Gooey Chocolate Caramel Bars Recipe

Introduction

These Gooey Chocolate Caramel Bars combine rich chocolate, sweet caramel, and a touch of salt for a decadent treat. Perfectly chewy with melting pockets of caramel, they satisfy any sweet craving. Whether thick or thin, they’re sure to become a favorite.

Ingredients

• 1 cup butter
• ¾ cup granulated sugar
• ¾ cup light brown sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 tablespoons cocoa powder
• 2¼ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 cups milk chocolate chips
• 1 cup caramel bits
• 2 teaspoons instant coffee
• ½ teaspoon coarse sea salt

Instructions

1. Step 1: Heat the oven to 350°F and spray your baking pan with oil. Use an 8.5×11″ pan for thick bars, an 11×13″ pan for classic chewy bars, or a 13×17″ pan for crispier edges.
2. Step 2: Beat the softened butter with granulated and brown sugars until fluffy and pale, about 2 minutes. Add vanilla extract and cocoa powder, mixing until smooth and chocolate-scented.
3. Step 3: Beat in eggs one at a time until the mixture is glossy and well combined, scraping down the bowl as needed.
4. Step 4: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt until evenly combined.
5. Step 5: Gently add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring just until the flour streaks disappear—avoid overmixing to keep bars tender.
6. Step 6: Fold in the chocolate chips and caramel bits evenly. To make mocha bars, add instant coffee granules with the cocoa powder in step 2.
7. Step 7: Press the batter evenly into the prepared pan. For a salted caramel version, sprinkle the coarse sea salt over the top before baking.
8. Step 8: Bake for 20-25 minutes until edges are set and the center jiggles slightly. Thicker bars may need 5-7 minutes more; thinner bars can be checked around 18 minutes.
9. Step 9: Let the bars cool completely in the pan on a wire rack before cutting. Drizzle with chocolate or caramel syrup for an extra special touch.

Tips & Variations

• Use a pan size that suits your texture preference—from thick and gooey to thin and crispy.
• Add instant coffee with cocoa powder to introduce a subtle mocha flavor.
• Swap milk chocolate chips for dark or white chocolate to change the flavor profile.
• Top bars with a sprinkle of flaky sea salt for a perfect sweet-salty balance.

Storage

Store the bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days. For longer storage, refrigerate for up to a week or freeze for up to 3 months. Reheat briefly in the microwave to restore gooeyness.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted?

Yes, but reduce or omit the added salt in the recipe to avoid over-salting your bars.

How do I know when the bars are done baking?

The edges should look set and slightly browned, while the center should still jiggle a little. This ensures a soft, gooey texture when cooled.

Gooey Chocolate Caramel Bars Recipe

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4.6 from 103 reviews

Indulge in these Gooey Chocolate Caramel Bars featuring a rich cocoa-infused base loaded with milk chocolate chips and luscious caramel bits, finished with a sprinkle of coarse sea salt for the perfect balance of sweet and salty. Whether you prefer thick, chewy, or crispy bars, this versatile recipe lets you choose your pan size for your ideal gooey treat.

• Author: lucas
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 25-32 minutes
• Total Time: 40-47 minutes
• Yield: 16–24 bars depending on pan size 1x
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Wet Ingredients

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

Dry Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons cocoa powder
• 2¼ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 teaspoons instant coffee (optional, for mocha flavor)

Add-ins

• 2 cups milk chocolate chips
• 1 cup caramel bits
• ½ teaspoon coarse sea salt (for sprinkling on top)

Instructions

1. Prep your pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease your chosen baking pan with oil. Use an 8.5×11 inch pan for thick gooey bars, an 11×13 inch pan for classic chewy texture, or a 13×17 inch pan for crispy edges.
2. Cream the base: In a large bowl, beat softened butter with granulated and brown sugars until the mixture is fluffy and pale, about 2 minutes. Add vanilla extract and cocoa powder, mixing well until smooth and chocolate-scented.
3. Add the eggs: Beat in eggs one at a time, ensuring each is fully incorporated. Scrape the sides of the bowl as needed. The mixture should become glossy and well combined.
4. Mix dry ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, salt, and instant coffee granules if using, until evenly combined.
5. Combine gently: Add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture. Stir gently just until the flour streaks disappear—avoid overmixing to prevent tough bars.
6. Fold in goodies: Fold in the milk chocolate chips and caramel bits evenly throughout the batter.
7. Spread and sprinkle: Press the batter evenly into the prepared pan. For a salted caramel touch, sprinkle the coarse sea salt over the top before baking.
8. Bake to perfection: Bake for 20-25 minutes until the edges are set and the center jiggles slightly. Adjust baking time based on pan size: thick bars need an additional 5-7 minutes, thin bars may be done around 18 minutes.
9. Cool completely: Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack before cutting. For a coffee shop flair, drizzle with chocolate or caramel syrup before serving.

Notes

• Choose your pan size based on desired bar thickness and texture: smaller pan for gooey, larger for crispy edges.
• Instant coffee granules enhance the chocolate flavor and create mocha bars when added with cocoa powder.
• Do not overmix batter after adding flour to ensure tender bars.
• Allow bars to cool fully for clean cutting and optimal gooey texture.
• Optional toppings like drizzled chocolate or caramel syrup add a decadent finishing touch.

Keywords: chocolate caramel bars, gooey chocolate bars, caramel dessert, chocolate chip bars, easy baked bars, mocha chocolate bars, salted caramel