When I whip up these bars, the house fills with the best smell. Everyone loves them!

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a 9×13 inch baking dish with parchment paper.

In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.

Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until well combined.

In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.

Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined.

Press the dough evenly into the prepared baking dish.

Sprinkle the chocolate chips over the dough, pressing them slightly into the surface.

Drizzle the caramel sauce evenly over the chocolate chips.

Sprinkle the sea salt flakes over the top.

Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and the center is set.

Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan before cutting into squares.

For a nutty twist, add a half cup of chopped pecans or walnuts to the dough before pressing it into the pan. If you’re a fan of dark chocolate, swap out the semi-sweet chocolate chips for dark chocolate chips to add a richer flavor. You can also experiment with different types of caramel, such as salted caramel or bourbon caramel, to give the bars a unique taste. For a festive touch, sprinkle some colorful sprinkles or edible glitter on top before baking.