Salted Caramel Chocolate Chip Oat Cookie Bars: A Sweet, Salty, and Indulgent Delight

There’s a special kind of magic that happens when sweet and salty meet, and these Salted Caramel Chocolate Chip Oat Cookie Bars embody that perfect balance. With layers of soft oatmeal chocolate chip cookie dough, gooey homemade salted caramel, rich dark chocolate chips, and a crunchy toasted nut topping, these bars are a treat for anyone with a sweet tooth. Whether you’re hosting a party, craving an indulgent dessert, or simply treating yourself after a long day, these cookie bars deliver all the right flavors and textures in every bite.

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These Salted Caramel Chocolate Chip Oat Cookie Bars—often affectionately called “Caramelitas”—are more than just a simple dessert. They’re a showstopper. The combination of chewy oatmeal cookie dough, warm and gooey caramel, dark chocolate, and crunchy nuts is nothing short of decadent. What’s more, these bars are incredibly easy to make, and the results are beyond satisfying.

The Appeal of Salted Caramel Chocolate Chip Oat Cookie Bars

Salted caramel has long been a fan favorite. The depth of flavor that comes from the rich, buttery caramel, combined with a hint of sea salt, brings a sophisticated twist to any dessert. When paired with the classic appeal of oatmeal cookies and decadent chocolate chips, these bars are destined to become a staple in your baking repertoire. The homemade salted caramel is the real star of this recipe. It’s smooth, sweet, and just salty enough to make every bite feel like an indulgence.

As if the salted caramel weren’t enough to draw you in, the cookie dough is made with both quick oats and dark brown sugar, resulting in a chewy, slightly crisp base that complements the gooey caramel and melted chocolate. The toasted walnuts or pecans add another layer of texture and flavor, creating a delightful contrast to the soft cookie layers. These bars are perfect for anyone who loves a mix of textures—soft, chewy, gooey, and crunchy, all packed into one bite.

A Breakdown of the Ingredients

Let’s take a closer look at the ingredients that make these Salted Caramel Chocolate Chip Oat Cookie Bars so irresistible. With layers of oatmeal cookie dough and rich homemade caramel, every ingredient plays a key role in creating the perfect dessert.

Homemade Salted Caramel:

• 3/4 cup (150g) granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup + 2 tbsp (90g) water
• 4 1/2 tbsp unsalted butter, sliced
• 1/4 cup + 2 tbsp (100g) heavy cream, room temperature
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• Hefty pinch of kosher salt
• 7 tbsp (60g) all-purpose flour

The homemade caramel is the soul of this dessert, providing a rich and buttery sweetness that’s balanced with a hint of salt. The combination of water and sugar is carefully heated to create the golden amber caramel, then butter, cream, and vanilla are whisked in to create that perfectly smooth consistency. The pinch of salt adds depth, while the flour thickens the caramel, making it just the right consistency for pouring over the cookie base.

Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough:

• 1 cup (95g) quick oats
• 1 1/4 cup (165g) all-purpose flour
• 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp kosher salt
• 1/2 cup (110g) unsalted butter, room temperature
• 1 cup (210g) dark brown sugar, packed
• 1 large egg + 1 egg yolk
• 2 tsp vanilla extract

For the cookie dough, we’re using a combination of oats, all-purpose flour, and dark brown sugar to create a chewy yet sturdy base. The oats provide a slight texture that complements the caramel filling, while the brown sugar brings a deep molasses flavor that pairs perfectly with the caramel. The egg and egg yolk add richness, while the vanilla extract infuses the dough with a warm, comforting aroma.

• 1/2 cup (85g) semisweet chocolate chips
• 3/4 cup (130g) dark chocolate chips
• 3/4 cup (95g) walnuts or pecans, finely chopped
• Flaky sea salt, for sprinkling

The chocolate chips add a creamy, melty texture to the bars, and the dark chocolate chips lend a rich, bittersweet flavor. Toasted walnuts or pecans add an irresistible crunch, making each bite exciting and satisfying. Finally, a sprinkle of flaky sea salt on top of the finished bars amplifies the salty-sweet contrast and gives them a gourmet finish.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Now that you have the ingredients ready, let’s dive into the process of making these Salted Caramel Chocolate Chip Oat Cookie Bars. While the steps might seem lengthy, rest assured that they’re well worth the effort. These bars are a bit of a labor of love, but the results will leave you absolutely delighted.

Step 1: Making the Homemade Salted Caramel

Start by preparing the caramel first. This will ensure that it’s ready to go when the cookie bars are assembled. In a heavy-bottomed saucepan, combine the granulated sugar and water. Stir gently to dissolve the sugar, but be careful not to let any sugar crystals splatter up on the sides of the pan. Place the pan over medium heat and allow the sugar to dissolve completely. Don’t stir during this process—just let the heat do its job.

Once the sugar mixture is clear and bubbling, keep a close eye on it as it transitions from clear to light golden and eventually to a rich amber color. This process is key to achieving that deep caramel flavor. When the sugar reaches a deep amber color, immediately remove the pan from the heat and whisk in the butter. Be careful as the mixture will bubble up.

Next, slowly pour in the room-temperature heavy cream while whisking to ensure a smooth consistency. Stir in the vanilla extract and a hefty pinch of kosher salt. Finally, return the pan to medium heat and let the caramel bubble for another two minutes. Remove from the heat and whisk in the flour to thicken the caramel. Set the caramel aside and let it cool slightly before pouring it over the cookie dough later.

Step 2: Preparing the Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough

While the caramel is cooling, it’s time to prepare the cookie dough. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line an 8×8-inch baking dish with parchment paper. This will make it easy to lift the bars out once they’ve cooled.

In a medium bowl, whisk together the oats, flour, baking powder, and kosher salt. Set aside. In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and dark brown sugar until smooth and fluffy. You can do this by hand with a wooden spoon or with an electric mixer. Once the butter and sugar are well combined, add the egg, egg yolk, and vanilla extract, and mix until smooth.

Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing just until combined. Before the flour is fully incorporated, stir in the semisweet chocolate chips.

Step 3: Assembling the Bars

Now comes the fun part—assembling the bars! Spread about two-thirds of the cookie dough in an even layer at the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle the chopped nuts (walnuts or pecans) evenly over the dough. Bake the crust for 8 minutes. While it’s baking, place the remaining cookie dough in the refrigerator.

After the crust has baked, remove it from the oven and top it with an even layer of dark chocolate chips. Pour the cooled salted caramel over the chocolate chips, ensuring an even coverage. The caramel should be pourable; if it has thickened too much, simply heat it slightly to loosen it up. Lastly, drop small blobs of the remaining cookie dough over the caramel layer.

Step 4: Baking and Cooling

Bake the assembled bars for 20-25 minutes or until they’re lightly golden on top. The cookie dough should be fully set, and the caramel should be bubbly and slightly firm around the edges. Once done, remove the bars from the oven and allow them to cool at room temperature for about 30 minutes. After they’ve cooled slightly, place the pan in the refrigerator for about an hour to help the bars firm up.

To release the bars from the pan, carefully lift the parchment paper edges. If necessary, use a knife to loosen the edges. Cut the bars into squares and sprinkle with flaky sea salt just before serving for an extra touch of flavor.

Tips for Success and Variations

• Make sure the heavy cream for the caramel is at room temperature before adding it to the hot sugar mixture. Cold cream can cause the caramel to seize.
• If you don’t have quick oats, old-fashioned oats can be used, but the texture may be slightly chewier.
• Feel free to swap out the nuts for your favorite variety, such as almonds or hazelnuts.
• For an extra indulgent treat, drizzle the cooled bars with more caramel sauce before serving.
• If you prefer a nuttier flavor, toast the nuts in a dry skillet before adding them to the cookie bars.

Serving Suggestions

These Salted Caramel Chocolate Chip Oat Cookie Bars are perfect on their own, but they’re also delicious served with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream. If you’re hosting a gathering, they make a wonderful dessert to share with family and friends. The combination of rich caramel, chocolate, and oats makes them an irresistible treat for any occasion.

Conclusion

Incorporating all the best flavors—sweet, salty, and rich—into one indulgent treat, these Salted Caramel Chocolate Chip Oat Cookie Bars are sure to impress anyone who tries them. From the gooey caramel to the chewy oatmeal cookie base and the crunchy nuts, every bite is a delightful experience. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or a beginner, this recipe will surely become one of your go-to desserts for any occasion. So gather your ingredients, set aside some time, and treat yourself to these delicious bars—you won’t regret it!