If you’re looking for a dessert that stops everyone in their tracks, look no further than these Chocolate Chip Caramel Bars. They’re a delicious collision of gooey caramel, buttery cookie dough, and an avalanche of chocolate chips, with each bite giving you that irresistible chewy-meets-crispy magic. Perfect for potlucks, bake sales, or cozy nights at home, they’re a dream come true for anyone who loves the classic combo of chocolate and caramel. Get ready to fall in love—your new favorite treat awaits!
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of Chocolate Chip Caramel Bars is that every ingredient is a familiar staple, but together, they create a showstopping treat that tastes and looks amazing. Each component plays a key role in the final flavor and gooey texture—so don’t skip, swap, or skimp!
- All-purpose flour: Provides structure and chew to the bars—no fluffiness here, just perfect cookie texture.
- Baking soda: Gives the bars a little lift and prevents them from getting too dense.
- Salt: Balances the sweetness and makes the chocolate flavor pop.
- Unsalted butter (softened): Adds rich flavor and that classic, tender cookie feel.
- Packed brown sugar: Brings caramel flavor depth and keeps the bars chewy in every bite.
- Granulated sugar: Sweetens and helps create crispy edges.
- Large eggs: Hold everything together and add a little bounce to the dough.
- Vanilla extract: Enhances all the flavors with its warm, sweet aroma.
- Semi-sweet chocolate chips: The star ingredient for classic chocolate hits in every bar.
- Soft caramels (unwrapped): Melt down into a luscious, gooey caramel layer everyone will remember.
- Heavy cream: Ensures your caramel is silky smooth and easy to spread.
How to Make Chocolate Chip Caramel Bars
Step 1: Prep Your Pan and Oven
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F. Line a 9×13-inch baking dish with parchment paper or a light coating of grease. This little step makes cleanup a breeze and guarantees those gorgeous, neat slices we all crave. With everything ready to go, you’re halfway to bakery-quality bars.
Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients
In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together your flour, baking soda, and salt. This ensures the leavening and salt are evenly distributed, which keeps your Chocolate Chip Caramel Bars wonderfully textured and perfectly seasoned all the way through.
Step 3: Cream the Butter and Sugars
Using a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. This takes a couple of minutes but is absolutely worth it for those dreamy, soft bars. Don’t rush this part—it’s where the magic (and the chewiness) happens!
Step 4: Add Eggs and Vanilla
Beat in your eggs, one at a time, ensuring each is fully mixed before adding the next. Follow with the vanilla extract, and mix until just combined. These ingredients help bind everything and bring irresistible richness to each bite.
Step 5: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients
Gradually fold your flour mixture into the creamed butter mixture, taking care not to overmix—that keeps the bars tender. The dough will be slightly thick, but that’s exactly what you want for this recipe.
Step 6: Fold in the Chocolate Chips
Stir in those glorious chocolate chips until just dispersed throughout the dough. Every square should be studded with chocolate, so take a moment to make sure it’s evenly mixed.
Step 7: Press and Pre-Bake the Base
Spread half the cookie dough into the prepared pan, pressing it evenly to create the bottom layer. Pop it in the oven for 10 minutes—this gives it a head start, so your caramel layer won’t sink to the bottom later on.
Step 8: Melt the Caramel
While the base is baking, combine your unwrapped caramels and heavy cream in a microwave-safe bowl. Heat in 30-second bursts, stirring well between each round, until you have a smooth, pourable caramel sauce. This gooey goodness is what takes Chocolate Chip Caramel Bars to the next level.
Step 9: Layer the Caramel and Remaining Dough
Pour the luscious caramel sauce evenly over your just-baked base. Then, drop spoonfuls of the remaining cookie dough on top, spreading gently to cover as much caramel as possible. Don’t worry if some caramel peeks through—it adds irresistible swirls in the finished bars!
Step 10: Bake to Golden Bliss
Return the pan to the oven and bake for 20–22 minutes. When the top is golden and the edges are just set, pull them out. Let the bars cool completely in the pan before lifting and slicing—this lets the caramel set and gives you clean, beautiful bars.
How to Serve Chocolate Chip Caramel Bars
Garnishes
Dress up your bars with a sprinkle of flaky sea salt right after baking, which heightens both the chocolate and caramel flavors. You could also drizzle a little extra melted chocolate or caramel over the top for that bakery-fresh look. For a final flourish, a dusting of powdered sugar looks gorgeous and adds a gentle sweetness.
Side Dishes
Chocolate Chip Caramel Bars are amazing solo, but pairing them with a scoop of creamy vanilla ice cream or a dollop of freshly whipped cream turns dessert into an event. For adults, enjoy them with a mug of strong coffee or a silky hot chocolate—a truly decadent treat.
Creative Ways to Present
If you’re serving a crowd, cut the bars into bite-sized squares and pile them high on a platter for a party-ready treat. Wrap individual bars in parchment or wax paper for bake sale perfection. And for a sweet gift, stack a few and tie them with a ribbon to brighten someone’s day.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once cooled, store your Chocolate Chip Caramel Bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days. They’ll stay soft and gooey, making them easy to grab for a snack or dessert any time of day.
Freezing
If you want to make these bars ahead, they freeze beautifully! Layer them between sheets of parchment paper in a freezer-safe container and freeze for up to 2 months. Let them thaw at room temperature when you’re ready to enjoy.
Reheating
For that just-baked taste, pop a bar in the microwave for 10–15 seconds. This warms the caramel and melts the chocolate chips ever so slightly—truly irresistible!
FAQs
Can I use caramel sauce instead of caramels?
Absolutely! Just make sure to use a thick caramel sauce and reduce the amount of cream to keep the layer from getting too runny.
Can I use different types of chocolate chips or add-ins?
Yes, feel free to swap some or all of the semi-sweet chips for milk, dark, or even white chocolate chips. You can also add toasted nuts or swirl in peanut butter for extra flavor and crunch.
How do I cut the bars cleanly without sticking?
Cooling the bars completely is key. For those extra-neat slices, pop them in the fridge for 30 minutes before cutting and use a sharp knife, cleaning it between each cut.
Are Chocolate Chip Caramel Bars gluten-free?
The classic version uses all-purpose flour, but you can substitute your favorite 1:1 gluten-free baking mix for a gluten-free adaptation. Just check your other ingredient labels to be safe!
Can I make a smaller batch?
Of course! Halve the recipe and use an 8×8-inch baking dish. Keep an eye on baking times—they may bake a few minutes faster, but you’ll get the same delicious results.
Final Thoughts
There’s just something magical about homemade Chocolate Chip Caramel Bars—they’re comforting, crowd-pleasing, and totally crave-worthy. I hope you give this recipe a try soon, and I can’t wait for you to experience the addictive blend of gooey caramel and rich chocolate for yourself. Happy baking!
Print
Chocolate Chip Caramel Bars Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 24 bars
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Indulge in the irresistible combination of gooey caramel, rich chocolate chips, and buttery cookie dough with these decadent Chocolate Chip Caramel Bars. Perfect for satisfying your sweet tooth!
Ingredients
For the cookie dough:
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup packed brown sugar
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
For the caramel layer:
- 1 (11-ounce) bag soft caramels, unwrapped
- 2 tablespoons heavy cream
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F and prepare a 9×13-inch baking dish with parchment paper or grease.
- Mix dry ingredients: Combine flour, baking soda, and salt in a bowl.
- Cream butter and sugars: In a large bowl, cream butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until fluffy.
- Add wet ingredients: Beat in eggs one at a time, then add vanilla extract.
- Combine wet and dry: Gradually add dry ingredients to wet mixture, then fold in chocolate chips.
- Assemble: Press half of the dough in the baking dish and bake for 10 minutes.
- Melt caramels: Melt caramels and cream in the microwave.
- Add caramel layer: Pour caramel over baked base.
- Add remaining dough: Drop spoonfuls of dough over caramel, spread gently, and bake for 20–22 minutes.
- Cool and slice: Let cool completely before slicing.
Notes
- Refrigerate bars before slicing for easier cutting.
- Substitute caramel squares with caramel sauce, adjusting cream for thickness.
- Bars can be frozen for up to 2 months.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 240
- Sugar: 22g
- Sodium: 140mg
- Fat: 11g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 34g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
