonfuls over the top.
I bake the bars for about 25 to 30 minutes, until the center is set.
Once out of the oven, I sprinkle the top with sea salt and let the bars cool completely before slicing.

Servings and Timing

Servings: 30 bars
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 25 to 30 minutes
Total Time: About 1 hour

Variations

Nutty Crunch: I like to add chopped pecans or walnuts for extra texture.
Dark Chocolate Swap: I use dark chocolate chips when I want a richer flavor.
Salted Caramel Mocha Bars: I mix in a teaspoon of espresso powder for a coffee-infused twist.
Peanut Butter Drizzle: Sometimes, I swirl a bit of peanut butter into the caramel layer.
Gluten-Free: I’ve made these with a gluten-free flour blend and they still come out beautifully gooey.

Storage/Reheating

I store these bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
For longer storage, I freeze them in a single layer with parchment between them, then move to a sealed container or bag.
To reheat, I pop a bar in the microwave for about 10 to 15 seconds if I want that just-baked softness.

FAQs

How can I make these bars less sweet?

I reduce the chocolate chips slightly or use bittersweet chocolate to tone down the sweetness without losing richness.

What’s the best way to cut these without making a mess?

I let them cool completely, even chill them briefly, and use a sharp knife sprayed lightly with nonstick spray for cleaner cuts.

Can I make them ahead of time?

Yes, I often make them a day in advance. The flavors even seem to deepen overnight.

Can I use store-bought caramel sauce instead?

I can, but I find melting soft caramels with condensed milk gives a thicker, more stable caramel layer that sets better in bars.

Why do I need to line the pan with foil?

It makes removing and cutting the bars so much easier. I just lift the whole thing out once it’s cool and cut on a board.

Conclusion

These bars are everything I want in a dessert: rich, gooey, chocolatey, and just the right touch of salty. They’re simple to make and absolutely crowd-pleasing. Whether I’m baking for guests or treating myself, I know I can count on these cookie bars to hit the sweet spot every time.

Gooey Salted Caramel Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars

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Author: Sue
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 55 minutes
Yield: 30 bars
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American
Diet: Vegetarian

Print Recipe

Description

These Gooey Salted Caramel Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars are the ultimate indulgence, combining soft cookie dough, rich caramel, and a sprinkle of sea salt for a perfect sweet and salty treat.

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9x13-inch baking pan with foil and coat it liberally with cooking spray.
In a large bowl, use an electric mixer to combine the butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar on medium speed for 2 minutes until fluffy.
Add the eggs, vanilla extract, kosher salt, and baking soda, and continue mixing until smooth, scraping the sides of the bowl as necessary.
Turn the mixer to low speed and add the flour until combined. Stir in the chocolate chips.
Press three-quarters of the dough into the prepared pan.
In a medium saucepan, combine the sweetened condensed milk and caramels. Cook over medium-low heat, stirring frequently, until the caramels are melted and the mixture is smooth.
Pour three-quarters of the caramel mixture over the dough in the pan. Drop the remaining dough evenly in teaspoon-sized amounts on top of the caramel. Save any remaining caramel for another use.
Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, until the center is just set.
Sprinkle with flaked sea salt. Allow to cool completely in the pan before cutting into bars.