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Gooey Caramel Chocolate Chip Bars

Gooey Caramel Chocolate Chip Bars
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Gooey Caramel Chocolate Chip Bars are a decadent dessert combining a buttery, tender base with melty chocolate chips and pockets of sweet, gooey caramel. Perfectly balanced with a soft texture and rich flavor, these bars are simple to make using pantry staples and ideal for sharing at parties, holidays, or any occasion.

Ingredients

Scale

Dry Ingredients

  • 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder

Wet Ingredients

  • ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
  • ½ cup granulated sugar
  • ½ cup brown sugar, packed
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Add-ins

  • 1 cup chocolate chips (milk, dark, or white chocolate as preferred)
  • ¾ cup caramel pieces or soft caramel candies, chopped if large

Instructions

  1. Prepare Your Pan and Ingredients: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8×8 inch square baking pan with parchment paper or lightly grease it to prevent sticking. Measure and set aside all ingredients to streamline the baking process.
  2. Mix the Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar using a hand or stand mixer until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs one at a time, followed by the vanilla extract, ensuring everything is well combined to create a smooth base.
  3. Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour and baking powder. Gradually add these dry ingredients to the wet mixture, folding gently until just combined to avoid overmixing which can lead to tough bars.
  4. Fold in Chocolate and Caramel: Carefully fold in the chocolate chips and caramel pieces, distributing them evenly throughout the batter so each bar will have delicious pockets of gooey caramel and melted chocolate.
  5. Bake Until Golden and Gooey: Pour the batter into the prepared pan and spread evenly using a spatula. Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, until the edges are golden and the center is still slightly soft to maintain gooeyness.
  6. Cool and Slice: Allow the bars to cool in the pan for at least 20 minutes. This resting time helps the caramel set without losing its melt-in-the-mouth texture. After cooling, slice into squares and serve.

Notes

  • Use soft caramel pieces or chopped soft caramel candies for the best gooey pockets.
  • Do not overbake; pull the bars out when edges turn light golden but centers remain slightly soft.
  • Use room temperature butter to blend ingredients smoothly without a greasy batter.
  • Spread the batter evenly in the pan to ensure uniform baking and avoid dense spots.
  • Cool the bars completely in the pan before slicing to prevent crumbling and maintain chewy texture.
  • Optional: Sprinkle flaky sea salt on top after baking for a salted caramel twist.
  • Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for longer freshness.
  • To reheat and restore gooeyness, warm bars in the microwave for 10-20 seconds or in a 300°F (150°C) oven for 5-7 minutes.

Nutrition

Keywords: caramel bars, chocolate chip bars, gooey caramel dessert, caramel chocolate dessert, easy dessert bars, buttery dessert

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