Gooey Caramel Coffee Bars Recipe
If you’re looking for a dessert that absolutely melts in your mouth and gives you the cozy flavors of caramel and coffee with every bite, you’re in for a treat. Gooey Caramel Coffee Bars are everything you crave in a dessert: golden, buttery, laced with a hint of bold coffee, and oozing with creamy caramel and pockets of melty chocolate. With each square, you get the perfect marriage of rich coffee flavor, sweet caramel, and a tender, chewy base that’s pure comfort food. Whether you’re baking for a crowd, a potluck, or just to perk up your afternoon coffee break, these bars are a guaranteed hit!
Ingredients You’ll Need
Every element in Gooey Caramel Coffee Bars is chosen for maximum flavor—and you probably have most of them on hand! Each ingredient brings something special, from the buttery richness to that pop of toasty coffee, making these bars truly unforgettable.
- Melted Unsalted Butter: Gives the bars their signature rich, chewy texture and beautiful golden color.
- Packed Brown Sugar: Adds moistness and a deep caramel flavor that pairs perfectly with the coffee and actual caramel inside.
- Large Eggs: Create structure so your bars hold together with just the right amount of fluffiness.
- Vanilla Extract: Balances all the strong flavors with a sweet, aromatic backdrop.
- All-Purpose Flour: The base that binds all the gooey ingredients together without being heavy.
- Instant Coffee Granules: Bring a pronounced coffee flavor that accentuates both the chocolate and caramel swirl.
- Baking Powder: Lends a gentle lift for that light, tender crumb you want in every bar.
- Salt: A pinch sharpens the caramel and coffee notes, making every flavor pop.
- Caramel Bits or Chopped Soft Caramels: The shining star that guarantees gooey, luscious pockets in every bite.
- Heavy Cream: Helps the caramel melt smoothly and keeps the center luxuriously soft.
- Semisweet Chocolate Chips: Give bursts of melty chocolate that perfectly contrast the sweet caramel.
How to Make Gooey Caramel Coffee Bars
Step 1: Prep the Pan and Oven
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F. Grab a 9×13-inch baking pan and line it with parchment paper, letting a bit hang over the sides for easy lifting. This makes removing (and sharing!) the bars so much easier, plus cleanup is a breeze.
Step 2: Whisk the Wet Ingredients
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the melted unsalted butter and packed brown sugar until the mixture is smooth and shiny. This combo will create the moist, chewy base that every Gooey Caramel Coffee Bar needs. Now, whisk in the eggs and vanilla extract until everything is beautifully blended—no streaks left!
Step 3: Combine Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, stir together the all-purpose flour, instant coffee granules, baking powder, and salt. The instant coffee granules will dissolve perfectly for a uniform flavor boost, while the baking powder and salt keep things light and balanced.
Step 4: Mix it All Together
Slowly fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture. Work gently and stop as soon as you see the last streak of flour disappear—overmixing will make the bars tough, and we want them super tender and chewy!
Step 5: Layer the Bottom and Make the Caramel
Spread half of your batter evenly into the lined baking pan. For the gooey center, place your caramel bits or chopped soft caramels with the heavy cream in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave in 30-second bursts, stirring each time, until the caramel is melted and silky smooth—usually about 60 to 90 seconds.
Step 6: Assemble and Finish Layering
Pour the warm caramel mixture over the batter in the pan, spreading it right to the edges. Sprinkle the semisweet chocolate chips generously over the caramel pool. Finally, drop spoonfuls of the remaining batter across the caramel layer and carefully spread to cover as much as possible. A few caramel peeks are totally okay—they just add to the gooey charm!
Step 7: Bake and Cool
Bake the bars for 28 to 32 minutes, or until the top is golden and the edges are set. You want the center to look a little soft; that’s the secret to extra-gooey perfection! Let the bars cool completely in the pan before lifting them out with the parchment and slicing into squares. Trust me, patience pays off here.
How to Serve Gooey Caramel Coffee Bars
Garnishes
The best part about Gooey Caramel Coffee Bars is dressing them up just before serving! A dusting of powdered sugar, an extra drizzle of caramel, or a sprinkle of flaky sea salt transforms each bar into a bakery-worthy treat. If you’re feeling decadent, a dollop of whipped cream or a drizzle of cold cream will take things to a whole new level.
Side Dishes
These bars shine next to a strong cup of freshly brewed coffee, of course! But they’re also delightful served with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a handful of crunchy nuts, which bring out the caramel and chocolate even more. For a fun dessert board idea, pair them with some seasonal fruit—sliced apples or fresh raspberries cut through the richness perfectly.
Creative Ways to Present
Try stacking Gooey Caramel Coffee Bars on a rustic wooden board for a casual gathering, or cut them into bite-sized cubes and skewer them for party-ready dessert kabobs! They also look beautiful arranged in mini cupcake liners for a swanky dessert buffet—or simply wrap them in parchment and tie with twine for the sweetest homemade gift.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
For best results, store Gooey Caramel Coffee Bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. If your kitchen tends to get warm or humid, keep them in the refrigerator instead. The caramel center will stay soft and luscious!
Freezing
These bars actually freeze beautifully. Once cooled completely, layer them between sheets of parchment paper in an airtight container or zippered bag. Freeze for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to indulge, just let them thaw on the counter—or warm gently for that fresh-baked gooeyness.
Reheating
To recapture the dreamy soft texture, pop a bar into the microwave for 5 to 10 seconds. This gives you melty caramel and chocolate without drying anything out. You can also reheat larger batches in a low oven (around 300°F) for about 5 minutes.
FAQs
Can I use regular brewed coffee instead of instant granules?
Brewed coffee adds more moisture, which could affect the texture. Instant coffee granules deliver bold flavor without extra liquid, so they’re the best pick for these bars.
Are there any nut-free variations?
Absolutely! The base recipe contains no nuts, but if you’d like a little crunch, feel free to add some toasted pecans or walnuts. Or just keep it classic if you’re serving a nut-free crowd.
Can I double the recipe for a crowd?
You bet—just use two 9×13 pans or a large sheet pan, increasing the baking time slightly. Check for a set center before pulling from the oven to keep that gooey caramel magic intact.
How do I make cleaner cuts for serving?
For neat bars, chill them in the fridge until firm, then use a sharp knife wiped clean between cuts. Lining the pan with parchment also makes it much easier to lift and slice without sticking.
What’s the best way to add a stronger coffee flavor?
If you’re wild about that coffee kick, just stir in an extra teaspoon of instant coffee granules with the dry ingredients. It heightens the mocha magic without overpowering the sweet caramel notes.
Final Thoughts
If you love desserts that bring together classic flavors in the gooeyest, most comforting way, you’re going to adore making and sharing Gooey Caramel Coffee Bars. I can’t wait for you to experience that first soft, melty bite—these are the sort of treats that disappear fast whenever I make them, so don’t be surprised if they become your new go-to recipe, too!
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Gooey Caramel Coffee Bars Recipe
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 16 bars 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Indulge in the rich and gooey goodness of these Gooey Caramel Coffee Bars. A perfect blend of caramel, coffee, and chocolate in every bite, these bars are a delightful treat for any occasion.
Ingredients
Batter:
- 1 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 1/2 cups brown sugar, packed
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon instant coffee granules
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Toppings:
- 1 1/2 cups caramel bits or chopped soft caramels
- 2 tablespoons heavy cream
- 1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F and line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper.
- Mix wet ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together melted butter and brown sugar. Add eggs and vanilla extract, whisk until combined.
- Combine dry ingredients: In a separate bowl, stir together flour, instant coffee, baking powder, and salt.
- Combine wet and dry: Gradually fold dry ingredients into wet mixture until just combined.
- Layer batter: Spread half of the batter in the pan.
- Prepare caramel: Melt caramel bits with heavy cream in microwave, then pour over batter. Sprinkle with chocolate chips.
- Top with remaining batter: Drop spoonfuls of remaining batter over caramel layer and spread gently.
- Bake: Bake for 28-32 minutes until golden and set. Cool before cutting into bars.
Notes
- For an extra coffee kick, add an additional teaspoon of instant coffee granules.
- Store bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for up to a week.
- Warm slightly before serving for maximum gooeyness.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 265
- Sugar: 25 g
- Sodium: 160 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 37 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 45 mg
