Salted Caramel Butter Bars Recipe
Salted Caramel Butter Bars are the ultimate indulgent dessert with a buttery crust, rich gooey caramel filling, and a crumbly topping sprinkled with sea salt. This American classic dessert bar is irresistibly sweet, creamy, and perfect for satisfying any sweet tooth craving.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Total Time: 2 hours 10 minutes (includes cooling and chilling time)
- Yield: 24 bars 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
For the Crust and Topping:
- 1 pound (2 cups) unsalted butter, at room temperature
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1½ cups powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons vanilla extract
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
For the Caramel Filling:
- 1 (14 oz) bag of caramel candies, unwrapped (or 2 cups soft caramel bits)
- ⅓ cup heavy cream
- ½ to 1 teaspoon coarse sea salt (adjust to taste)
Instructions
- Prepare the Pan: Preheat your oven to 325°F (165°C). Line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving some overhang on the sides for easy lifting later.
- Make the Dough: In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter, granulated sugar, and powdered sugar until light and fluffy. Add the vanilla extract and mix to combine. Gradually add the flour, mixing until a thick dough forms.
- Press and Bake the Bottom Layer: Press half to two-thirds of the dough evenly into the bottom of your prepared pan. Set the remaining dough aside for the topping. Bake for 20 minutes or until lightly golden.
- Prepare the Caramel: While the crust is baking, melt the caramel candies and heavy cream together in a microwave-safe bowl or over low heat on the stove. Stir frequently until smooth and fully combined.
- Layer the Caramel: Once the bottom layer is done baking, remove it from the oven and pour the warm caramel over the crust. Spread evenly with a spatula. Sprinkle the top with sea salt to enhance the flavor.
- Add the Topping: Crumble the remaining dough over the top of the caramel layer. Do not press it down—just sprinkle it to create a rustic, buttery topping.
- Bake Again: Return the pan to the oven and bake for another 25–30 minutes, or until the topping is set and lightly golden.
- Cool and Slice: Let the bars cool completely in the pan before slicing. For cleaner slices, chill in the fridge for 1 hour after cooling. Use the parchment overhang to lift and slice cleanly.
Notes
- Use room-temperature butter for the creamiest dough and best texture.
- Don’t overbake the base or topping—it should be just lightly golden.
- Stir the caramel constantly while melting to avoid scorching.
Keywords: Salted Caramel Butter Bars, caramel bars, dessert bars, caramel dessert, buttery bars, American dessert
Find it online: https://kitchenwithkai.com/salted-caramel-butter-bars-recipe/
