Name: Salted Caramel Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars Recipe
Prep time: 40 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 1 h
Yield: 1
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 175 grams (6.2 ounces) unsalted butter, softened; 300 grams (10.6 ounces) plain flour, sifted; 1 large egg; 250 grams (8.8 ounces) caster sugar; 100 grams (3.5 ounces) chocolate chips; 100 grams (3.5 ounces) unsalted butter, room temperature; 210 milliliters (7.1 fluid ounces) double cream, room temperature; 50 grams (1.8 ounces) melted chocolate; 50 grams (1.8 ounces) chocolate chips; 50 grams (1.8 ounces) caster sugar; 1 to 2 teaspoons salt (adjust to taste); A pinch of salt

Salted caramel chocolate chip cookie bars blend indulgence with culinary magic in every single bite.

Rich, golden-brown layers promise an extraordinary dessert experience that transcends ordinary sweets.

Imagine a dessert where buttery dough meets silky caramel beneath a chocolate-studded landscape.

Contrasting flavors dance together, creating a symphony of sweet and salty sensations that captivate your taste buds.

Each bar represents comfort and excitement wrapped into one delectable package.

These bars craft simple ingredients into something extraordinary through careful technique and passionate baking.

The result is a treat that sparks joy and conversation among friends and family.

Indulge in Luxurious Layers: Each bite offers a decadent combination of soft cookie base, rich caramel, and smooth chocolate that creates a symphony of flavors dancing across your taste buds.
Master a Showstopping Dessert: This recipe transforms basic ingredients into an impressive treat that looks like it came from a professional bakery, making you feel like a culinary superstar without complicated techniques.
Customize Your Sweet Sensation: The flexible recipe allows you to adjust chocolate chip quantities, experiment with caramel thickness, and play with different salt levels to match your personal flavor preferences perfectly.
Quick and Stress-Free Preparation: With straightforward steps and minimal ingredients, even beginner bakers can create a gourmet-style dessert in under an hour, promising maximum deliciousness with minimal kitchen effort.

Base Ingredients:

All-Purpose Flour: Provides structure and texture for the cookie bars.
Granulated Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps create a golden brown color.
Butter: Delivers rich flavor and creates a tender, soft texture.

Chocolate Components:

Chocolate Chips, Chocolate: Brings deep chocolate flavor and creates delightful melty pockets in the bars.

Binding and Flavor Enhancers:

Egg: Helps bind ingredients together and adds richness to the cookie texture.
Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances overall flavor profile.

Caramel Finishing Ingredients:

Granulated Sugar, Butter: Creates a smooth, golden caramel with deep, complex sweetness.
Salt: Provides a savory contrast to the sweet caramel and elevates the entire dessert experience.

Step 1: Prepare Baking Station

Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a 9×13 inch baking pan with parchment paper, allowing extra paper to hang over sides for easy removal.

Step 2: Create Cookie Dough Base

In a large mixing bowl, cream:

Softened butter
Sugar

Beat until light and fluffy. Add egg and mix until fully incorporated.

Step 3: Combine Dry Ingredients

Gently fold into the mixture:

All-purpose flour
Salt
Chocolate chips

Mix until a consistent dough forms.

Step 4: Shape Cookie Layer

Press dough evenly into prepared pan, creating a smooth 1/2-inch thick layer. Refrigerate for 30 minutes to firm up.

Step 5: Bake Cookie Base

Bake in preheated oven for 18-20 minutes until edges turn golden brown. Remove and let cool completely.

Step 6: Craft Salted Caramel Sauce

In a heavy-bottomed saucepan, melt sugar over medium heat. Stir constantly to prevent burning until sugar transforms into a rich amber liquid.

Step 7: Complete Caramel Mixture

Carefully add butter to the melted sugar, whisking vigorously. Allow mixture to boil for 1 minute. Remove from heat and stir in salt.

Step 8: Apply Caramel Layer

Pour warm caramel sauce over cooled cookie base. Spread evenly and refrigerate overnight.

Step 9: Finish and Serve

Remove from refrigerator and cut into bars. Drizzle with melted chocolate and sprinkle additional chocolate chips on top.

Enjoy your decadent salted caramel chocolate chip cookie bars!

Master Butter Softening: Take butter out of the refrigerator 30-45 minutes before baking to achieve the perfect creamy texture for mixing.
Prevent Chocolate Sinking: Toss chocolate chips in a tablespoon of flour before adding to the dough to help them distribute evenly and prevent clumping.
Create Smooth Caramel: Use a light-colored pan when making caramel to monitor color changes and prevent burning during the melting process.
Achieve Precise Cutting: Use a sharp, clean knife dipped in hot water and wiped dry between cuts for clean, professional-looking bars.
Enhance Flavor Depth: Sprinkle a small pinch of flaky sea salt on top of the caramel for an extra burst of flavor and gourmet touch.

Refrigeration: Store cookie bars in an airtight container for up to 5 days. Place parchment paper between layers to prevent sticking and maintain texture. Keep refrigerated to preserve the salted caramel's consistency and prevent chocolate from melting.
Freezing: Wrap individual bars tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. Freeze for maximum 3 months to maintain optimal flavor and texture. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving to ensure best taste and soft texture.
Reheating: Warm bars gently in the microwave for 10-15 seconds at 50% power to prevent chocolate from burning. Alternatively, let bars sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes to soften naturally. Avoid direct heat to keep the caramel and chocolate smooth and rich.

Brew the Perfect Companion: A rich, dark roast coffee or espresso complements the sweet and salty notes of these decadent cookie bars, cutting through the richness with its bold flavor profile.
Pop Open a Pairing Drink: Cold milk creates a classic combination that softens the caramel's intensity and balances the chocolate chips' sweetness, making each bite even more indulgent.
Elevate with Dessert Wine: A late harvest Riesling or muscat offers a golden, honeyed sweetness that harmonizes beautifully with the salted caramel, creating a luxurious dessert experience.
Create a Flavor Contrast: Serve alongside a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream to add a creamy, cool element that enhances the warm, gooey caramel and chocolate chip textures.

Nutty Caramel Crunch: Incorporate chopped pecans or almonds into the cookie dough for added texture and depth of flavor. The nuts provide a delightful crunch that complements the smooth caramel and rich chocolate.
Espresso Chocolate Drizzle: Blend instant espresso powder into the caramel sauce for a bold coffee undertone. The coffee notes enhance the chocolate's complexity and create a more sophisticated dessert experience.
Berry Swirl Sensation: Gently fold raspberry or strawberry preserves into the caramel before drizzling over the cookie base. Fresh berries scattered on top add a bright, tangy contrast to the sweet caramel and chocolate.
Sea Salt Lavender Infusion: Sprinkle dried lavender buds and flaky sea salt over the caramel layer for an elegant, aromatic twist. The floral hints and extra salt elevate the traditional salted caramel profile with a gourmet touch.

Julian Park

Co-Founder, Cuisine Researcher & Food Culture Writer

Expertise

Global Food Cultures & Culinary History
Regional Flavor Profiles & Cooking Techniques
Food Anthropology & Cultural Identity
Culinary Research & Narrative Writing
Street Food Traditions & Heritage Dishes

Education

The Institute of Culinary Education (ICE), Los Angeles, CA

Degree: Certificate in Culinary Arts
Focus: Professional culinary techniques, global cuisine fundamentals, and real-world training in restaurant-style cooking and food presentation.

Julian Park is a natural storyteller at The Dream Café who blends hands-on culinary experience with a passion for exploring global food traditions. A graduate of The Institute of Culinary Education in Los Angeles, Julian combines professional technique with a love for cultural discovery, diving into how dishes reflect heritage, migration, and identity.

His work spans everything from in-depth cuisine guides to reflections on everyday meals around the world. With a curious palate and a journal always close by, Julian helps readers connect with food in a way that feels so insightful and personal.