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Chocolate Chip Caramel Bars Recipe

Chocolate Chip Caramel Bars Recipe
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★★★★★

5 from 11 reviews

These Chocolate Chip Caramel Bars feature a luscious layer of melted caramel sandwiched perfectly between two layers of buttery chocolate chip cookie dough. The bars combine the classic flavors of rich caramel and semi-sweet chocolate morsels with a soft, chewy cookie texture, making them an irresistible treat perfect for dessert or special occasions.

Ingredients

Scale

Cookie Dough

  • 1 cup (2 sticks or 226g) butter, room temperature
  • 1 ½ cups (300 g) brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature
  • 2 ¼ cups (282 g) all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 2 cups semi-sweet chocolate morsels

Caramel Sauce

  • 5 ounces evaporated milk
  • 1 package (11 ounces) caramel bits or wrapped caramels (unwrapped if using wrapped caramels)

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13-inch baking dish with parchment paper or spray with nonstick cooking spray for easy removal.
  2. Cream butter, sugar, and vanilla: In a large bowl, use a hand-held mixer to cream together the room temperature butter, brown sugar, and vanilla extract until the mixture is light, fluffy, and well combined.
  3. Add eggs: Add the eggs one at a time to the creamed mixture, mixing well after each addition to ensure a smooth dough.
  4. Mix dry ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and kosher salt. Gradually add this to the wet ingredients and mix on low speed until just combined.
  5. Fold in chocolate chips: Stir in the semi-sweet chocolate morsels by hand or with the mixer on low, ensuring even distribution throughout the dough.
  6. Press first layer: Press half of the cookie dough evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking dish, creating a flat layer.
  7. Bake first layer: Bake this layer in the preheated oven for 10 minutes. While it bakes, prepare the caramel sauce.
  8. Make caramel sauce: In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine the evaporated milk and caramel bits. Stir frequently for about 8 minutes, until the caramels are fully melted and the sauce is smooth. Remove from heat.
  9. Add caramel to bars: Carefully remove the partially baked cookie layer from the oven and place on a heat-safe surface. Pour the warm caramel sauce evenly over the baked cookie layer, spreading it into every corner.
  10. Add remaining cookie dough: Take small handfuls of the remaining cookie dough, flatten slightly, and gently place dollops over the caramel layer, allowing some caramel to show between the dough pieces.
  11. Final bake: Return the baking dish to the oven and bake for an additional 15-18 minutes, or until the caramel is bubbling and the cookie dough turns golden brown.
  12. Cool and serve: Remove the bars from the oven and let them cool completely to room temperature before cutting into squares to serve. This ensures the bars hold their shape and the caramel sets nicely.

Notes

  • Use room temperature ingredients for easier mixing and smoother dough.
  • Ensure wrapped caramels are unwrapped before melting to avoid any wrappers melting into the sauce.
  • If the caramel sauce is too thick, add a splash more evaporated milk to thin it out.
  • Store bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or refrigerate to extend freshness.
  • For a fudgier texture, try using a mix of semi-sweet and milk chocolate chips.

Nutrition

Keywords: Chocolate Chip Caramel Bars, caramel bars, chocolate chip bars, baked caramel bars, dessert bars, cookie bars, caramel chocolate dessert

Find it online: https://cheflenacooks.com/chocolate-chip-caramel-bars-recipe/