Salted Caramel Chocolate Chip Oat Cookie Bars: A Decadent Treat

If you’re a fan of rich, gooey, and indulgent desserts, these Salted Caramel Chocolate Chip Oat Cookie Bars are going to be your new favorite. They combine the best of both worlds: a chewy, chocolate-filled oatmeal cookie base, a layer of homemade salted caramel, and a crunchy, nutty topping. Each bite offers the perfect balance of sweet and salty, with a satisfying texture that’s impossible to resist. These bars are perfect for sharing (or keeping all to yourself)!

Ingredients:

For the Homemade Salted Caramel:

• ¾ cup (150g) granulated sugar
• ¼ cup + 2 tbsp (90g) water
• 4 ½ tbsp unsalted butter, sliced
• ¼ cup + 2 tbsp (100g) heavy cream, room temperature
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• Hefty pinch of kosher salt
• 7 tbsp (60g) all-purpose flour

For the Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough:

• 1 cup (95g) quick oats
• 1 ¼ cup (165g) all-purpose flour
• ½ tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp kosher salt
• ½ cup (110g) unsalted butter, room temperature
• 1 cup (210g) dark brown sugar, packed
• 1 large egg + 1 egg yolk
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• ½ cup (85g) semisweet chocolate chips
• ¾ cup (130g) dark chocolate chips
• ¾ cup (95g) walnuts or pecans, finely chopped
• Flaky sea salt, for sprinkling

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Directions:

1. Make the Salted Caramel:

• Prepare all the ingredients for the caramel ahead of time, ensuring the heavy cream is at room temperature.
• In a heavy-bottomed saucepan, combine ¾ cup sugar and ¼ cup + 2 tbsp water, stirring gently to mix. Avoid splashing sugar onto the sides of the pot.
• Heat the mixture over medium heat without stirring. Once it turns clear and begins bubbling, monitor closely as it changes from clear to golden, and finally to a deep amber color.
• Once the sugar reaches a rich amber hue, remove the saucepan from heat immediately and whisk in the 4 ½ tbsp butter.
• Slowly whisk in the ¼ cup + 2 tbsp heavy cream until the caramel is smooth, followed by the 1 tsp vanilla extract and kosher salt.
• Return the caramel to medium heat for 2 minutes, then whisk in the 7 tbsp flour to thicken slightly. Set the caramel aside to cool.

2. Prepare the Cookie Dough:

• Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line an 8×8-inch baking dish with parchment paper, greasing the sides.
• In a medium bowl, whisk together the 1 cup quick oats, 1 ¼ cup all-purpose flour, ½ tsp baking powder, and ½ tsp kosher salt.
• In a separate large bowl, cream together the ½ cup butter and 1 cup dark brown sugar until smooth and fluffy.
• Add the egg, egg yolk, and 2 tsp vanilla extract to the butter-sugar mixture and beat until well combined.
• Gradually mix in the dry ingredients, then fold in the ½ cup semisweet chocolate chips.

3. Assemble the Bars:

• Spread ⅔ of the cookie dough evenly across the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
• Sprinkle the chopped ¾ cup walnuts or pecans over the dough, then bake for 8 minutes. While baking, place the remaining dough in the refrigerator to chill.
• After 8 minutes, remove the dish from the oven and sprinkle an even layer of ¾ cup dark chocolate chips over the crust.
• Pour the prepared salted caramel over the chocolate chips in an even layer.
• Drop random blobs of the chilled cookie dough on top of the caramel, allowing some of the caramel to peek through.

4. Bake and Cool:

• Bake the bars for 20-25 minutes or until the top is lightly golden and the caramel is bubbling around the edges.
• Allow the bars to cool at room temperature for 30 minutes, then transfer to the refrigerator to chill for at least 1 hour to fully set.
• Before serving, sprinkle the bars with flaky sea salt for an extra layer of flavor.

5. Slice and Serve:

• Once the bars are fully cooled and set, use a knife to release them from the sides of the baking dish if necessary.
• Slice the bars into 12 squares and enjoy!

Recipe Tips:

• Make-Ahead Caramel: You can make the salted caramel a day in advance and store it in the fridge. Just warm it slightly before using in the recipe.
• Chilled Dough: Chilling the remaining cookie dough ensures that it holds its shape when placed over the caramel, giving the bars a nice texture.
• Nuts: If you’re not a fan of walnuts or pecans, feel free to substitute them with your favorite nuts or omit them altogether for a nut-free version.

Recipe Information:

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cooking Time: 33 minutes
• Total Time: 1 hour 53 minutes
• Calories: 370 kcal per bar
• Servings: 12 bars

These Salted Caramel Chocolate Chip Oat Cookie Bars are the ultimate indulgence for caramel lovers. With layers of rich chocolate, buttery cookie dough, and a gooey salted caramel center, they offer a satisfying balance of textures and flavors. Whether you’re serving them at a party, gifting them to friends, or simply treating yourself, these bars are bound to become a new favorite!

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