Description
Sweet layers of buttery caramel and rich chocolate meld together in these irresistible chocolate chip caramel bars. Crisp edges and gooey centers promise delightful indulgence that will make dessert lovers swoon and crave another bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
Chocolate and Caramel Ingredients:
- 2 cups chocolate chips
- 1 cup caramel sauce
- 1/2 cup caramel chunks
Wet Ingredients:
- 1 cup unsalted butter
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F and line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper, allowing slight overhang for easy removal.
- Whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt in a medium bowl, creating a uniform dry mixture.
- Cream softened butter and brown sugar in a large mixing bowl until light and fluffy, ensuring no sugar granules remain.
- Incorporate eggs one at a time into the butter mixture, mixing thoroughly after each addition, then blend in vanilla extract.
- Gradually fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring until a smooth, consistent dough forms.
- Reserve approximately 1/3 of the dough for the top layer, pressing the remaining dough evenly into the prepared baking pan.
- Distribute chocolate chips across the base layer, creating an even chocolate foundation.
- Drizzle caramel sauce generously over the chocolate chips, ensuring complete coverage.
- Sprinkle caramel chunks strategically across the caramel sauce layer for added texture.
- Crumble the reserved dough over the caramel layer, creating a rustic, uneven top that allows glimpses of the caramel underneath.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the top turns golden brown and the edges appear slightly crisp.
- Remove from oven and allow to cool completely in the pan before lifting out using parchment paper.
- Slice into squares, serving at room temperature for optimal gooey caramel and chocolate experience.
Notes
- Chill the reserved dough for 15-20 minutes before crumbling to ensure a more defined, crumbly texture on top.
- For a gluten-free version, substitute all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend, maintaining the same measurements.
- Enhance the caramel flavor by using dark brown sugar instead of light brown sugar, which adds deeper, more complex sweetness.
- Prevent caramel from burning by ensuring an even drizzle and avoiding pooling in any single area of the bar.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25-30 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 384
- Sugar: 22g
- Sodium: 120mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 13g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 44g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 50mg