Gooey Chocolate Chip Caramel Bars Recipe: A Sweet Treat

Indulgent chocolate chip caramel bars dance between sweet decadence and pure comfort.

Layers of buttery goodness meld perfectly with gooey caramel and rich chocolate chips.

Baking these treats brings warmth to any kitchen and creates an irresistible aroma.

Each bite promises a symphony of textures that delights the senses.

The simple ingredients transform into a heavenly dessert that beckons everyone to the table.

Craving something extraordinary?

These bars will sweep you off your feet with their irresistible charm and melt-in-your-mouth goodness.

Why Chocolate Chip Caramel Bars Are a Hit

• Crowd-Pleasing Treat: Guaranteed to impress at potlucks, family gatherings, or casual get-togethers with its irresistible chocolate and caramel combination.
• No-Fuss Preparation: Simple mixing technique and straightforward ingredients mean you can have delicious bars ready in just a few easy steps, perfect for satisfying sudden sweet cravings.
• Versatile Dessert Delight: Adaptable for various occasions, from school bake sales to weekend movie nights, these bars are a sure-fire hit for all ages and taste preferences.

What You’ll Need for Chocolate Chip Caramel Bars

• Butter: Creamy and rich foundation for the bars.
• Granulated Sugar: Sweet and essential for texture.
• Brown Sugar: Adds depth and moisture.
• Eggs: Binding agent for the batter.
• Vanilla Extract: Aromatic flavor enhancer.

• All-Purpose Flour: Structural base for the bars.
• Baking Soda: Helps the bars rise and become light.
• Salt: Balances and enhances overall sweetness.

• Chocolate Chips, Caramel Bits: Delicious pockets of gooey sweetness that create irresistible texture.

Directions for Chocolate Chip Caramel Bars

Step 1: Warm Up the Oven

Fire up your oven to a toasty 350°F and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking pan with butter or cooking spray.

Step 2: Whip the Butter and Sweet Crystals

Using an electric mixer, blend the softened butter with white and brown sugars until the mixture becomes fluffy and light, creating a creamy base.

Step 3: Introduce Eggs and Flavor Boost

Crack eggs into the sugar mixture one at a time, beating thoroughly after each addition.

Pour in vanilla extract and mix until everything looks smooth and well-combined.

Step 4: Create Dry Ingredient Blend

• All-purpose flour
• Baking soda
• Salt

Whisk these ingredients until perfectly integrated.

Step 5: Marry Wet and Dry Ingredients

Slowly fold the dry ingredient mixture into the wet ingredients, stirring gently to prevent overmixing.

The goal is a consistent batter without lumps.

Step 6: Sprinkle in Delicious Morsels

• Chocolate chips
• Caramel bits

Ensure they are evenly distributed throughout the batter.

Step 7: Prepare for Baking

Transfer the batter into the greased pan, spreading it evenly with a spatula to create a smooth surface.

Step 8: Bake to Golden Perfection

Slide the pan into the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes.

The bars are done when they turn golden and a toothpick comes out clean.

Step 9: Cool and Slice

Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan before cutting into delectable squares.

Serve and enjoy the rich, gooey goodness!

Recipe Tips for Chocolate Chip Caramel Bars

• Let butter sit at room temperature for 30-45 minutes before creaming to achieve the perfect fluffy texture without melting.
• Stop mixing as soon as dry ingredients are incorporated to maintain a tender, soft bar texture and prevent tough, dense results.
• Sprinkle caramel bits gently and evenly throughout the batter to ensure consistent sweet pockets in every bite.
• Experiment with different chocolate chip varieties like dark, milk, or semi-sweet to personalize the flavor profile and match your taste preferences.
• Use parchment paper with overhanging edges for easy removal and clean cutting of bars, preventing sticking and ensuring perfect square shapes.

Save and Reheat Chocolate Chip Caramel Bars

• Store cooled chocolate chip caramel bars in an airtight container within the refrigerator for up to 5 days, keeping them fresh and maintaining their delightful texture.
• Wrap individual bars tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container or ziplock bag to preserve for 2-3 months, ensuring maximum flavor preservation.
• If consuming within 2 days, keep bars in a sealed container at room temperature, away from direct sunlight or heat sources to prevent texture changes.
• Warm refrigerated or frozen bars in the microwave for 10-15 seconds or in a preheated oven at 350°F for 3-5 minutes to restore their soft, gooey consistency.

Pairing Suggestions for Chocolate Chip Caramel Bars

• Pair with Creamy Vanilla Ice Cream: The cold, smooth vanilla ice cream perfectly complements the warm, rich chocolate chip caramel bars, creating a delightful temperature and flavor contrast that melts in your mouth.
• Sip Salted Caramel Latte: A warm, frothy salted caramel latte enhances the caramel notes in the bars, with its sweet and slightly salty profile balancing the dessert's rich chocolate and caramel flavors.
• Match with Espresso Martini: The bold, slightly bitter espresso martini cuts through the sweetness of the bars, providing a sophisticated adult beverage that elevates the dessert's complex flavor profile.
• Enjoy with Cold Milk: A classic glass of cold milk offers a simple, refreshing counterpoint to the sweet, gooey bars, creating a nostalgic and comforting dessert experience that brings out the chocolate's rich taste.

Fun Styles for Chocolate Chip Caramel Bars

• Gluten-Free Chocolate Chip Caramel Bars: Replace wheat flour with almond or coconut flour for a celiac-friendly version that maintains the rich, sweet flavor profile.
• Vegan Chocolate Chip Caramel Bars: Substitute butter with coconut oil, use flax eggs instead of regular eggs, and select dairy-free chocolate chips to create a plant-based treat.
• Low-Sugar Chocolate Chip Caramel Bars: Use monk fruit sweetener or stevia in place of granulated sugar, and choose sugar-free caramel bits to reduce overall sugar content while keeping the dessert delicious.
• Nutty Chocolate Chip Caramel Bars: Add chopped pecans or walnuts to the batter for extra crunch and depth of flavor, creating a more complex texture and nutty undertone.

FAQs

• Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted butter?

Yes, but reduce the added salt in the recipe to prevent the bars from becoming too salty. If using salted butter, use just a tiny pinch of salt or skip it entirely.

• How do I know when the butter and sugar are properly creamed?

The mixture should look light, fluffy, and pale in color. It typically takes about 3-4 minutes of beating with an electric mixer until the texture becomes smooth and slightly increased in volume.

• What if my caramel bits sink to the bottom of the bars?

Toss the caramel bits in a little flour before adding them to the batter. This helps prevent them from sinking and ensures more even distribution throughout the bars.

• Is it okay to use different types of chocolate chips?

Absolutely! You can experiment with milk, dark, or semi-sweet chocolate chips based on your preference. Each type will bring a slightly different flavor profile to the chocolate chip caramel bars.

Chocolate Chip Caramel Bars Recipe

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4.9 from 37 reviews

• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Sweet layers of rich caramel and melted chocolate chips create irresistible chocolate chip caramel bars that promise indulgent comfort. Gooey, golden goodness meets crisp edges in this simple dessert you’ll crave from first delectable bite.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 1 cup caramel bits or chopped caramel candies

Sweeteners:

• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 cup packed brown sugar

Binding and Flavoring Ingredients:

• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt

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Instructions

1. Warm the oven to 350°F and lightly coat a 9×13-inch baking pan with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
2. Using an electric mixer, whip butter with both sugars until the mixture turns pale and develops a fluffy texture.
3. Incorporate eggs individually, ensuring thorough blending after each addition, then mix in vanilla extract for enhanced flavor complexity.
4. In a separate container, sift together flour, baking soda, and salt to eliminate potential lumps and create a uniform dry mixture.
5. Carefully fold dry ingredients into the butter mixture, stirring gently to maintain a smooth consistency without overworking the batter.
6. Delicately integrate chocolate chips and caramel bits throughout the batter, distributing them evenly to guarantee a balanced flavor profile in each bite.
7. Transfer the batter into the prepared pan, using a spatula to spread it uniformly and create an even surface.
8. Position the pan in the preheated oven and bake for approximately 25-30 minutes, watching for a golden-brown color and checking doneness with a toothpick test.
9. Remove from oven and allow the bars to cool completely within the pan to set the texture and enhance structural integrity.
10. Once cooled, slice into neat squares and serve, savoring the rich combination of caramel and chocolate in every decadent morsel.

Notes

• Use room temperature butter and eggs for smoother, more evenly mixed batter that ensures consistent texture.
• Avoid overmixing the dough to prevent tough, dense bars; mix just until ingredients are combined to maintain a tender crumb.
• Line the baking pan with parchment paper for easier removal and clean cutting of bars, allowing you to lift the entire batch out cleanly.
• For gluten-free adaptation, substitute all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend to accommodate dietary restrictions without compromising taste.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 345
• Sugar: 28 g
• Sodium: 80 mg
• Fat: 16 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 50 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 40 mg