Salted Caramel Chocolate Chip Oat Cookie Bars: A Treat Worth Every Bite

There’s something incredibly comforting about a warm dessert with layers of sweet and salty goodness, and these Salted Caramel Chocolate Chip Oat Cookie Bars fit that description perfectly. Combining rich, homemade salted caramel, chewy oatmeal cookie dough, dark chocolate, and toasted nuts, these bars create an explosion of flavors and textures in every bite. The salty-sweet combination, with the perfect balance of gooey caramel and crispy cookie layers, makes these bars an indulgent treat that’s impossible to resist. Whether you’re serving them at a gathering or enjoying them as an after-dinner treat, these bars are guaranteed to impress.

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In this detailed guide, we’ll walk you through the process of creating these delicious cookie bars, including all the essential ingredients, step-by-step instructions, and helpful tips for making the best salted caramel chocolate chip oat cookie bars every time. Whether you’re an experienced baker or someone who enjoys making sweet treats from scratch, this recipe is approachable, rewarding, and perfect for every occasion.

The Ingredients: Building the Perfect Layers

Before you start, it’s important to ensure that you have all the ingredients prepped and ready to go. This recipe involves creating two distinct components: the homemade salted caramel and the oatmeal chocolate chip cookie dough. Each part plays a crucial role in giving the bars their signature flavor and texture.

Homemade Salted Caramel

• Granulated sugar: ¾ cup (150g)
• Water: ¼ cup + 2 tbsp (90g)
• Unsalted butter: 4½ tbsp, sliced
• Heavy cream: ¼ cup + 2 tbsp (100g), room temperature
• Vanilla extract: 1 tsp
• Kosher salt: A hefty pinch
• All-purpose flour: 7 tbsp (60g)

The caramel is the star of this recipe, and while making it from scratch may seem daunting, it’s surprisingly simple. The combination of sugar, butter, and cream results in a rich and gooey caramel that’s smooth, decadent, and just a little bit salty, creating the perfect balance of sweet and savory.

Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough

• Quick oats: 1 cup (95g)
• All-purpose flour: 1¼ cups (165g)
• Baking powder: ½ tsp
• Kosher salt: ½ tsp
• Unsalted butter: ½ cup (110g), softened
• Dark brown sugar: 1 cup (210g), packed
• Eggs: 1 large egg + 1 egg yolk
• Vanilla extract: 2 tsp
• Semisweet chocolate chips: ½ cup (85g)
• Dark chocolate chips: ¾ cup (130g)
• Walnuts or pecans: ¾ cup (95g), finely chopped
• Flaky sea salt: For sprinkling

The oatmeal cookie dough brings a chewy, hearty texture that pairs wonderfully with the silky caramel and chocolate. The addition of both semisweet and dark chocolate chips provides a deep chocolate flavor, while the nuts add crunch and earthiness. The oatmeal base gives these bars a comforting, rustic feel, making them an irresistible combination of flavors and textures.

Step-by-Step Instructions: Creating the Ultimate Dessert Bars

Making the Homemade Salted Caramel

1. Prepare all ingredients: The key to successful caramel is working quickly and efficiently. Be sure to have all the ingredients for the caramel ready to go, as the process moves fast. It’s especially important that your heavy cream is at room temperature. If it’s too cold, it can cause the caramel to seize up, which can ruin the texture.
2. Melt the sugar and water: In a heavy-bottomed saucepan, add the granulated sugar and water. Stir gently to mix, being careful not to allow any sugar to get stuck on the sides of the pot. Place the pan over medium heat and allow the sugar to dissolve on its own. Do not stir once the mixture begins to heat.
3. Caramelize the sugar: Allow the sugar to cook, turning from clear to light golden, and then to a rich amber color. This process can take a few minutes, so be patient. If the sugar is browning unevenly, gently swirl the pan to distribute the heat and color more evenly.
4. Incorporate the butter: Once the sugar has reached a rich amber hue, remove the saucepan from the heat immediately. Add the sliced butter and whisk until it’s fully incorporated into the caramel mixture.
5. Add the cream, vanilla, and salt: Slowly pour in the room-temperature heavy cream while whisking continuously to prevent the caramel from seizing. Once the cream is fully incorporated, add the vanilla extract and kosher salt. Stir until smooth and combined.
6. Thicken with flour: Return the caramel to medium heat and let it bubble for 2 minutes. Then, whisk in the flour to help thicken the caramel. Set the caramel aside to cool slightly while you prepare the cookie dough.

Preparing the Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough

1. Preheat the oven and prepare the baking dish: Preheat your oven to 350°F. Grease and line an 8×8-inch baking dish with parchment paper, ensuring it covers all sides for easy removal later.
2. Combine the dry ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the oats, flour, baking powder, and salt. This will help to evenly distribute the dry ingredients in the dough and prevent any clumping.
3. Cream the butter and sugar: In a large mixing bowl, use a hand mixer or wooden spoon to beat together the softened butter and dark brown sugar. Cream until the mixture is smooth and fluffy.
4. Incorporate the eggs and vanilla: Add the egg, egg yolk, and vanilla extract to the butter-sugar mixture. Beat until everything is fully combined, creating a smooth and creamy dough.
5. Add the dry ingredients and chocolate chips: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture. Mix until just combined. Be careful not to overmix. Once the dough is almost done, fold in the semisweet chocolate chips.

Assembling the Cookie Bars

1. Create the crust layer: Take about ⅔ of the cookie dough and evenly spread it in the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Press it down gently to create an even layer. Top the dough with a layer of finely chopped walnuts or pecans for added crunch and flavor.
2. Partially bake the crust: Bake the dough for 8 minutes, then remove the dish from the oven. This partial bake will help set the crust before adding the caramel and chocolate layers.
3. Layer the chocolate and caramel: After the crust has baked for 8 minutes, sprinkle the dark chocolate chips evenly over the crust. Then, pour the warm salted caramel over the chocolate chips, ensuring it’s evenly distributed. If the caramel has thickened while cooling, you can reheat it briefly to loosen it up.
4. Top with cookie dough: Using the remaining cookie dough, place small blobs of dough randomly on top of the caramel layer. Don’t worry about covering it completely; the blobs will melt and spread as they bake, giving the bars a beautiful, rustic appearance.
5. Finish baking: Place the dish back in the oven and bake for 20–25 minutes or until the top is golden brown. The edges should be slightly crispy, and the caramel should be bubbling around the edges.

Cooling and Serving

1. Cool and chill: Allow the cookie bars to cool at room temperature for about 30 minutes. Once they’ve cooled slightly, place the dish in the refrigerator and chill for at least an hour. Chilling the bars helps them set and makes them easier to slice.
2. Slice and serve: Once the bars have chilled and set, carefully remove them from the pan using the parchment paper. Slice into squares or rectangles, and sprinkle with flaky sea salt to enhance the flavor.

The Flavor and Texture Experience

The beauty of these Salted Caramel Chocolate Chip Oat Cookie Bars is the combination of flavors and textures. The oatmeal cookie base is chewy and hearty, providing the perfect foundation for the gooey caramel and chocolate layers. The caramel is rich and buttery with just the right amount of sweetness, while the dark chocolate chips melt perfectly into the caramel. The addition of walnuts or pecans gives the bars a wonderful crunch, balancing the soft, chewy texture of the dough. The final touch of flaky sea salt ties everything together, providing a subtle contrast to the sweetness of the caramel and chocolate.

Tips for Perfecting the Recipe

• Room temperature ingredients: Make sure your butter and eggs are at room temperature to ensure the dough comes together smoothly. Cold ingredients can cause the dough to be too stiff and may result in uneven baking.
• Customizing the nuts: If you prefer a different nut, you can swap the walnuts or pecans with almonds, hazelnuts, or cashews. Each nut will bring its own unique flavor and texture to the bars.
• Caramel consistency: If your caramel becomes too thick while cooling, gently reheat it until it becomes pourable again. It should have a smooth, flowing consistency when poured over the chocolate layer.
• For a gluten-free option: Substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend. Just make sure the blend includes xanthan gum or another binder to give the bars structure.

Conclusion

These Salted Caramel Chocolate Chip Oat Cookie Bars are the ultimate indulgence for anyone who loves the combination of sweet and salty flavors. With their chewy oatmeal cookie crust, gooey caramel center, and rich chocolate, they are the perfect treat for any occasion. Whether you’re making them for a special event or just to satisfy your own cravings, these bars are sure to impress. The balance of flavors and textures makes them a standout dessert that will keep everyone coming back for more. So, gather your ingredients, follow the steps, and enjoy the process of making and sharing these irresistible bars with friends and family.