Chocolate Chip Caramel Bars

These easy-to-make, delicious Chocolate Chip Caramel Bars are made with my favorite chocolate chip cookie recipe and an easy homemade caramel filling to deliver a big chewy flavor that will satisfy any late night craving! But, let’s be honest, you’ll be eating these all day.

Chocolate Chip Caramel Bars

I’m excited to share with you my Chocolate Chip Caramel Bars from my book, “BAKE, by Courtney.” You will love how easy these bars are to make. You’ll be using the chocolate chip cookie recipe from my Soft and Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies, with a simple homemade caramel sauce for the filling.

Why You’ll Love These Chocolate Chip Caramel Bars

1. Easy to Make: With simple ingredients and straightforward steps, these bars are beginner-friendly.
2. Irresistible Texture: Chewy, gooey, and slightly crispy—every bite is a delight.
3. Versatile: Perfect for holidays, gifting, or satisfying your late-night cravings.

Ingredients You’ll Need

To make these decadent bars, gather the following:

• 1 cup unsalted butter
• 1 cup brown sugar (packed)
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 3 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 2 teaspoon salt
• 2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 1 cup soft caramel candies (unwrapped)
• 14 ounce can sweetened condensed milk

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Preheat and Prep

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving a slight overhang for easy removal later.

2. Make the Caramel and Cookie Dough

• In a medium saucepan, combine the unwrapped caramels, sweetened condensed milk, and 1 teaspoon salt. Cook over medium heat until the mixture is smooth. Turn off heat and allow to cool slightly.
• In a large mixing bowl, cream together the butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
• Beat in the eggs one at a time, followed by the vanilla extract.
• In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add this to the wet mixture.
• Fold in the chocolate chips.

3. Layer the Bars

• Press about 2/3rd of the cookie dough evenly into the prepared pan.
• Pour the caramel mixture over the cookie dough layer.
• Drop spoonfuls of the remaining cookie dough on top, spreading gently to cover as much as possible.

4. Bake and Cool

Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the edges are set. Cool completely in the pan before lifting out and cutting into bars.

Pro Tips for Perfect Bars

• Parchment Paper Hack: Use binder clips to keep the parchment paper in place while spreading the dough.
• Storage: Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days or freeze for longer storage.

FAQs

Video Tutorial: How to Make Chocolate Chip Caramel Bars

Chocolate Chip Caramel Bars

These Chocolate Chip Caramel Bars are the ultimate crowd-pleaser. With their gooey caramel center and rich chocolatey flavor, they’re bound to become a favorite in your dessert repertoire. Don’t wait—try this recipe today and share the joy of homemade goodness!

Don’t Forget to Pin It!

Save this recipe for later by pinning it to your favorite dessert board. And if you try it, let us know in the comments how it turned out!

Chocolate Chip Caramel Bars

5 from 14 votes

The most delicious chocolate chip cookie bars filled with caramel.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Ingredients

  

Ingredients

• 11 ounces baking caramel, unwrapped
• 1 can (14 ounces) sweetened condensed milk
• 1 teaspoons (6 g) salt
• 3 1/2 cups (420 g) all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon (4 g) baking soda
• 1 teaspoon (6 g) salt
• 1 cup (226 g) unsalted butter, slightly cold and cut into ½” cubes
• 1 cup (200 g) granulated sugar
• 1 cup (220 g) light brown sugar, packed
• 2 eggs, slightly cold
• 1 teaspoon (4.2 g) vanilla extract
• 2 cups (360 g) semi-sweet or bittersweet chocolate chips

Instructions

 

Instructions

• Combine the unwrapped caramels, sweetened condensed milk, and salt in a medium sauce pan over medium heat.
• Cook the mixture, stirring occasionally, until the caramels melt and the mixture is smooth and uniform. Continue to cook for an additional 5 minutes.
• Turn off the heat and allow the caramel to cool slightly while you make the chocolate chip cookie bars.
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Spray a 9×13-inch baking pan with nonstick spray, line with parchment paper, and spray again. Set aside.
• In a medium size mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
• In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar on medium-high speed until smooth, about 2 to 3 minutes. The mixture should look lighter in color and fluffier in texture.
• With the mixer on medium speed, add the eggs, one at a time, mixing well between each addition. Turn the mixer off and scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl.
• Add the vanilla and mix for about 30 seconds.
• With the mixer on low speed, add the flour mixture and stir until no streaks of flour remain.
• Stir in the chocolate chips.
• Press about ⅔ of the cookie dough firmly into the prepared pan to create the first layer.
• Pour the caramel over the bars to create an even layer of caramel.
• Sprinkle the remaining cookie dough, breaking it into smaller chunks, over the top of the caramel.
• Bake bars for 30 to 35 minutes, or until golden brown on top.
• Remove from oven and allow to cool for at least 30 minutes before serving.

Notes

Courtney’s Note: These bars can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for a few days. Serve at room temp or microwave for about 20 seconds for a soft and gooey texture.

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: Bars

Keyword: caramel, Chocolate Chip Bars, Chocolate Chip Caramel Bars, chocolate chip cookies