These Caramel Cookie Bars are rich, gooey, and utterly irresistible. A golden-brown cookie base hugs a luscious layer of melty caramel and chocolate chips, creating the perfect handheld dessert. These bars combine nostalgic cookie flavors with the indulgent addition of soft caramel, finished off with a sprinkle of flaky sea salt. Ideal for cookouts, parties, or anytime you crave a sweet-salty treat, they’re easy to make and impossible to resist.

Full Recipe: 

Ingredients

• ½ cup unsalted butter, room temperature

• 1 cup brown sugar

• 1 large egg

• 2 tsp pure vanilla extract

• 1½ cups all-purpose flour

• ½ tsp baking soda

• ½ tsp salt

• 1 cup chocolate chips

• 11 oz package caramel squares

• 2 tbsp heavy cream

• 1½ tsp flaked sea salt (optional)

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper.

2. In a mixing bowl, beat butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy (about 5 minutes).

3. Add egg and vanilla; mix until fully combined.

4. In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt.

5. Add dry ingredients to wet ingredients and mix until combined. Fold in chocolate chips. Refrigerate dough while preparing caramel.

6. In a small saucepan, heat caramels and heavy cream over medium heat, stirring until smooth and melted.

7. Press ⅔ of the dough into the prepared pan to form an even base. Pour caramel over dough and sprinkle with sea salt if using.

8. Flatten remaining dough into chunks and place over the caramel layer.

9. Bake for 25–30 minutes or until top is light golden brown.

10. Allow bars to cool completely in the pan. Chill in the refrigerator for 20–30 minutes before cutting into squares.

Nutrients (per bar, based on 9 servings)

• Calories: 370

• Fat: 18g

• Saturated Fat: 10g

• Carbohydrates: 51g

• Sugar: 34g

• Protein: 4g

• Fiber: 2g

• Sodium: 222mg

Why These Bars Are So Irresistible

What makes these Caramel Cookie Bars stand out is the combination of layers and textures. Unlike a basic cookie, these bars add a luxurious caramel center that seeps slightly into the dough as it bakes, creating a gooey core that’s equal parts comforting and indulgent. The bottom layer bakes into a soft, chewy cookie foundation, while the top layer adds structure with a golden crust that gives each bar a satisfying bite.

The chocolate chips scattered throughout offer rich, melty bursts of flavor that contrast beautifully with the sweetness of the caramel. When you sprinkle a touch of flaky sea salt over the top, the whole dessert transforms into something greater than the sum of its parts—a balanced, flavorful bite that satisfies both sweet and salty cravings in one go.

Perfect Occasions for Caramel Cookie Bars

These bars are the kind of dessert that feels right in every season and every setting. Their rich flavor and sturdy shape make them ideal for packing into lunchboxes, bringing to potlucks, or wrapping up as a homemade gift. They’re especially great for:

Birthday parties and celebrations where individual portions are easy to grab and eat
Holiday cookie exchanges, since they slice beautifully and hold their shape
Picnics and outdoor gatherings, where you want low-mess, high-reward desserts
Bake sales and fundraisers, where their eye-catching layers and aroma will draw attention
Afternoon treats, paired with coffee or tea for a cozy indulgence

And because they refrigerate and freeze well, you can make them ahead of time and have dessert ready at a moment’s notice.

Flavor and Texture Profile

Caramel Cookie Bars are a study in contrasts—which is what makes them so special. The cookie dough has just enough structure to hold the layers together, yet remains soft and chewy in the center. The caramel adds a sticky, buttery richness that melts slightly into the cookie, giving you that iconic gooey pull with each bite.

The chocolate chips stay melty while the bars are warm and provide a slightly firmer texture once cooled. If you opt to use flaked sea salt on top, you’ll get a hint of crunch and a subtle savory finish that balances the sweetness beautifully.

These bars are deeply satisfying, rich in flavor, and layered in texture, delivering a multi-sensory experience that elevates a simple cookie into a showstopping dessert.

Make-Ahead Tips and Storage

One of the best parts about this recipe is how make-ahead friendly it is. You can:

Refrigerate the dough for up to 48 hours before baking, which also enhances the flavor.
Bake the bars ahead of time, then store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days.
Freeze the bars, tightly wrapped, for up to 2 months. Just thaw overnight in the refrigerator or for a few hours at room temperature before serving.

To get clean, sharp slices, allow the bars to cool fully and then chill them briefly before cutting. A sharp knife and a bit of patience go a long way in creating perfectly neat squares.

Creative Variations

While the classic version is perfect on its own, you can easily customize these bars to suit different tastes or holidays:

Use white chocolate chips or butterscotch chips for a different sweetness profile
Add chopped toasted pecans or walnuts for crunch
Mix in a swirl of peanut butter or Nutella into the caramel for added depth
Top with shredded coconut or crushed pretzels for texture and flavor
Drizzle with melted chocolate or additional caramel after baking for a bakery-style finish

With these variations, the recipe becomes a canvas for your creativity and flavor preferences.

Why Caramel Cookie Bars Belong in Your Recipe Rotation

This is the kind of recipe that’s so universally appealing, you’ll find yourself making it again and again. It doesn’t require any fancy equipment or hard-to-find ingredients, and it comes together quickly without compromising on flavor or presentation. It also scales well—you can double the batch for a crowd, or make it in a larger pan if needed.

These bars are also a great entry point for beginner bakers who want to create something that looks and tastes impressive, but without the stress of decorating or layering multiple complex components.

Plus, there’s a nostalgic quality to them—like the best parts of a chocolate chip cookie and a gooey caramel brownie wrapped into one. It’s comfort food in dessert form, designed to delight both kids and adults alike.

Conclusion

Caramel Cookie Bars are the ultimate combination of comfort and indulgence, offering a rich caramel center, a chewy cookie base, and melty chocolate throughout—all topped with a delicate sprinkle of sea salt for contrast. They’re incredibly easy to make, endlessly adaptable, and ideal for any occasion where you want to bring a crowd-pleasing dessert to the table.

From the first bite to the last crumb, these bars deliver a perfectly balanced, sweet-salty treat that’s both familiar and luxurious. Keep this recipe close—it’s one you’ll return to every time you want to impress with minimal effort and maximum deliciousness.