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Gooey Caramel Chocolate Chip Bars

Gooey Caramel Chocolate Chip Bars

Gooey Caramel Chocolate Chip Bars are a rich and indulgent dessert featuring soft, chewy bars loaded with pockets of melted chocolate and luscious caramel. Perfect for any occasion, these bars combine a buttery base with the perfect balance of sweetness and gooey texture, easy to make with simple pantry staples.

  • Total Time: 40-45 minutes
  • Yield: 16 bars 1x

Ingredients

Scale

Dry Ingredients

  • 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon salt

Wet Ingredients

  • 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • ¾ cup brown sugar, packed
  • ½ cup granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Add-ins

  • 1 ½ cups chocolate chips (semi-sweet recommended)
  • ½ cup caramel sauce or soft caramel bits

Instructions

  1. Prepare Your Ingredients: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line an 8×8 inch baking pan with parchment paper for easy removal. Measure out all your ingredients for a smooth baking experience.
  2. Mix the Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, beat the softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until creamy and slightly fluffy. Add eggs and vanilla extract, then mix until fully combined and smooth.
  3. Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring until just combined to keep the bars tender. Avoid overmixing.
  4. Fold in Chocolate Chips and Caramel: Gently fold in most of the chocolate chips, reserving a handful to sprinkle on top later. Swirl in the caramel sauce or evenly sprinkle caramel bits throughout the batter to create gooey pockets of sweetness.
  5. Bake the Bars: Pour the batter into the prepared pan and spread evenly. Sprinkle the reserved chocolate chips on top for a melty, attractive finish. Bake for 25–30 minutes or until the edges are golden but the center is still soft and slightly underbaked to maintain gooey texture.
  6. Cool and Slice: Allow the bars to cool in the pan for at least 20 minutes before slicing. This cooling time helps the caramel set just enough without losing the gooey charm.

Notes

  • Use room temperature butter and eggs for smoother batter and better texture.
  • Do not overbake; remove bars when the center is slightly underdone to maintain gooeyness.
  • Gently swirl caramel instead of fully mixing to create pockets of caramel.
  • Choose high-quality caramel sauce or make your own for enhanced flavor.
  • Line your pan with parchment paper for easier removal and clean edges.
  • Author: Lina
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 25-30 minutes
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American
  • Diet: Gluten Free (with gluten-free flour blend substitution)

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 bar
  • Calories: 250
  • Sugar: 18g
  • Sodium: 120mg
  • Fat: 14g
  • Saturated Fat: 8g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 5g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 28g
  • Fiber: 1g
  • Protein: 3g
  • Cholesterol: 40mg

Keywords: caramel bars, chocolate chip bars, gooey dessert, easy baking recipe, caramel chocolate bars, chewy bars, homemade sweets