Sweet meets salty in these decadent Salted Caramel Chocolate Sugar Cookie Bars! A buttery sugar cookie base, luscious caramel filling, and rich chocolate topping come together with a perfect sprinkle of sea salt. Soft, chewy, and irresistibly delicious—your new favorite treat!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Soft, chewy chocolate cookie bars with a rich texture
- Topped with a luscious salted caramel frosting
- The perfect balance of sweet and salty flavors
- Easy to make with simple ingredients
- Great for parties, holidays, or anytime treats
- Customizable with different toppings or mix-ins
- A unique twist on traditional sugar cookies
Ingredients
For the Cookie Bars:
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- ½ cup brown sugar
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons caramel coffee creamer (or milk)
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- ½ cup dark cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
For the Salted Caramel Frosting:
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- ¼ cup caramel sauce
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1-2 tablespoons heavy cream (as needed for consistency)
- Coarse sea salt, for sprinkling
Directions
1. Prepare the Cookie Bars:
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking pan or line it with parchment paper.
- In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add the egg, vanilla extract, and caramel coffee creamer (or milk) to the butter-sugar mixture, beating until well combined.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, dark cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing until a soft dough forms.
- Press the dough evenly into the prepared baking pan.
- Bake for 14-15 minutes, or until the edges are set. Do not overbake.
- Remove from the oven and allow the cookie bars to cool completely in the pan.
2. Prepare the Salted Caramel Frosting:
- In a medium bowl, beat the softened butter until creamy.
- Add the caramel sauce and vanilla extract, mixing until smooth.
- Gradually add the powdered sugar, one cup at a time, beating well after each addition.
- If the frosting is too thick, add heavy cream, one tablespoon at a time, until the desired consistency is reached.
3. Assemble the Bars:
- Once the cookie bars have cooled completely, spread the salted caramel frosting evenly over the top.
- Sprinkle coarse sea salt over the frosting to enhance the salted caramel flavor.
- Cut into 24 squares and serve.
Servings and Timing
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cooking Time: 14-15 minutes
- Total Time: 29-30 minutes
- Servings: 24 bars
- Calories per serving: Approximately 132 kcal
Variations
- Nutty Crunch: Add chopped pecans or walnuts to the cookie dough for extra texture.
- Extra Chocolatey: Stir in chocolate chips or drizzle melted chocolate on top.
- Espresso Boost: Add 1 teaspoon of instant espresso powder to the dough for a mocha twist.
- Gluten-Free Option: Use a gluten-free flour blend instead of all-purpose flour.
- Dairy-Free Alternative: Substitute plant-based butter and coconut cream for a dairy-free version.
Storage/Reheating
- Room Temperature: Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Refrigeration: Keep in the fridge for up to a week for a firmer texture.
- Freezing: Freeze unfrosted cookie bars for up to 3 months. Thaw and frost before serving.
- Reheating: Microwave for a few seconds if you prefer a warm, gooey texture.
FAQs
Can I use regular cocoa powder instead of dark cocoa powder?
Yes, but dark cocoa powder gives a richer, deeper chocolate flavor.
Can I make the frosting in advance?
Yes! Store it in the fridge for up to 3 days and let it soften before spreading.
Can I double the recipe?
Absolutely! Use a larger baking pan or make two separate batches.
What if I don’t have caramel coffee creamer?
You can substitute it with regular milk or heavy cream.
How do I make the frosting less sweet?
Reduce the powdered sugar slightly and add an extra splash of heavy cream.
Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted?
Yes, but reduce the added salt in the recipe to balance the flavors.
What’s the best way to cut these bars cleanly?
Use a sharp knife and wipe it clean between cuts for perfect squares.
Can I make these cookie bars thicker?
Yes! Use a smaller pan, like 9×9 inches, but increase baking time slightly.
Do I need to refrigerate these bars?
No, but refrigerating them gives a firmer texture and extends their freshness.
Can I add a caramel drizzle on top?
Yes! Drizzle extra caramel sauce for an extra indulgent touch.
Conclusion
Salted Caramel Chocolate Sugar Cookie Bars offer a perfect blend of chewy chocolate goodness and creamy caramel frosting. Whether you’re making them for a holiday gathering, a party, or just as a sweet treat for yourself, these bars are sure to impress. Try them today and enjoy the irresistible balance of sweet and salty flavors!
Print
Salted Caramel Chocolate Sugar Cookie Bars
- Total Time: 29-30 minutes
- Yield: 24 bars 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Soft, chewy chocolate sugar cookie bars topped with rich salted caramel frosting! These easy bars perfectly balance sweet and salty flavors.
Ingredients
For the Cookie Bars:
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- ½ cup brown sugar
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons caramel coffee creamer (or milk)
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- ½ cup dark cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
For the Salted Caramel Frosting:
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- ¼ cup caramel sauce
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1–2 tablespoons heavy cream (as needed)
- Coarse sea salt, for sprinkling
Instructions
Prepare the Cookie Bars:
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease or line a 9×13-inch baking pan.
- Cream butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until fluffy.
- Add egg, vanilla, and caramel coffee creamer (or milk), mixing well.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt.
- Gradually mix dry ingredients into wet ingredients until a soft dough forms.
- Press dough evenly into the pan and bake for 14-15 minutes.
- Let cool completely in the pan.
Prepare the Salted Caramel Frosting:
- Beat butter until creamy, then mix in caramel sauce and vanilla.
- Gradually add powdered sugar, beating after each addition.
- If frosting is too thick, add heavy cream until smooth.
Assemble the Bars:
- Spread frosting over cooled cookie bars.
- Sprinkle with coarse sea salt for extra flavor.
- Cut into 24 squares and serve.
Notes
- Do not overbake to keep the bars soft.
- For extra caramel flavor, drizzle additional caramel sauce on top.
- Store in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 14-15 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American