Best Ever Salted Caramel Gooey Bars (Chewy, Sweet & Addictive)

If you’re craving a dessert that’s chewy, chocolatey, and loaded with gooey caramel, these Salted Caramel Gooey Bars will steal the show. Rich, decadent, and perfectly balanced with a touch of sea salt, they’re ideal for holidays, potlucks, or just an indulgent weeknight treat.

With a buttery base, sticky caramel layer, and chocolate chips scattered on top, each bite offers a luxurious, melt-in-your-mouth experience. The slight sprinkle of sea salt cuts through the sweetness, making them irresistible.

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Why These Bars Are “Best Ever”

Many caramel bar recipes turn out too dry or overly sweet. This recipe balances moisture, chewiness, and saltiness perfectly. The combination of buttery crust, gooey caramel, and chocolate chips creates multiple textures in each bite, while the salt enhances flavor complexity.

The recipe is straightforward yet produces bakery-quality bars that impress every time.

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Ingredients

Crust & Base:

• 1 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 1½ cups brown sugar, packed
• 2 large eggs
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• ½ teaspoon baking powder
• ¼ teaspoon salt

Caramel & Topping:

• 1 cup caramel sauce (homemade or store-bought)
• 1 cup chocolate chips
• ½ teaspoon flaky sea salt

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Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper.
2. In a large bowl, whisk together melted butter and brown sugar until smooth.
3. Beat in eggs and vanilla extract until combined.
4. In a separate bowl, mix flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually fold into wet ingredients to form a thick batter.
5. Spread batter evenly into the prepared pan.
6. Pour caramel sauce over the batter, gently spreading to cover evenly.
7. Sprinkle chocolate chips on top, pressing lightly into the caramel layer.
8. Bake for 25–30 minutes until edges are golden and the center is set but still gooey.
9. Remove from oven and sprinkle with flaky sea salt. Cool completely before slicing into bars.

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Texture & Flavor Profile

These bars are soft, chewy, and gooey, with a luscious caramel center and slightly crisp edges. Chocolate chips add bursts of richness, while the sea salt enhances sweetness and balances flavor. The buttery base holds everything together without being heavy.

Each bite is indulgent, satisfying, and perfectly balanced.

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Expert Tips

Don’t overbake: Bars should remain slightly soft in the center for maximum gooeyness.

Use quality caramel: Homemade or high-quality store-bought caramel improves flavor.

Line pan with parchment: Ensures easy removal and clean slices.

Cool completely: Caramel firms up slightly, making slicing easier and neater.

Optional add-ins: Chopped pecans or walnuts add crunch and flavor.

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Creative Variations

Chocolate Swirl Bars: Swirl melted chocolate into caramel before baking.

Nutty Caramel Bars: Add toasted pecans or almonds to the caramel layer.

Sea Salt Caramel Pretzel Bars: Sprinkle crushed pretzels on top for salty crunch.

Coffee Infused: Add 1 teaspoon instant espresso powder to the batter for mocha notes.

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Serving Suggestions

Serve these bars as dessert with coffee, tea, or a scoop of vanilla ice cream. They’re also perfect for bake sales, holiday parties, or as a sweet snack for chocolate and caramel lovers.

Cut into small squares for parties or large bars for indulgent treats.

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Make-Ahead & Storage Notes

• Store bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
• For longer storage, refrigerate up to 1 week, then warm slightly before serving.
• Bars freeze well: wrap individually or in layers with parchment paper for up to 2 months.

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Why This Recipe Works

The combination of buttery base, gooey caramel, and chocolate chips ensures multiple textures in every bite. SEO keywords like salted caramel gooey bars and best caramel bars recipe target dessert and baking searches, making this recipe both delicious and discoverable.