Gooey Salted Caramel Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars: The Ultimate Dessert Bar Everyone Craves

If there’s one dessert that never fails to impress, it’s gooey salted caramel chocolate chip cookie bars. They combine everything people love about classic chocolate chip cookies — buttery dough, melty chocolate, and golden edges — with a luxurious layer of rich caramel and a finishing sprinkle of flaky sea salt. The result is a dessert bar that’s soft, chewy, indulgent, and completely irresistible.

Unlike traditional cookies that require scooping, chilling, and multiple batches, cookie bars deliver maximum payoff with minimal effort. Everything bakes in one pan, making them ideal for busy bakers, casual gatherings, bake sales, potlucks, and cozy nights at home. These bars are thick, gooey in the center, slightly crisp at the edges, and loaded with chocolate in every bite.

What truly sets this recipe apart is the salted caramel layer tucked between two layers of cookie dough. As the bars bake, the caramel melts into a silky, molten center that stays soft even after cooling. A light sprinkle of flaky sea salt balances the sweetness and enhances the chocolate, creating a bakery-quality dessert that tastes far more complex than it is to make.

Whether you’re an experienced baker or just starting out, this recipe is designed to be foolproof. No fancy techniques, no special equipment, and no complicated steps — just simple ingredients and a method that guarantees success.

Why These Cookie Bars Are So Popular

Dessert bars have surged in popularity, and for good reason. They’re easy to transport, easy to slice, and easy to serve. But salted caramel chocolate chip cookie bars go beyond convenience — they deliver texture, flavor, and indulgence all in one bite.

Here’s why people love them:

• Gooey texture that stays soft for days
• Balanced sweetness thanks to flaky sea salt
• One-pan baking, no scooping required
• Perfect for sharing at parties or events
• Freezer-friendly and make-ahead friendly

These bars are rich without being overwhelming, sweet without being cloying, and sturdy enough to hold their shape while still feeling soft and decadent.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Cookie Bar Dough

• All-purpose flour
• Baking soda
• Fine salt
• Unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled
• Brown sugar
• Granulated sugar
• Eggs
• Vanilla extract
• Semi-sweet chocolate chips

Salted Caramel Filling

• Soft caramel candies
• Heavy cream
• Flaky sea salt

Each ingredient plays an important role. Brown sugar adds moisture and chewiness, while melted butter creates a dense, fudgy texture. The caramel and cream melt together into a smooth filling that stays soft even after cooling.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang for easy removal.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
3. In a large bowl, whisk melted butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until smooth and glossy.
4. Add eggs and vanilla extract, mixing until fully combined.
5. Gradually fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture until just combined. Do not overmix.
6. Stir in chocolate chips evenly throughout the dough.
7. Press half of the cookie dough evenly into the prepared pan to form the base layer.
8. In a microwave-safe bowl, heat caramel candies with heavy cream in short intervals, stirring until smooth and pourable.
9. Pour the caramel evenly over the dough layer, spreading gently with a spatula.
10. Sprinkle a light pinch of flaky sea salt over the caramel.
11. Drop spoonfuls of remaining dough over the caramel layer and gently spread to cover most of the surface.
12. Bake for 30–35 minutes, until the top is golden and the center is just set.
13. Allow bars to cool completely in the pan before slicing for clean layers and maximum gooey texture.

Gooey Salted Caramel Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars

Thick, chewy cookie bars layered with gooey salted caramel and melty chocolate chips.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 35 minutes mins

Total Time 55 minutes mins

Servings: 12 bars

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Calories: 320

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

Cookie Dough

• 2.25 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 0.5 tsp salt
• 1 cup unsalted butter melted
• 1.25 cups brown sugar
• 0.5 cup granulated sugar
• 2 eggs large
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1.5 cups chocolate chips

Caramel Layer

• 11 oz soft caramel candies unwrapped
• 0.25 cup heavy cream
• flaky sea salt for topping

Equipment

• Mixing bowls
• 9×13 baking pan
• Spatula
• Whisk

Method

 

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13 pan with parchment paper.
2. Whisk flour, baking soda, and salt in a bowl.
3. Mix melted butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until smooth.
4. Add eggs and vanilla; mix well.
5. Fold in dry ingredients, then chocolate chips.
6. Press half the dough into the pan.
7. Melt caramels with cream until smooth and spread over dough.
8. Top with remaining dough and sprinkle with sea salt.
9. Bake 30–35 minutes until golden and set.

Notes

For extra gooey bars, slightly underbake and cool completely before slicing.

Pro Tips for Perfect Gooey Bars

• Do not overbake. Slightly underbaked centers create the gooey texture.
• Use parchment paper for easy removal and neat slices.
• Let bars cool fully before cutting to prevent caramel from spilling out.
• Use flaky sea salt, not table salt, for the best flavor contrast.

Flavor Variations

• Add chopped pecans or walnuts for crunch
• Use dark chocolate chips for deeper flavor
• Swirl peanut butter into the caramel layer
• Sprinkle espresso powder into the dough for richness

Serving Suggestions

These bars are delicious on their own, but they’re next-level when:

• Served slightly warm with vanilla ice cream
• Drizzled with extra caramel sauce
• Paired with coffee, milk, or hot chocolate

Storage & Make-Ahead Tips

Store bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days or refrigerate for up to a week. They freeze beautifully for up to 2 months — simply thaw at room temperature before serving.

Final Thoughts

Gooey salted caramel chocolate chip cookie bars are everything a dessert should be: comforting, indulgent, easy to make, and impossible to resist. With their rich caramel center, soft cookie layers, and perfectly balanced sweetness, they’re guaranteed to become a repeat favorite in your kitchen.