Salted Caramel Chocolate Chip Oat Cookie Bars: The Ultimate Indulgence

If there’s one thing that everyone can agree on, it’s the irresistible combination of salted caramel, chocolate chips, and oatmeal. Whether you’re in the mood for something decadent for dessert or you’re simply looking for a treat that everyone will love, Salted Caramel Chocolate Chip Oat Cookie Bars have got you covered. These cookie bars are a celebration of textures and flavors: a soft, chewy oatmeal chocolate chip crust, a gooey homemade salted caramel center, rich dark chocolate, and the added crunch of toasted nuts.

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With their perfectly balanced sweet and salty flavor, these bars are sure to be a crowd-pleaser. And with a generous sprinkle of flaky sea salt on top, every bite delivers a savory-sweet experience that makes them completely addictive. The recipe might look involved, but every step is worth it. This treat combines the comforts of an oatmeal cookie with the indulgence of a decadent salted caramel layer—making these bars an absolute game-changer for anyone with a sweet tooth.

Ingredients Breakdown

For the Homemade Salted Caramel

• Granulated sugar (¾ cup / 150g): The base for your caramel, sugar is heated to create a rich, amber-colored syrup.
• Water (¼ cup + 2 tbsp / 90g): Helps dissolve the sugar and gives it the right consistency.
• Unsalted butter (4½ tbsp): Adds richness and smooth texture to the caramel.
• Heavy cream (¼ cup + 2 tbsp / 100g): Room temperature cream that creates the gooey, smooth consistency.
• Vanilla extract (1 tsp): Provides a depth of flavor, complementing the caramel.
• Kosher salt (pinch): This is where the magic of salted caramel happens, balancing out the sweetness.

For the Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough

• Quick oats (1 cup / 95g): These oats give the bars their chewy, comforting base and create a hearty texture.
• All-purpose flour (1¼ cups / 165g): Provides structure to the cookie dough.
• Baking powder (½ tsp): Helps the dough rise slightly as it bakes.
• Kosher salt (½ tsp): Enhances the flavor of the dough and balances the sweetness.
• Unsalted butter (½ cup / 110g): Softened butter for richness and flavor.
• Dark brown sugar (1 cup / 210g): Packed dark brown sugar creates a caramel-like flavor that complements the salted caramel.
• Egg + egg yolk (1 large + 1 yolk): These provide structure and richness to the dough.
• Vanilla extract (2 tsp): Infuses the dough with a warm, aromatic sweetness.
• Semisweet chocolate chips (½ cup / 85g): Provides a sweet chocolate flavor that contrasts the dark chocolate.
• Dark chocolate chips (¾ cup / 130g): Adds depth with a richer, more intense chocolate flavor.
• Chopped walnuts or pecans (¾ cup / 95g): Adds a crunchy texture that complements the chewy cookie dough.
• Flaky sea salt: For sprinkling on top, bringing out the salted caramel’s rich flavor.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Making the Salted Caramel

The first step in creating these divine cookie bars is to make the salted caramel. Although it might seem intimidating, the process is relatively simple. Here’s how you do it:

1. Prepare the ingredients: Before starting the caramel, make sure that the heavy cream is at room temperature. This is crucial because cold cream can cause the caramel to seize up. If your cream is cold, just microwave it for a few seconds to bring it up to room temperature.
2. Cook the sugar: In a heavy-bottomed saucepan, combine the granulated sugar and water. Stir gently to make sure the sugar is evenly mixed into the water. Place the pan over medium heat. Let the sugar dissolve naturally—don’t stir it after this point, or it could crystalize.
3. Monitor the caramelization process: As the sugar mixture heats, it will first turn clear, then bubble. Watch carefully as it transitions to a light golden color, then finally to a rich amber hue. At this point, the sugar is perfectly caramelized.
4. Whisk in the butter: Remove the pan from the heat and immediately whisk in the sliced butter. The butter will melt into the caramel, making it rich and smooth.
5. Add the cream: While whisking, slowly pour in the room-temperature heavy cream. Be careful, as it may bubble up. Stir until smooth.
6. Finish the caramel: Once the caramel is smooth, whisk in the vanilla extract and kosher salt. Return the mixture to the stove and let it bubble for an additional 2 minutes to thicken slightly.
7. Add the flour: Finally, whisk in the flour. This will help thicken the caramel to the perfect consistency. Set the caramel aside to cool while you prepare the cookie dough.

Making the Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough

While your salted caramel cools, it’s time to prepare the cookie dough.

1. Preheat the oven and prepare the baking dish: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line an 8×8-inch baking dish with parchment paper, ensuring all sides are lined for easy removal.
2. Prepare the dry ingredients: In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together the oats, all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
3. Mix the wet ingredients: In a large bowl, use a hand mixer or a wooden spoon to cream the softened butter and dark brown sugar together until smooth and well-combined.
4. Add the eggs and vanilla: Beat in the egg, egg yolk, and vanilla extract, mixing until everything is fully incorporated.
5. Combine the wet and dry ingredients: Slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, stirring until combined. Once the dough starts to come together, fold in the semisweet chocolate chips.
6. Chill the dough: Refrigerate about one-third of the dough for later use. The remaining dough will be spread in the baking dish.

Assembling the Bars

1. Create the base layer: Spread two-thirds of the cookie dough evenly in the prepared baking dish, pressing it down to form a solid base layer.
2. Add the nuts: Sprinkle the finely chopped walnuts or pecans over the cookie dough base. Toasted nuts add a delightful crunch and an extra layer of flavor to the bars.
3. Bake the base layer: Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 8 minutes. This will allow the cookie dough to set but remain soft.
4. Add chocolate chips: After the base layer is baked, remove it from the oven and sprinkle the dark chocolate chips evenly over the top.
5. Pour the salted caramel: Pour the cooled salted caramel over the chocolate chips, spreading it out evenly with a spoon.
6. Top with cookie dough: Take the refrigerated dough and dollop spoonfuls over the caramel layer. It doesn’t need to be a perfect layer—just random blobs of dough will do.
7. Bake the bars: Return the pan to the oven and bake for 20 to 25 minutes. The bars are done when they’re lightly golden on top, but still a little soft in the center.
8. Cool and chill: Let the bars cool for about 30 minutes at room temperature. Then, transfer them to the fridge and chill for at least 1 hour to firm up the caramel and cookie layers.
9. Cut and serve: Once the bars have chilled, lift them out of the pan using the parchment paper. Slice into 16 even squares. Before serving, sprinkle with flaky sea salt to enhance the flavor and give a nice contrast to the sweetness.

Tips for Success

• Room temperature ingredients: Ensure that your butter and cream are at room temperature before beginning. This ensures smooth mixing and prevents the caramel from seizing.
• Don’t rush the caramel: Caramel can be tricky to make, but don’t rush the process. Allow the sugar to caramelize slowly, watching carefully as it turns amber.
• Chill the dough: Refrigerating some of the cookie dough ensures that the bars have the right texture. You want a soft cookie crust, not a runny one.
• Use quality chocolate: Since the chocolate is a key flavor component, use high-quality chocolate chips or even chop up a good bar of chocolate for the filling.

Serving Suggestions

• With a Scoop of Ice Cream: For an even more indulgent treat, serve these cookie bars with a scoop of vanilla or salted caramel ice cream.
• Pair with Coffee or Hot Cocoa: These bars are the perfect companion to a warm beverage. The caramel flavor pairs wonderfully with coffee or hot cocoa.
• For a Party: Cut the bars into smaller pieces for a bite-sized treat that’s perfect for a party or gathering. Their rich, layered texture will have everyone coming back for more!

Conclusion

Salted Caramel Chocolate Chip Oat Cookie Bars are the perfect treat for those who love a balance of textures and flavors in their desserts. The combination of chewy oatmeal cookie dough, gooey homemade caramel, and rich chocolate is absolutely irresistible, while the sea salt topping adds that perfect finishing touch. Whether you’re making them for a special occasion or just as a sweet snack, these bars are sure to delight everyone who tries them.

With a few simple steps and a little patience, you can create a dessert that’s as impressive as it is delicious. Try them out the next time you want to impress your guests or indulge in a treat that combines the best of sweet and salty!