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Stacked salted caramel chocolate chip cookie bars with a chewy golden cookie base, melted chocolate chips, gooey caramel drizzle, and flaky sea salt on top.

Salted Caramel Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars

Chewy chocolate chip cookie bars topped with glossy homemade salted caramel and a sprinkle of flaky sea salt. Bakery-quality, dangerously delicious, and perfect for potlucks or keeping all to yourself.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 45 minutes
Servings: 18 bars
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cup unsalted butter softened
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 cup light brown sugar packed
  • 2 large eggs
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 2½ cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 2 cups chocolate chips
  • Salted Caramel:
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 6 tablespoons butter cubed
  • ½ cup heavy cream
  • 1 teaspoon sea salt plus extra flaky sea salt for topping

Equipment

  • 9x13-inch pan, parchment paper, heavy saucepan

Method
 

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a 9x13-inch pan with parchment.
  2. Cream butter and both sugars until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs and vanilla.
  3. Mix in flour, baking soda, and salt until just combined. Fold in chocolate chips.
  4. Press dough into the pan. Bake 22–25 minutes until edges are golden and center is just set.
  5. For caramel: melt sugar in a heavy saucepan over medium heat, stirring, until deep amber. Whisk in butter, then slowly whisk in cream. Stir in sea salt.
  6. Cool bars 10 minutes. Drizzle warm caramel over the top and sprinkle with flaky sea salt.
  7. Cool completely before slicing.

Notes

Do not overbake the bars. Watch the caramel closely so it does not burn. Cool completely for clean cuts. Flaky sea salt elevates the flavor. Excellent for potlucks and gifting. Store airtight. Freezes well. Highly addictive—consider a second pan.