If you’re craving a dessert that perfectly balances rich coffee flavor with luscious caramel, then this Gooey Caramel Coffee Bars Recipe is about to become your new obsession. These bars combine the comforting warmth of coffee-infused batter with a decadent layer of gooey caramel, creating a heavenly treat that’s both satisfying and delightfully indulgent. Whether served as an afternoon pick-me-up or a show-stopping dessert, these bars never fail to impress with their golden crust, soft center, and that irresistible caramel pull with every bite.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This Gooey Caramel Coffee Bars Recipe calls for simple yet essential ingredients that work in harmony to create depth of flavor, texture, and the perfect golden color. Each element has its role—from the rich butter providing moistness, to the coffee granules lending a subtle, aromatic kick, and the caramel sauce delivering the signature gooey surprise you’ll adore.
- Unsalted butter: Using softened butter helps achieve a smooth, creamy batter contributing to tender bars.
- Light brown sugar: Packed tightly to add sweetness with a hint of molasses that deepens flavor.
- Large eggs: Act as a binder while adding richness and structure to the bars.
- Vanilla extract: Enhances overall flavor with warm, sweet notes.
- Instant coffee granules: Dissolve easily to infuse a pleasant coffee aroma without bitterness.
- All-purpose flour: Provides the necessary structure creating the perfect chewy texture.
- Baking powder: Lightens the batter for just the right crumb.
- Salt: Balances sweetness and heightens the other flavors.
- Caramel sauce: The star ingredient adding gooey, buttery sweetness between the layers.
- Semi-sweet chocolate chips (optional): Offers bursts of chocolate richness that complement coffee and caramel beautifully.
How to Make Gooey Caramel Coffee Bars Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Oven and Pan
First things first: preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). This ensures even baking from the get-go. Line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper or lightly grease it so your bars come out cleanly without sticking.
Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugar
In a large bowl, cream together the softened unsalted butter and packed light brown sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. This step is crucial because the creamed butter and sugar create air pockets, lending to a tender texture in your bars.
Step 3: Incorporate Eggs, Vanilla, and Coffee
Beat in the eggs one at a time to ensure they are fully incorporated and your batter stays smooth. Then mix in your vanilla extract and instant coffee granules. Stir until the coffee dissolves completely, releasing its aromatic essence into the batter.
Step 4: Combine Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. This step helps evenly distribute the leavening agent and salt so every bite of your Gooey Caramel Coffee Bars Recipe is balanced and perfect.
Step 5: Mix Wet and Dry Ingredients
Gradually fold the dry ingredients into your wet coffee mixture. Mix gently until just combined to avoid overworking the batter, which can make your bars tough.
Step 6: Layer the Batter and Caramel
Spread half of the batter evenly in your prepared pan. Warm up the caramel sauce just slightly if it’s too thick, then pour it over the first layer. This gooey layer will be the luscious heart of your bars. Dollop the remaining batter carefully over the caramel and gently smooth it out. If you love a bit of chocolate, sprinkle semi-sweet chocolate chips on top now.
Step 7: Bake to Perfection
Bake for 25 to 30 minutes. Keep an eye on the color—once the top is golden and set but still slightly soft in the center, it’s done. Let the bars cool in the pan before slicing to achieve clean edges and maintain that delightful gooey texture.
How to Serve Gooey Caramel Coffee Bars Recipe
Garnishes
For an extra burst of flavor and visual appeal, drizzle additional caramel sauce over the bars right before serving. A light dusting of powdered sugar or a sprinkle of finely chopped nuts like pecans or walnuts can add a lovely crunch and contrast.
Side Dishes
These Gooey Caramel Coffee Bars Recipe pairs beautifully with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream. If you’re feeling adventurous, a cup of freshly brewed coffee or a creamy latte will elevate this dessert experience to a new level.
Creative Ways to Present
Try cutting the bars into bite-sized squares and serving them on a pretty platter with coffee beans scattered around for a charming café vibe. You could also stack the bars with layers of whipped cream and chocolate drizzle to create a decadent dessert parfait.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep your Gooey Caramel Coffee Bars Recipe fresh by storing them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days. For longer freshness, popping them into the refrigerator extends their life while preserving the gooey texture.
Freezing
If you want to enjoy these bars later, freeze them in a tightly sealed container or wrapped in plastic wrap and foil. They can keep fresh in the freezer for up to two months, making them a wonderful make-ahead treat.
Reheating
To bring your bars back to that irresistible gooey warmth, gently reheat them in the microwave for 15-20 seconds or in a low oven until warmed through. This revives their soft texture and luscious caramel filling beautifully.
FAQs
Can I use brewed coffee instead of instant coffee granules?
While brewed coffee adds moisture, instant coffee granules are preferred in this recipe because they dissolve fully and provide an intense coffee flavor without altering the batter’s consistency.
Is it okay to substitute caramel sauce with store-bought caramel?
Absolutely! Both homemade and store-bought caramel sauces work well. Just make sure the caramel is pourable and not too thick to spread evenly.
What if I want a stronger coffee flavor in my bars?
You can increase the instant coffee granules from 2 to 1 tablespoon for a bolder, more pronounced coffee kick that still balances nicely with the caramel sweetness.
Can I omit the chocolate chips?
Of course! The chocolate chips add a delightful touch, but the bars are perfectly delicious without them, letting the caramel and coffee flavors shine on their own.
How do I know when the bars are done baking?
The top should be golden and set, but the center remains slightly soft. If you insert a toothpick, it should come out with a few moist crumbs but not wet batter. This ensures a tender, gooey texture.
Final Thoughts
Once you try this Gooey Caramel Coffee Bars Recipe, I promise it will quickly become your go-to dessert when you crave something comforting yet indulgent. It’s a delightful blend of flavors and textures that’s surprisingly easy to whip up but feels special every time. So go ahead and treat yourself—you deserve that perfect bite of coffee and caramel bliss!
Print
Gooey Caramel Coffee Bars Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 16 bars
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Gooey Caramel Coffee Bars combine the rich flavors of coffee and caramel in a soft, chewy dessert that’s perfect for any coffee lover. Featuring a coffee-infused buttery batter layered with luscious caramel and optional chocolate chips, these bars are an irresistible treat for dessert or an indulgent snack.
Ingredients
Batter
- 1 cup unsalted butter (softened)
- 1 cup light brown sugar (packed)
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons instant coffee granules
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Layers & Topping
- 1 cup caramel sauce (plus extra for drizzling)
- 1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the pan and preheat oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper or lightly grease it to prevent sticking.
- Cream butter and sugar: In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and light brown sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy, which helps create a tender texture in the bars.
- Add eggs and flavorings: Beat in the eggs one at a time to ensure even incorporation. Mix in the vanilla extract and dissolve the instant coffee granules fully into the wet mixture to infuse the coffee flavor evenly.
- Mix dry ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt to distribute the leavening agent and salt evenly throughout the dry components.
- Combine wet and dry ingredients: Gradually add the dry flour mixture into the wet coffee batter, mixing just until combined to avoid overworking the batter which can make the bars tough.
- Layer the batter and caramel: Spread half of the batter evenly into the prepared baking pan. Slightly warm the caramel sauce if thick, then pour it evenly over this bottom layer.
- Top with remaining batter and chocolate chips: Carefully dollop and spread the remaining batter over the caramel layer. Sprinkle semi-sweet chocolate chips on top if using, adding a rich chocolate element.
- Bake the bars: Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, until the top is golden and set but still slightly soft in the center to maintain gooeyness.
- Cool and serve: Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan before slicing into 16 bars. Drizzle with additional caramel sauce before serving for extra indulgence if desired.
Notes
- For a stronger coffee flavor, increase instant coffee granules to 1 tablespoon.
- Both store-bought and homemade caramel sauces work great in this recipe.
- Store leftover bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate to extend freshness.
