Get ready to indulge in a dessert that combines the rich flavors of salted caramel, gooey chocolate, and crunchy pecans in one delightful treat! These Salted Caramel Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars are not just your average cookie; they are a heavenly blend of soft, chewy goodness that will have you reaching for seconds (and thirds!). Perfect for sharing at parties or enjoying as a sweet escape after a long day, these bars are a must-try for any dessert lover. Stick around to discover how to whip up this irresistible recipe that will leave your taste buds dancing and your friends begging for the secret!
Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: 30 mins
Total Time: 45 mins
Cuisine: American
Serves: 16 bars
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 cup chocolate chips
- 1 cup chopped pecans
- Salted caramel sauce for drizzling
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9x13 inch baking pan with parchment paper, allowing excess paper to hang over the sides for easy removal.
- In a large mixing bowl, cream together softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until light and fluffy, using an electric mixer. This should take about 3-4 minutes.
- Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in vanilla extract until fully incorporated.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing on low speed until just combined.
- Fold in chocolate chips and chopped pecans using a spatula, ensuring they are evenly distributed throughout the dough.
- Transfer the cookie dough to the prepared baking pan, spreading it evenly and smoothing the top with a spatula.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with a few moist crumbs.
- Remove from the oven and let cool in the pan for 10 minutes.
- Using the parchment paper overhang, lift the cookie bars out of the pan and transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Once cooled, drizzle generously with salted caramel sauce.
- Cut into 16 equal bars and serve. Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
Tips
- Use Room Temperature Ingredients: Make sure your butter and eggs are at room temperature for a smoother batter and better incorporation of ingredients.
- Don't Overmix: When combining the dry ingredients with the wet mixture, mix just until combined to keep the bars soft and chewy.
- Check for Doneness: Keep an eye on the baking time; every oven is different. Start checking for doneness at the 25-minute mark to avoid overbaking.
- Cool Completely: Allow the cookie bars to cool completely before cutting. This will help them set and make slicing easier.
- Customize Your Toppings: Feel free to get creative with your toppings! Add extra chocolate chips, nuts, or even a sprinkle of sea salt on top of the caramel drizzle for an extra flavor punch.
- Storage: Store the bars in an airtight container at room temperature to maintain their freshness for up to 5 days.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 380kcal
Carbohydrates: 42g
Protein: 4g
Fat: 23g
Saturated Fat: 12g
Cholesterol: 65mg
