Gooey Salted Caramel Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars
If you love thick, chewy chocolate chip cookies and can’t resist molten caramel, Gooey Salted Caramel Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars are the ultimate dessert mashup. These bars deliver everything a perfect cookie should — buttery flavor, soft centers, crisp edges — with the added indulgence of gooey caramel and a finishing touch of flaky sea salt.
Unlike traditional cookies that require scooping and multiple baking trays, cookie bars are wonderfully low-effort. The dough is pressed into a pan, layered with caramel, and baked until golden and irresistible. The result is a bakery-style dessert that feels decadent yet comforting, perfect for sharing (or not).
Whether you’re baking for a party, a holiday tray, or a quiet night at home, these bars strike the perfect balance between sweet and salty, rich and chewy.
Why Cookie Bars Are Better Than Cookies (Sometimes)
Cookie bars offer everything people love about cookies — without the fuss. Baking all the dough at once means:
- Even thickness and consistent texture
- Extra-soft centers that stay gooey longer
- Fewer dishes and less prep time
Adding caramel takes these bars to the next level. As the bars bake, the caramel melts into the cookie dough, creating pockets of sticky sweetness that contrast beautifully with the rich chocolate and buttery base.
The Magic of Salted Caramel
Salted caramel works because of balance. The sweetness of caramel can be intense on its own, but a small amount of salt enhances flavor rather than overpowering it. Flaky sea salt sprinkled on top sharpens the chocolate, deepens the caramel notes, and keeps each bite from feeling overly sweet.
This contrast is what makes these cookie bars so addictive — you keep reaching for just one more bite.
Ingredients
For the Cookie Bar Dough
- All-purpose flour
- Baking soda
- Salt
- Unsalted butter, melted
- Brown sugar
- Granulated sugar
- Eggs
- Vanilla extract
- Chocolate chips or chunks
For the Caramel Layer
- Soft caramels or thick caramel sauce
- Heavy cream or milk (to loosen caramel, if needed)
For Topping
- Flaky sea salt
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking pan with parchment paper.
- In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt.
- In another bowl, mix melted butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until smooth.
- Add eggs and vanilla extract, mixing until glossy and well combined.
- Stir in dry ingredients until just combined. Fold in chocolate chips.
- Press half of the dough evenly into the prepared pan.
- Spread caramel evenly over the dough, leaving a small border around the edges.
- Drop remaining dough over the caramel layer and gently spread to cover.
- Bake until edges are golden and center is set but soft.
- Sprinkle with flaky sea salt while warm.
- Cool slightly before slicing for maximum gooeyness.
Gooey Salted Caramel Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Prepare cookie dough and press half into pan.
- Layer caramel evenly over dough.
- Top with remaining dough and bake until golden.
- Sprinkle with sea salt and cool before slicing.
Notes
How to Get the Perfect Gooey Center
Timing is everything. These bars should be removed from the oven while the center still looks slightly underbaked. Residual heat will finish cooking them as they cool, leaving the middle soft and chewy instead of dry.
Letting the bars rest for at least 20 minutes before cutting allows the caramel to thicken slightly while staying beautifully gooey.
Choosing the Right Caramel
Both options work well:
- Wrapped soft caramels: Melt with a splash of cream for a thicker, richer layer
- Jarred caramel sauce: Choose a thick, high-quality sauce for best results
Avoid thin caramel syrups, which can soak into the dough instead of forming a distinct layer.
Flavor Variations
Once you master the base recipe, try these twists:
- Nutty: Add chopped pecans or walnuts
- Espresso: Stir espresso powder into the dough
- Dark Chocolate: Use bittersweet chocolate chunks
- Peanut Lover’s: Add a swirl of peanut butter with the caramel
When to Serve These Cookie Bars
These bars fit nearly every occasion:
- Holiday dessert trays
- Bake sales
- Potlucks and parties
- Weeknight dessert cravings
- Gifts wrapped in parchment and twine
They travel well and taste even better the next day.
Storage & Make-Ahead Tips
Store cookie bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, refrigerate up to 5 days or freeze individual bars for up to 2 months.
To reheat, warm briefly in the microwave or oven for that just-baked gooey texture.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Overbaking — the fastest way to lose gooeyness
- Skipping parchment paper
- Using caramel that’s too thin
- Cutting while piping hot (caramel will run excessively)
Final Thoughts
Gooey Salted Caramel Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars are everything a dessert should be: indulgent, comforting, and impossible to resist. With melty chocolate, sticky caramel, and a hint of salt, they deliver bakery-quality results with minimal effort.
One pan, simple ingredients, and guaranteed smiles — these bars deserve a permanent place in your dessert rotation. 🍪🍯✨
