Salted Caramel Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars

Salted caramel chocolate chip cookie bars are one of the best flavor combinations you'll ever taste! Start with a chocolate chip cookie dough base, layer gooey salted caramel, and top with more cookie dough before popping these dessert bars into the oven.

You'll love this decadent treat. Consider making a double batch, because for sure, you're going to want more!

What you'll need to make this salted caramel cookie bar recipe :

• 1 cup of unsalted butter
• 1 cup of granulated sugar
• 1 cup of packed light brown sugar, packed
•  2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
• 2½ cups of all-purpose flour
• ½ teaspoon of sea salt
• 1 teaspoon of baking soda
• 2 cups of semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 11-ounce package of soft caramels, unwrapped
• 14-ounce can of sweetened condensed milk
• ½ teaspoon of sea salt flakes

Try these tips to make your salted caramel cookie bars simple and just the way you like them:

• Cookie dough: Grab two big rolls of pre-made chocolate chip cookie dough for a quick shortcut. Or, if you love your own cookie recipe, use that instead.
• Caramel sauce: A homemade soft-set caramel sauce works nicely. The classic method of melting caramel candies with sweetened condensed milk gives you a thick, smooth, gooey layer.
• Store-bought option: A jar of salted caramel sauce will save time. If you go this route, skip adding the extra flaked sea salt.

You’ll love how simple these salted caramel chocolate chip cookie bars come together from start to finish. So grab your ingredients, and let’s get started!

FIRST STEP: Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line the bottom of a 9×13 baking dish with parchment paper and spray the bottom and sides with nonstick cooking spray.

SECOND STEP: Beat together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar in the large bowl of a stand mixer for 1 to 2 minutes.

THIRD STEP: Add the eggs and vanilla extract then beat together at high speed for at least 5 minutes longer.

FOURTH STEP: Mix together the flour, ½ teaspoon sea salt, and baking soda in a small bowl. Add dry ingredients to the creamed mixture and beat just until combined.

FIFTH STEP: Add in 2 cups of chocolate chips and beat a few seconds longer to evenly distribute them in the dough.

SIXTH STEP: Place the dough into the refrigerator while preparing the caramel (this will firm the dough up a bit to make it easier to press into the pan).

SEVENTH STEP: Unwrap all of the caramel candies and place them in a heavy-bottomed medium saucepan. Pour sweetened condensed milk over the caramels.

Heat over medium-low heat, stirring frequently until caramels are fully melted, and the mixture is smooth (about 8 to 10 minutes). Remove from the heat.

EIGHTH STEP: Add ½ teaspoon of sea salt flakes and stir into the caramel mixture.

NINTH STEP: Press half of the cookie dough into the bottom of the prepared pan. If the dough is too sticky, use a spatula or a sheet of plastic wrap to press down the cookie dough layer.

TENTH STEP: Spread the melted caramel mixture in an even layer over the cookie dough base.

ELEVENTH STEP: Sprinkle the other half of the cookie dough mixture in small pieces over top of the caramel layer, covering most of the surface.

TWELFTH STEP: Bake for 25 minutes, or until the center of the cookie dough is set.

THIRTEENTH STEP: Remove from the oven and sprinkle with another ½ to 1 teaspoon of sea salt flakes over top of the bars.

FOURTEENTH STEP: Cool completely, then cut into bars and serve.

These salted caramel chocolate chip cookie bars combine soft, chocolatey cookie dough with a thick layer of gooey caramel in the center. They’re so good you’ll crave making them again and again, and your whole family will love every bite.

These bars shine solo, but let’s be real... with a scoop of ice cream on top, they go next-level awesome. Serve them warm or at room temperature. They taste great both ways.

🍦 Serve warm with ice cream: Top a warm bar with cookie dough ice cream for the ultimate gooey-meets-creamy dessert.

☕ Pair with coffee: Enjoy a square with an afternoon mug of spiced iced coffee or iced tea for a cozy treat.

🎉 Share at parties: Cut into bite-size squares and serve on a platter. They're perfect for holidays, bake sales, or family gatherings.

❄️ Enjoy later: Store leftovers at room temp or freeze a batch so you’ve got treats ready when cravings hit.

This cookie bars recipe is a keeper! Here’s why you’ll be baking them on repeat:

🍫 Chocolate + caramel combo: Rich, soft cookie dough hugs a gooey caramel layer for the best sweet and salty bite.

⏱ Simple to make: No fancy steps, just cookie dough, melted caramels, and a quick bake in a 9×13 pan.

🎉 Perfect for any occasion: Serve at parties, holidays, or family nights. These bars always disappear fast.

❄️ Make ahead friendly: They stay fresh for days and freeze beautifully, so you can always have a treat ready.

How do I keep the caramel layer from sticking to the knife?
Coat your knife with cooking spray or warm it under hot water. Wipe clean between cuts for neat squares.

Can I double the recipe for a crowd?
Yes, double the recipe and use two pans. Bake them side by side and rotate halfway through for even cooking.

Why did my bars turn out greasy?
Too much butter or uneven mixing can result in greasy bars. Measure carefully and mix the dough until just combined.

How do I stop the bars from overbaking?
Start checking the bars at 30 minutes. Remove them once the edges turn golden and the center looks just set.

What’s the best way to cool the bars quickly?
Place the baked pan on a wire rack. For faster cooling, refrigerate once the pan feels safe to touch.

Why did my caramel layer harden too much?
Overheating caramel makes it stiff. Keep the heat low and stir constantly until the mixture turns smooth and pourable.

Can I store caramel cookie bars on the counter?
Keep the cookie bars covered with plastic wrap or in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 7 days.

Can I store my squares in the freezer?
Store the salted caramel chocolate chip cookie bars in a sealed, airtight container and freeze for up to 3 months.