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
- 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
Instructions
- Preparation: Calibrate oven to 350F (175C) with rack centrally positioned. Lubricate a 9-inch baking pan or line with parchment paper for seamless extraction.
- Dry Ingredient Integration: Sift flour, baking powder, and salt into a mixing bowl, ensuring uniform distribution. Set aside this foundational mixture.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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