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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 luscious dessert combining chewy, buttery base with rich caramel bits and melty semi-sweet chocolate chips. Perfectly balanced sweetness and simple pantry ingredients make these bars an irresistible treat for any occasion.

Ingredients

Scale

Dry Ingredients

  • 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda
  • ¼ teaspoon salt

Wet Ingredients

  • ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
  • ¾ cup brown sugar, packed
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Add-ins

  • ½ cup soft caramel bits or chopped caramel candies
  • ¾ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

Instructions

  1. Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving extra overhang for easy removal.
  2. Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, use a mixer to beat the softened butter together with brown sugar until the mixture is smooth, light, and fluffy to help create a chewy texture.
  3. Add Vanilla and Mix Dry Ingredients: Stir in vanilla extract. In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt, then gradually mix these dry ingredients into the wet to form a thick dough.
  4. Fold in Caramel and Chocolate Chips: Gently fold in caramel bits and chocolate chips, ensuring even distribution without overmixing to keep gooey caramel pockets intact.
  5. Bake to Perfection: Spread the dough evenly in the prepared pan and bake for 25–30 minutes, or until golden on the edges but still slightly soft in the center for perfect chewiness.
  6. Cool and Cut: Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan before lifting out using the parchment overhang and cutting into squares to let the caramel set while maintaining gooeyness.

Notes

  • Use softened butter for a smooth batter that traps air and enhances texture.
  • Do not overbake; remove bars when the center is slightly underdone to keep gooey.
  • Chop caramel bits finely for even melting throughout the bars.
  • Use room temperature ingredients for even mixing and consistency.
  • Line the pan with parchment paper to prevent sticking and for easy removal.

Nutrition

Keywords: caramel bars, chocolate chip bars, gooey dessert, chewy bars, caramel recipes, easy baking, chocolate caramel treats

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