There is nothing quite like a homemade treat that perfectly balances the rich, gooey texture of caramel with the classic, melty goodness of chocolate chips. This Chocolate Chip Caramel Bars Recipe brings exactly that to your kitchen and your taste buds, layering buttery cookie bars with luscious caramel and pockets of semi-sweet chocolate. Whether you’re baking for a crowd or simply indulging on a cozy night in, these bars deliver that incredible chewy, sweet, and slightly salty flavor combo that keeps everyone coming back for more. Let’s dive into how to make this irresistible dessert that feels just as special as it tastes.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic of these bars lies in their simplicity—each ingredient plays a crucial role in creating a perfect texture and rich flavor profile. From the soft butter that gives the base its tender crumb to the caramel squares that add that signature gooey layer, every element is essential to an unforgettable dessert experience.
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour: Provides the structure and stability for these bars, ensuring they hold together perfectly.
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda: Helps with just the right rise and tenderness in the cookie base.
- 1/2 teaspoon salt: Balances sweetness and enhances all other flavors beautifully.
- 3/4 cup unsalted butter (softened): Gives richness and moisture—softened for easy mixing and a smooth texture.
- 1 cup packed brown sugar: Adds depth with its molasses notes, keeping the bars chewy and flavorful.
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar: Brings sweetness and helps with a slight crisp edge on the base layer.
- 2 large eggs: Bind everything together and contribute to the soft, tender bite.
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract: Infuses a warm, aromatic flavor that complements chocolate and caramel flawlessly.
- 2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips: Melt into pockets of chocolatey bliss throughout the bars.
- 1 (11-ounce) bag soft caramels (unwrapped): Your gooey, luscious filling—melts into creamy caramel perfection.
- 2 tablespoons heavy cream: Helps the caramel melt smoothly and adds a silky texture for the filling.
How to Make Chocolate Chip Caramel Bars Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Baking Dish and Dry Ingredients
Start by getting your oven heated to 350°F and line a 9×13-inch baking dish with parchment paper or grease it lightly. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. This ensures even distribution throughout your dough, so every bite is consistent.
Step 2: Cream the Butter and Sugars
Using a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. This step is crucial as it traps air and lends a tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture to your bars.
Step 3: Incorporate Eggs and Vanilla
Beat in the eggs one at a time, making sure each is fully combined before adding the next. Afterward, stir in the vanilla extract to inject that comforting flavor everyone loves.
Step 4: Combine Dry Ingredients with Wet Mixture
Gradually add your flour mixture to the wet ingredients, folding gently until just combined. Overmixing can lead to tough bars, so take it slow. Then, fold in the chocolate chips, saving some to fold in the second half of the dough if you want pockets of chocolate in both layers.
Step 5: Bake the Base Layer
Press half of the dough evenly into your prepared pan and bake for 10 minutes. This pre-baking step is key to create a sturdy base that holds the caramel without getting soggy.
Step 6: Melt and Add the Caramel Layer
While your base bakes, melt the unwrapped caramels and heavy cream together in a microwave-safe bowl. Heat in 30-second increments, stirring well until smooth and luscious. Pour this caramel layer evenly over the hot base as soon as it’s out of the oven.
Step 7: Top with Remaining Dough and Final Bake
Drop spoonfuls of the remaining dough over the caramel layer, spreading gently to cover as much as you can without disturbing the gooey filling. Return the pan to the oven and bake for another 20 to 22 minutes or until the top is golden brown and inviting.
Step 8: Cool and Slice
Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan before cutting. For cleaner slices, especially if you’re serving shortly after, refrigerate for about 30 minutes. Then, cut into squares and prepare for swooning taste buds.
How to Serve Chocolate Chip Caramel Bars Recipe
Garnishes
Sprinkle a pinch of flaky sea salt over the bars just before serving for an irresistible sweet and salty contrast. You can also add a light dusting of powdered sugar or drizzle with extra melted chocolate to really make these bars shine at any gathering.
Side Dishes
Serve these bars alongside a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream for an indulgent dessert. A hot cup of coffee or a rich hot chocolate pairs beautifully, balancing the bars’ sweetness and making every bite a cozy moment.
Creative Ways to Present
Try layering these bars in a glass trifle with whipped cream and chopped nuts for an elegant dessert option. Alternatively, cut them into bite-sized pieces and serve on a festive platter as party finger food—guaranteed to disappear fast!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep your leftover Chocolate Chip Caramel Bars Recipe fresh by storing them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days. For longer storage, refrigeration is a great option, maintaining their chewy texture and caramel gooeyness.
Freezing
These bars freeze exceptionally well. Wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and place in a freezer-safe container for up to two months. When you’re ready to enjoy, thaw at room temperature or warm them gently for that just-baked experience.
Reheating
If you prefer your bars warm, pop them in a microwave for 15 to 20 seconds or heat briefly in an oven set to 300°F. This will bring back that fresh-from-the-oven softness and melty caramel charm.
FAQs
Can I use caramel sauce instead of caramel squares?
Absolutely! Just reduce the heavy cream slightly to keep the caramel layer thick and gooey. Using caramel sauce can speed up the melting process and still deliver that sweet richness.
What type of chocolate chips work best?
Semi-sweet chocolate chips are perfect because they balance the sweetness of the caramel without overwhelming it. However, milk or dark chocolate chips can also be used depending on your flavor preference.
How can I make slicing easier and neater?
Refrigerating the bars for about 30 minutes after they have cooled makes cutting much easier and results in cleaner edges without gooey caramel sticking to your knife.
Are these bars suitable for freezing?
Yes, Chocolate Chip Caramel Bars freeze very well. Just wrap them properly, and they will keep their flavor and texture for up to two months.
Can I make these gluten-free?
You can substitute the all-purpose flour for a gluten-free flour blend, but results may vary slightly in texture. Make sure your caramel and chocolate chips are also gluten-free for a safe treat.
Final Thoughts
There is truly something special about this Chocolate Chip Caramel Bars Recipe that makes it a favorite to return to again and again. The combination of buttery cookie, melted chocolate, and gooey caramel is simply irresistible, perfect for sharing and savoring with friends and family. Once you try making these bars, they’ll become a treasured staple in your homemade dessert collection. Happy baking and even happier eating!
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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
Delight in these irresistible Chocolate Chip Caramel Bars featuring a buttery cookie base, gooey caramel layer, and melty chocolate chips for a perfect blend of sweet and rich flavors. This dessert is easy to make and perfect for sharing or satisfying your sweet tooth anytime.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients and Mix-ins
- 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
Caramel Layer
- 1 (11-ounce) bag soft caramels, unwrapped
- 2 tablespoons heavy cream
Instructions
- Prepare the baking dish: Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line a 9×13-inch baking dish with parchment paper or lightly grease it to prevent sticking.
- Mix dry ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt until evenly combined.
- Cream butter and sugars: In a large mixing bowl, use an electric mixer to cream the softened unsalted butter with the packed brown sugar and granulated sugar until the mixture becomes light, fluffy, and well blended.
- Add eggs and vanilla: Beat in the eggs one at a time, ensuring each is fully incorporated before adding the next. Then mix in the vanilla extract for flavor.
- Combine wet and dry: Gradually add the dry flour mixture to the wet ingredients, stirring just until the flour is incorporated. Avoid overmixing to keep the bars tender.
- Fold in chocolate chips: Gently fold the 2 cups of semi-sweet chocolate chips into the dough until evenly distributed.
- Form the base layer: Press half of the dough evenly into the prepared baking dish to form the base of the bars.
- Bake the base: Bake this dough layer in the preheated oven for 10 minutes to set the crust before adding the caramel.
- Prepare caramel layer: While the base bakes, melt the unwrapped caramels with the heavy cream in a microwave-safe bowl. Heat in 30-second increments, stirring after each, until the mixture is smooth and pourable.
- Add the caramel layer: Pour the melted caramel evenly over the baked cookie base, smoothing it out gently with a spatula.
- Add the top layer of dough: Drop spoonfuls of the remaining cookie dough over the caramel layer. Use a spatula or your fingers to gently spread and cover as much of the caramel as possible.
- Bake the assembled bars: Return the dish to the oven and bake for an additional 20–22 minutes or until the top is golden brown and cooked through.
- Cool and slice: Let the bars cool completely in the pan to allow the caramel to set. For cleaner slices, refrigerate for 30 minutes before cutting into 24 bars.
Notes
- Refrigerating the bars after cooling helps with easier slicing and cleaner edges.
- You can substitute caramel squares with caramel sauce, but reduce the amount of heavy cream to keep the filling thick and avoid runniness.
- These bars freeze well; store them in an airtight container for up to 2 months and thaw before serving.
