Description
Sweet layers of caramel and chocolate collide in these irresistible chocolate chip caramel bars, creating a sinful dessert that melts hearts. Rich, gooey goodness promises pure indulgence with each delectable bite you’ll savor.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 2 cups (480 milliliters) all-purpose flour
- 1 cup (227 grams) unsalted butter, softened
- 2 cups (340 grams) semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1 cup (240 milliliters) caramel sauce
Sweeteners and Binding Agents:
- 1 cup (220 grams) brown sugar, packed
- ½ cup (100 grams) granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- ¼ cup (60 milliliters) heavy cream
Leavening and Seasoning:
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- Optional: sea salt flakes, for garnish
Instructions
- Warm the kitchen oven to 350F (175C), ensuring the rack is positioned in the center. Prepare a 9-inch baking pan by coating it with culinary grease or layering with parchment paper to facilitate effortless bar removal.
- Sift flour, baking powder, and salt together in a compact mixing vessel, creating a uniform dry mixture. Reserve this blend to the side.
- Utilize an electric mixer to whip butter and brown sugar until achieving a light, aerated consistency. Introduce egg and vanilla extract, blending thoroughly until the mixture transforms into a smooth, homogeneous texture.
- Gradually incorporate the reserved dry ingredients into the creamy mixture, stirring with deliberate movements. The developing dough should exhibit a soft, slightly tacky characteristic.
- Gently fold chocolate chips throughout the dough, distributing them evenly. Artfully drizzle caramel components across the mixture, allowing for random pockets of sweet complexity.
- Transfer the prepared dough into the readied baking pan, using a spatula to create an even, consistent layer. Position in the preheated oven and bake for approximately 22-24 minutes, monitoring until the surface achieves a golden-amber hue and a testing skewer emerges with minimal crumbly evidence.
- Extract from the oven and permit complete cooling within the pan. Once temperature stabilizes, slice into uniform squares. Optional: Enhance with a delicate sprinkle of sea salt to elevate the flavor profile.
Notes
- Customize the caramel intensity by swirling more or less caramel sauce into the dough for personalized sweetness levels.
- Experiment with different chocolate chip varieties like dark, milk, or white chocolate to create unique flavor profiles.
- For gluten-free options, swap regular flour with almond or coconut flour and ensure all other ingredients are gluten-free certified.
- Enhance texture by slightly underbaking the bars, creating a gooey center that melts in your mouth and provides a rich, decadent experience.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 16
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 22 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 11 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 43 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 50 mg