Crunchy Salted Caramel Chocolate Chip Oat Cookie Bars Recipe

Decadent and irresistible, these salted caramel chocolate chip oat cookie bars melt hearts with every single bite.

Layers of rich chocolate and gooey caramel create a symphony of sweet and salty flavors that dance across your palate.

Wholesome oats provide a delightful texture that complements the luxurious caramel swirls perfectly.

The recipe strikes a harmonious balance between indulgence and comfort, making it a standout dessert for any occasion.

Simple ingredients come together to craft a treat that looks like it emerged from a professional bakery.

Each bar promises a delightful contrast of crisp edges and soft, chewy centers that will have everyone asking for seconds.

Get ready to become the star baker with this mouthwatering dessert that turns an ordinary moment into a celebration of flavor.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 33 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 53 minutes

Calories: 269 kcal

Servings: 17

Salted Caramel Chocolate Chip Oat Cookie Bars Ingredient List

• Sugar: Transforms into rich, golden nectar that creates deep, complex sweetness.
• Water: Helps sugar dissolve evenly without crystallizing.
• Butter: Adds luxurious richness and smooth texture to caramel.
• Heavy Cream: Brings silky consistency and softens caramel's intense flavor.
• Vanilla: Enhances overall warmth and depth of caramel.
• Kosher Salt: Balances sweetness and adds sophisticated flavor dimension.
• All-Purpose Flour: Helps stabilize and thicken caramel sauce.

• Rolled Oats: Provides hearty texture and nutty undertone.
• All-Purpose Flour: Creates tender, structured cookie foundation.
• Baking Powder: Ensures light, soft cookie texture.
• Kosher Salt: Elevates and balances sweet flavors.
• Unsalted Butter: Delivers rich, creamy base for cookie dough.
• Dark Brown Sugar: Introduces deep molasses notes and moisture.
• Egg: Binds ingredients and adds structure.
• Egg Yolk: Increases richness and creates chewier texture.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds warm, aromatic complexity.

• Semisweet Chocolate Chips: Provides melty, indulgent chocolate bursts.
• Dark Chocolate Chips: Adds intense, slightly bitter chocolate layer.
• Chopped Nuts: Introduces crunchy contrast and earthy flavor.
• Flaky Sea Salt: Creates beautiful flavor contrast and elegant finish.

Tools That Help Bake Salted Caramel Chocolate Chip Oat Cookie Bars

• 8×8-inch baking dish: Essential for creating perfectly sized cookie bars.
• Parchment paper: Helps easily remove bars from the pan without sticking.
• Heavy-bottomed saucepan: Crucial for making smooth, even caramel without burning.
• Large mixing bowl: Used for combining cookie dough ingredients.
• Medium mixing bowl: Needed for preparing dry ingredients.
• Whisk: Perfect for blending caramel and mixing ingredients smoothly.
• Knife: Required for cutting bars into neat squares.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Ensures accurate ingredient quantities.
• Spatula: Helpful for folding chocolate chips and spreading dough evenly.

How to Layer Salted Caramel Chocolate Chip Oat Cookie Bars

• Caramel Magic

Craft a rich amber caramel by gently heating sugar until it transforms into a golden nectar. Introduce butter and cream to create a silky smooth sauce that will make taste buds dance.

• Cookie Dough Foundation

Blend soft butter with dark brown sugar, creating a creamy base that whispers comfort. Fold in oats and chocolate chips, forming a dough that promises indulgence.

• Layer Creation

Press two-thirds of the cookie dough into a baking dish, creating a warm canvas for the upcoming flavor journey. Sprinkle with chopped nuts for a delightful crunch.

• Chocolate and Caramel Symphony

After a quick initial bake, drape the crust with dark chocolate chips and cascade the golden caramel across the surface. Dot the remaining dough playfully on top.

• Baking Transformation

Slide the creation into the oven, allowing heat to meld flavors and transform the raw ingredients into a decadent treat. Bake until edges turn a gentle golden brown.

• Cooling and Revealing

Let the bars rest and cool, allowing flavors to settle and texture to firm. Finish with a delicate sprinkle of sea salt, then slice into squares of pure happiness.

Flavor Tips for Salted Caramel Chocolate Chip Oat Cookie Bars

• Adjust the cooking time of sugar to create lighter or deeper caramel flavors, watching carefully to prevent burning.
• Experiment with milk, dark, or white chocolate chips for different taste profiles and textural experiences.
• Replace regular flour with gluten-free oat flour and all-purpose gluten-free flour blend to accommodate dietary restrictions.
• Substitute chopped nuts with toasted coconut flakes or skip entirely for those with nut allergies.
• Incorporate ground cinnamon, espresso powder, or orange zest into the cookie dough for unexpected depth and complexity.

Serving Ideas for Salted Caramel Chocolate Chip Oat Cookie Bars

• Decadent Dessert Companion: Pair these rich, gooey bars with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream for a luxurious contrast of warm and cold textures that melts deliciously on the tongue.
• Afternoon Tea Delight: Serve alongside a steaming mug of chamomile or earl grey tea, allowing the subtle caramel notes to complement the delicate tea flavors and create a sophisticated snacking experience.
• Holiday Gift Potential: Package these bars in clear cellophane with a festive ribbon, transforming them into a homemade edible gift that showcases your baking skills and spreads sweet joy to friends and family.
• Coffee Shop Inspiration: Place the bars on a rustic wooden board with a small espresso or cappuccino, creating a café-style presentation that elevates the humble cookie bar into a gourmet treat perfect for leisurely moments.

How to Store Salted Caramel Chocolate Chip Oat Cookie Bars

• Smart Portioning: Slice bars into uniform squares for easy grab-and-go treats during busy weeks. Stack them between parchment paper layers to prevent sticking.
• Chilled Shelf Life: Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 5 days, maintaining their rich texture and caramel softness. Keep away from direct sunlight or warm areas.
• Freezer-Friendly Option: Wrap individual bars tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. These decadent treats can last up to 3 months when frozen properly.
• Temperature Transformation: Remove frozen bars 30-45 minutes before serving to allow gentle thawing. Room temperature brings out the deep caramel and chocolate flavors, creating a melt-in-your-mouth experience.

Gooey Salted Caramel Chocolate Chip Oat Cookie Bars

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4.6 from 12 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 53 minutes
• Yield: 17 1x

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Description

Decadent salted caramel chocolate chip oat cookie bars blend rich chocolate with silky caramel for an irresistible dessert. Sweet and salty notes invite you to savor each delightful, indulgent bite.

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Ingredients

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• 1.25 cups (165 grams) all-purpose flour
• 1 cup (95 grams) quick oats
• 1 cup (210 grams) dark brown sugar, packed
• 0.75 cup (130 grams) dark chocolate chips
• 0.5 cup (85 grams) semisweet chocolate chips
• 0.75 cup (95 grams) walnuts or pecans, finely chopped
• 0.5 cup (110 grams) unsalted butter, room temperature
• 1 large egg + 1 egg yolk
• 2 tsps vanilla extract
• 0.5 tsp baking powder
• 0.5 tsp kosher salt
• Flaky sea salt, for sprinkling
• 0.75 cup (150 grams) granulated sugar
• 0.25 cup + 2 tbsps (90 grams) water
• 4.5 tbsps unsalted butter, sliced
• 0.25 cup + 2 tbsps (100 grams) heavy cream, room temperature
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 hefty pinch kosher salt

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Instructions

1. Caramel Preparation: Melt sugar in a saucepan over medium heat, watching closely until it transforms to a rich amber color. Remove from heat and whisk in butter vigorously, then gradually add heavy cream, vanilla, and kosher salt. Return to heat, incorporate flour to stabilize, and set aside to cool.
2. Oven Preparation: Preheat oven to 350°F and line an 8×8-inch pan with parchment paper, ensuring complete coverage with a light grease.
3. Dry Ingredient Blend: Whisk together oats, flour, baking powder, and salt in a mixing bowl to create a uniform dry mixture.
4. Wet Ingredient Fusion: Cream butter and brown sugar until smooth, then blend in eggs and vanilla extract until fully integrated.
5. Dough Assembly: Gently combine dry and wet ingredients, carefully folding in semisweet chocolate chips and chopped nuts to maintain dough integrity.
6. Initial Baking Layer: Spread two-thirds of the cookie dough across the prepared pan, bake for 8 minutes. Simultaneously, refrigerate remaining dough.
7. Caramel and Chocolate Layering: Remove partially baked base, strategically distribute dark chocolate chips, and evenly cascade the prepared caramel sauce.
8. Final Dough Arrangement: Artfully scatter remaining dough clusters across the caramel surface.
9. Complete Baking: Continue baking for 20-25 minutes until achieving a delicate golden hue.
10. Cooling and Finishing: Allow bars to cool at room temperature for 30 minutes, then refrigerate to set completely. Remove from pan, sprinkle with sea salt, and slice into precise squares for serving.

Notes

• Caramel Precision: Monitor sugar transformation carefully to prevent burning; color shifts quickly from golden to bitter.
• Temperature Control: Use medium heat and avoid stirring sugar to create smooth, rich caramel without crystallization.
• Butter Integration: Whisk butter vigorously into caramel immediately after removing from heat to prevent separation.
• Chilling Strategy: Refrigerate remaining dough to maintain structural integrity and enhance flavor development during baking.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 33 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 17
• Calories: 269
• Sugar: 20 g
• Sodium: 110 mg
• Fat: 14 g
• Saturated Fat: 7 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 35 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 37 mg