Salted Caramel Chocolate Sugar Cookie Bars Recipe
Delight in these decadent Salted Caramel Chocolate Sugar Cookie Bars, combining buttery sugar cookie dough with rich chocolate chips, luscious caramel sauce, and a sprinkle of sea salt flakes for the perfect balance of sweet and salty. Easy to prepare and baked to golden perfection, these bars make a delightful treat for any occasion.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 24 bars 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Cookie Dough
- 1 cup unsalted butter (softened)
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Toppings
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1 cup caramel sauce
- 1 teaspoon sea salt flakes
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a 9×13-inch baking dish with parchment paper to prevent sticking and make cleanup easier.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened unsalted butter and granulated sugar together until the mixture is light and fluffy, ensuring a tender texture for the cookies.
- Add Egg and Vanilla: Mix in the large egg and vanilla extract until fully incorporated, which helps bind the dough and adds flavor.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt to evenly distribute the leavening agent and seasoning.
- Mix Dry into Wet: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, stirring just until combined to avoid overworking the dough and keep the bars tender.
- Press Dough in Pan: Transfer and press the cookie dough evenly into the prepared baking dish, creating an even base for the toppings.
- Add Chocolate Chips: Scatter the semi-sweet chocolate chips evenly over the dough, pressing them gently into the surface to help them adhere during baking.
- Drizzle Caramel Sauce: Pour and spread the caramel sauce evenly over the chocolate chip layer for rich, gooey pockets of flavor.
- Sprinkle Sea Salt: Sprinkle sea salt flakes over the top to enhance the sweet and salty contrast in each bite.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 25–30 minutes, or until the edges turn golden brown and the center is set but still soft.
- Cool and Slice: Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan to firm up before slicing into squares for serving.
Notes
- Ensure the butter is softened at room temperature for easier creaming with sugar.
- For a deeper flavor, you can use homemade caramel sauce or a high-quality store-bought version.
- Allow bars to cool fully before slicing to avoid crumbling.
- Store bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for up to a week.
- For extra texture, try adding chopped nuts or a sprinkle of crushed pretzels on top before baking.
Keywords: salted caramel, chocolate, sugar cookie bars, dessert bars, caramel sauce, chocolate chips, sea salt, easy dessert, baked bars
