Enchanting Chocolate Chip Caramel Bars Recipe for Sweet Dreams

Sweet, gooey chocolate chip caramel bars dance with decadent layers of irresistible homemade goodness.

These incredible bars blend rich caramel swirls into classic chocolate chip cookie dough.

Every golden-edged square promises a melt-in-your-mouth experience that stops conversations mid-bite.

Buttery caramel ribbons weave through soft, chewy textures, creating an utterly indulgent treat.

The perfect balance of sweet and salty makes these bars impossible to resist.

Crumbling edges and gooey centers guarantee a dessert that vanishes from the plate in moments.

Prepare to be the dessert hero at your next gathering with this ultimate crowd-pleasing recipe.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 45 minutes

Calories: 380 kcal

Servings: 17

Ingredients for Chocolate Chip Caramel Bars

• All Purpose Flour: Provides structural foundation for bars, choose unbleached for richer texture.
• Baking Powder: Creates soft, light lift in baked goods, ensure it's fresh for maximum rising.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor complexity and balances sweetness.

• Brown Sugar: Delivers deep caramel-like sweetness and moisture, select dark brown for more intense flavor.
• Butter: Adds richness and creates tender crumb, use high-quality unsalted butter for best results.
• Egg: Binds ingredients and provides structure, select fresh room temperature eggs.
• Vanilla Extract: Intensifies overall flavor profile, choose pure extract over artificial versions.

• Chocolate Chips: Creates delightful pockets of melted chocolate, opt for semi-sweet or dark chocolate.
• Caramel Bits or Caramel Sauce: Introduces gooey, luxurious swirls throughout bars, select high-quality caramel.
• Sea Salt: Provides sophisticated flavor contrast, use sparingly as a finishing touch.

Tools to Make Chocolate Chip Caramel Bars

• Large mixing bowl: Essential for combining wet and dry ingredients smoothly.
• Small mixing bowl: Perfect for whisking dry ingredients together.
• Electric mixer or hand mixer: Helps cream butter and sugar to fluffy perfection.
• 9×9-inch baking pan: Crucial for creating evenly baked chocolate chip caramel bars.
• Parchment paper or cooking spray: Ensures easy bar removal and prevents sticking.
• Whisk: Great for blending dry ingredients thoroughly.
• Spatula: Helps fold in chocolate chips and caramel, and spread dough evenly.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Necessary for accurate ingredient measurements.
• Toothpick: Helps check doneness by testing bar centers.

How to Make Chocolate Chip Caramel Bars

• Prepare Your Workspace

Heat the oven to a cozy 350°F. Coat a baking pan with cooking spray or line it with parchment paper for hassle-free cleanup.

• Create the Dough Base

In a mixing bowl, whip together softened butter and brown sugar until they transform into a creamy, dreamy mixture. Crack in an egg and splash of vanilla, blending until smooth and inviting.

• Build the Foundation

Gently fold in flour, baking powder, and a pinch of salt. Mix until the dough comes together, looking soft and slightly tempting.

• Enhance with Delicious Bits

Sprinkle chocolate chips throughout the dough. Drizzle caramel sauce generously, creating pockets of gooey sweetness in every bite.

• Bake to Golden Perfection

Spread the dough evenly in the prepared pan. Slide into the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes until the top turns a gorgeous golden brown.

• Cool and Slice

Let the bars rest completely in the pan. Once cooled, slice into squares. For an extra flavor punch, dust with a sprinkle of sea salt that’ll make taste buds dance.

Tips to Upgrade Chocolate Chip Caramel Bars

• Expert Tips and Twists
• Add an extra tablespoon of flour if your dough feels too sticky, ensuring a firmer bar that cuts cleanly without falling apart.
• Toast chocolate chips briefly in a dry skillet before adding them to intensify their rich, nutty chocolate flavor and create deeper complexity.
• Swap butter with coconut oil and use dairy-free chocolate chips to make these bars completely vegan-friendly without sacrificing taste.
• Drizzle additional caramel sauce and sprinkle flaky sea salt just before serving to elevate the sweet-salty contrast and create a gourmet dessert experience.
• These bars freeze beautifully for up to 3 weeks when wrapped tightly in plastic wrap, making them perfect for advance preparation and spontaneous sweet cravings.

How to Serve Chocolate Chip Caramel Bars

• Sweet Café Companion: Perfect for pairing these chocolate chip caramel bars with a warm latte or cappuccino, creating a delightful afternoon treat that balances the rich sweetness of the dessert.
• Decadent Dessert Platter: Arrange bars alongside vanilla ice cream, drizzle extra caramel sauce, and garnish with chopped nuts for an elegant presentation that elevates the simple bar into a restaurant-worthy dessert.
• Picnic and Party Favorite: Cut bars into smaller bite-sized pieces for easy sharing at potlucks, family gatherings, or casual get-togethers, making them a crowd-pleasing option that travels well and looks impressive.
• Gift-Worthy Goodness: Package bars in clear cellophane with a ribbon, creating a homemade gift that shows personal care and culinary skill – perfect for teachers, neighbors, or weekend hostess presents.

Keeping Chocolate Chip Caramel Bars Fresh

• Store these delectable bars in an airtight container inside the refrigerator for up to 5 days, ensuring they maintain their soft texture and rich flavor profile.
• Wrap individual bars in plastic wrap, place them in a freezer-safe bag, and store for 2-3 months. Thaw at room temperature for a quick sweet treat whenever cravings strike.
• Separate bar layers with parchment paper when storing to prevent sticking and maintain their delightful shape and individual integrity.
• Keep bars away from direct sunlight and heat sources. Room temperature storage works best for 2-3 days, allowing the caramel and chocolate to retain their mouthwatering consistency.

FAQs

• What gives these bars their rich flavor?

The combination of brown sugar, vanilla extract, and caramel creates a deep, complex sweetness that makes these bars incredibly delicious. The brown sugar adds a molasses-like depth, while the caramel provides extra gooey richness.

• Can I use different types of chocolate chips?

Absolutely! You can swap milk chocolate, dark chocolate, or even white chocolate chips depending on your preference. Each type will bring a unique flavor profile to the bars.

• How do I know when the bars are perfectly baked?

Look for golden brown edges and a slightly firm center. When you insert a toothpick, it should come out with just a few moist crumbs. Avoid overbaking, as this can make the bars dry and tough.

• Is the sea salt really necessary?

While not essential, the sea salt provides a wonderful contrast to the sweet caramel and chocolate. It enhances the overall flavor by adding a subtle savory note that balances the sweetness.

Dreamy Chocolate Chip Caramel Bars Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.6 from 26 reviews

• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 17 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Delightful chocolate chip caramel bars blend sweet caramel with classic chocolate chip cookie flavors. Rich layers of buttery dough and gooey caramel create a memorable dessert that satisfies chocolate and caramel cravings.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 2 cups (480 mL) all-purpose flour
• 1 cup (227 g) unsalted butter, softened
• 2 cups (340 g) semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 1 cup (240 mL) caramel sauce
• 1 cup (220 g) brown sugar, packed
• ½ cup (100 g) granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 2 tsps vanilla extract
• ¼ cup (60 mL) heavy cream
• 1 tsp baking soda
• ½ tsp salt
• Optional: sea salt flakes, for garnish

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Preparation: Calibrate oven to 350F (175C) with rack centrally positioned. Lubricate a 9-inch baking pan or line with parchment paper for seamless extraction.
2. Dry Ingredient Integration: Sift flour, baking powder, and salt into a mixing bowl, ensuring uniform distribution. Set aside this foundational mixture.
3. Wet Component Fusion: Cream butter and brown sugar using an electric mixer until voluminous and light. Incorporate egg and vanilla extract, blending until achieving a silky, cohesive consistency.
4. Dough Formation: Methodically fold dry ingredients into the creamy base, creating a malleable dough with subtle adhesive qualities. Delicately distribute chocolate chips and caramel throughout, generating pockets of indulgent sweetness.
5. Baking Process: Transfer dough into prepared pan, smoothing to create an even landscape. Bake for 22-24 minutes, monitoring until surfaces transform to a golden-amber tone and a test skewer reveals minimal moisture.
6. Finalization: Allow complete cooling within the pan. Slice into precise squares and optionally garnish with a whisper of sea salt to amplify flavor complexity.

Notes

• Butter Temperature Matters: Use room temperature butter for smoother, more even mixing and better bar texture.
• Caramel Swirl Technique: Drizzle caramel gently and create marble-like patterns for an attractive and delicious visual effect.
• Prevent Overbaking: Check bars at 20 minutes to maintain a soft, chewy center and avoid dry edges.
• Dietary Modification: Swap regular flour with gluten-free blend and use dairy-free butter for alternative diet versions.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 17
• Calories: 380
• Sugar: 31 g
• Sodium: 150 mg
• Fat: 20 g
• Saturated Fat: 12 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 44 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 50 mg