Description
Salted caramel chocolate chip oat cookie bars blend rich, gooey caramel with classic chocolate chip comfort. Layers of sweet and salty create irresistible indulgence that will leave you craving another delicious square.
Ingredients
Scale
Homemade Salted Caramel:
Main Ingredients:
- 0.75 cup (150 grams) granulated sugar
- 0.25 cup + 2 tablespoons (90 grams) water
Supporting Ingredients:
- 4.5 tablespoons unsalted butter, sliced
- 0.25 cup + 2 tablespoons (100 grams) heavy cream, room temperature
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 hefty pinch kosher salt
Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough:
Main Ingredients:
- 1.25 cup (165 grams) all-purpose flour
- 1 cup (95 grams) quick oats
- 1 cup (210 grams) dark brown sugar, packed
Chocolate and Nuts:
- 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
Supporting Ingredients:
- 0.5 cup (110 grams) unsalted butter, room temperature
- 1 large egg + 1 egg yolk
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 0.5 teaspoon baking powder
- 0.5 teaspoon kosher salt
- Flaky sea salt, for sprinkling
Instructions
- Craft the caramel foundation by gathering ingredients and ensuring cream reaches ambient temperature.
- In a weighty saucepan, gently merge water and sugar without disturbing the pan’s sides, maintaining an even distribution.
- Apply medium heat, allowing sugar to transform from transparent to golden without manual intervention, watching intently for color evolution.
- Once amber hues emerge, immediately extract from heat and vigorously incorporate butter using swift whisking motions.
- Gradually introduce heavy cream, creating a silky consistency while integrating vanilla and kosher salt.
- Return caramel to moderate heat, whisking in flour to stabilize the mixture, then set aside for cooling.
- Preheat kitchen apparatus to 350°F and prepare an 8×8-inch vessel with parchment, ensuring comprehensive coverage and light lubrication.
- Combine dry elements – oats, flour, leavening agent, and seasoning – using a thorough whisking technique.
- In a separate vessel, cream butter and dark brown sugar until harmoniously blended, then introduce egg components and vanilla extract.
- Merge dry and wet mixtures cautiously, avoiding over-manipulation, then gently fold in semisweet chocolate fragments.
- Distribute approximately two-thirds of cookie mixture across prepared pan, sprinkling chopped nuts for textural complexity.
- Execute initial baking cycle for 8 minutes, simultaneously refrigerating remaining dough.
- Extract partially baked foundation, strategically layer dark chocolate chips, and cascade caramel evenly.
- Artfully deposit remaining dough clusters across the surface.
- Complete baking process for 20-25 minutes until achieving delicate golden coloration.
- Allow thermal equilibration at ambient temperature for half an hour, then refrigerate for comprehensive setting.
- Liberate bars from pan, embellish with delicate sea salt crystals, and slice into precise squares for serving.
Notes
- Caramel Precision Matters: Carefully monitor sugar transformation from clear to amber to prevent burning, which can ruin the entire batch’s flavor profile.
- Temperature Control is Key: Room temperature ingredients ensure smooth caramel and consistent cookie dough mixing without unexpected texture changes.
- Make-Ahead Magic: Refrigerating the bars helps set the caramel and creates a firmer, more sliceable texture for perfect square presentations.
- Strategic Layering Technique: Spreading dough in stages and adding chocolate chips mid-bake allows for complex flavor development and textural intrigue.
- Salt Enhancement Trick: Finishing with flaky sea salt elevates the sweet-savory balance, transforming ordinary cookie bars into a gourmet dessert experience.
- Parchment Paper Lifesaver: Lining the baking dish ensures easy removal and prevents sticking, making cleanup and serving significantly easier.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 33 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 16
- Calories: 392
- Sugar: 24g
- Sodium: 200mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 43g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 38mg