Salted Caramel Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars

Oven baked cookie bars only use simple ingredients, so you might not even have to make a trip to the grocery store! Serve these amazing treats at family game time or movie nights.

WHAT ARE COOKIE BARS?

Cookie bars are made from a basic cookie dough that is flavored by adding delicious add-ins like chocolate chips, nuts, peanut butter chips, caramel bites or coconut flakes, for example. Most importantly, no individual cookies need to be rolled, as you bake the dough in a baking dish and then cut into squares. They are quick, easy and oh so delicious!

SALTED CARAMEL COOKIE BAR INGREDIENTS

This section explains how to choose the best ingredients for salted caramel chocolate chip cookie bars, what each one does in the recipe, and substitution options. For measurements, see the recipe card below.

You may have all of these chocolate caramel cookies ingredients in your refrigerator or pantry and not need to make a trip to the grocery store. See recipe card below for ingredient amounts.

• All-purpose flour: Plain all-purpose flour works great here but cake flour can be substituted by adding an additional 2 tablespoons for each cup of all-purpose flour. If the recipe calls for 1 cup of all-purpose flour, use 1 cup and 2 tablespoons of cake flour.
• Baking Soda
• Baking Powder
• Sea Salt
• Butter: It is important to use softened butter, so it blends well with the other ingredients. Take the butter out of the fridge 30-60 minutes before starting the recipe. You can also soften butter by microwaving it for a couple of seconds.
• Granulated Sugar
• Light Brown Sugar: The molasses in the sugar adds great flavor to your cookie bars and keeps them chewy. You can substitute dark brown sugar in a pinch.
• Egg
• Vanilla Extract
• Chocolate Chips: We used regular semi-sweet chocolate chips for this recipe but you can also use mini chocolate chips, milk chocolate chips or a mix of all of them.
• Caramel Bits
• Salt Flakes

INSTRUCTIONS

This section shows how to cook oven baked salted caramel cookie bars, with step-by-step photos and details about the technique. For full instructions, nutritional information, to print the recipe or to have the recipe scaled to double or triple, see the recipe card below.

COMBINE THE DRY INGREDIENTS: In a small bowl, combine flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt. Whisk to blend.

COMBINE THE WET INGREDIENTS: Combine softened butter, brown sugar and granulated sugar.

🔴 TIP: Make sure you use softened butter. Take the butter out of the refrigerator 30-60 minutes before you make cookies. Or you can cut cold butter into 1 tablespoon portions, place on a microwave safe plate and microwave for 5 seconds.

🔴 TIP: Do not overmix the batter, go slow and stop mixing once everything is just combined.

BAKE: Spread the batter into the prepared pan. Sprinkle with salt. Cook for 20-22 minutes or until golden brown and done. Remember it will continue cooking a little after removing it from the oven.

🔴 TIP: Add more chocolate chips to the top of your cookie bars and press in lightly, if desired.

ENJOY: Once cool, remove from the baking dish and cut into squares.

HOW TO MAKE COOKIE BARS IN THE AIR FRYER

You can also try to cook this wonderful chocolate chip caramel cookie dough in the air fryer. We prefer the oven baked method for this recipe, but this is fun too!

Make sure you cut the recipe in half, or bake your cookie bars in 2 batches. We used a round cake pan and cooked the cookie bars at 300ºF until done.

If you like making cookies in the air fryer you must also try our scrumptious Air Fryer Cookies or Air Fryer Cookie for One.

HOW TO COOK JUST ONE COOKIE

Want to make just one cookie? After mixing up this recipe, use a large cookie scoop to make round 2-3 tablespoon size balls of dough. Place the dough balls on a baking sheet on parchment paper. Place the baking sheet in the freezer for an hour. Once frozen, pop the cookie dough balls into the freezer in a ziplock bag. These cookie dough balls will last 3 months. Use our One Cookie Air Fryer Recipe to cook up one at a time when you want it.

STORAGE TIPS

Counter: In the unlikely case you end up with chocolate caramel cookie bar leftovers, you can store them in an airtight container or ziploc bag at room temperature for up to 3 days. Make sure they are tightly wrapped or covered so they stay soft and chewy.

Freeze: Completely cooled oven baked cookie bars can be frozen in a freezer safe container or bag for up to 3 months.

Defrosting: Thaw your salted caramel chocolate chip blondie bars on the counter for a couple of hours. To enjoy a delicious warm cookie bar, simply pop the defrosted treats in the microwave for a few of seconds or in the oven for a minute or two.

MORE COOKIE BAR RECIPES

Do you love the convenience of no chill, no shape cookie bars? Then you have to try our Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars, White Chocolate Macadamia Nut Cookie Bars, Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars, and Chocolate Coconut Bars.

Another must-try recipe are these insanely yummy Lemon Cream Cheese Cookie Bars. The combination of citrusy cream cheese filling with cookie crumble topping is just to die for.

If you are a big fan of everything caramel, you will most certainly also love our Turtle Hand Pies, Deep Fried Snickers, Salted Caramel Hot Chocolate Bombs, Butterscotch Cookies with Toffee and Caramel Rice Krispie Treat Sandwiches.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

For perfect results every time, here are answers to the most common questions about cooking salted caramel chocolate chip cookie bars.