Sweet & Salty Bliss: Homemade Salted Caramel Butter Bars Recipe

When it comes to irresistible desserts, these salted caramel butter bars strike the perfect balance between sweet and salty.

Rich, decadent butter bars infused with gooey caramel create a mouthwatering treat that melts in your mouth.

Each bite delivers a luxurious blend of creamy textures and deep, complex flavors.

The golden, buttery crust provides a stunning foundation for the luscious caramel layer that follows.

Sprinkled with just the right amount of sea salt, these bars elevate a simple dessert into a gourmet experience.

Prepare to fall in love with this indulgent recipe that promises to become a new favorite for any occasion.

Dive into these heavenly bars and discover pure dessert bliss.

Serving Salted Caramel Butter Bars Sweet And Simple

• Sweet Brunch Partner: Pair these bars with a steaming cappuccino or creamy latte to balance the rich caramel flavor and enhance the dessert's sweetness.
• Elegant Dessert Plating: Dust the bars with powdered sugar or drizzle extra caramel sauce on top, creating an Instagram-worthy presentation that adds visual appeal and extra decadence.
• Ice Cream Companion: Serve warm bars alongside a scoop of vanilla bean or sea salt ice cream, creating a delightful temperature and texture contrast that elevates the entire dessert experience.
• Party Portion Hack: Cut bars into smaller bite-sized squares for easy sharing at gatherings, making them perfect for potlucks, office parties, or casual weekend get-togethers with friends and family.

Store Salted Caramel Butter Bars So They Stay Buttery

• Smart Refrigeration Strategy: Store these delectable bars in an airtight container inside the refrigerator, where they'll stay fresh and maintain their delicious texture for up to 5 days. Keep bars separated by parchment paper to prevent sticking.
• Freezing Magic: Wrap individual bars tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. Frozen bars remain scrumptious for 2-3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator for best results.
• Room Temperature Tips: If serving within 24 hours, place bars in a sealed container away from direct sunlight and heat sources. Keep at room temperature to maintain their soft, buttery consistency.
• Cutting and Serving Hack: Use a sharp, clean knife warmed under hot water for perfectly smooth bar slices. Wipe the blade between cuts to ensure each piece looks Instagram-worthy and clean-edged.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 40-45 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour

Calories: 270 kcal

Servings: 15

What Goes Into Salted Caramel Butter Bars

• Butter: Creamy foundation that creates a rich, melt-in-your-mouth texture and adds luxurious flavor.
• Granulated Sugar: Provides sweetness and helps create a crisp, golden crust with delightful caramelization.
• Brown Sugar: Introduces deep, molasses-like undertones and helps maintain moisture in the bars.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds aromatic warmth and enhances the overall sweetness of the dessert.
• All-Purpose Flour: Binds the ingredients together and creates the classic crumbly shortbread-like texture.
• Salt: Balances the sweetness and brings out the depth of flavors in the base.

• Caramel Sauce: Delivers a luxurious, golden sweetness that creates a gooey, indulgent center.
• Sea Salt: Elevates the caramel's flavor profile by adding a sophisticated, contrasting salty note.

• Powdered Sugar (Optional): Perfect for a delicate, snowy dusting that adds a touch of elegance to the bars.

Tools That Help With Salted Caramel Butter Bars

• Large mixing bowl: Essential for combining and mixing ingredients smoothly.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Precise measurements for perfect ingredient ratios.
• 9×13-inch baking pan: Standard size for creating even bars with consistent thickness.
• Parchment paper or cooking spray: Ensures easy removal and prevents sticking.
• Electric mixer or whisk: Helps cream butter and sugar to light, fluffy consistency.
• Spatula: Perfect for scraping bowl sides and spreading dough evenly.
• Sharp knife: Needed for clean, precise cutting of cooled bars.

Directions For Salted Caramel Butter Bars

• Oven Preparation

Warm up the kitchen with a cozy 325F setting. Grab a baking pan and create a smooth surface with parchment paper or a quick spray of grease.

• Buttery Dough Creation

Blend softened butter with sugars until they transform into a fluffy cloud. Splash in vanilla for a sweet whisper. Gently fold flour and salt, watching the mixture become a crumbly playground of deliciousness.

• Crust Foundation

Spread half the dough across the pan, creating a golden base. Bake until edges turn a delicate honey color, then let it rest and cool down.

• Caramel Magic

Swirl caramel with a hint of sea salt, balancing sweet and salty notes like a culinary symphony.

• Layering Adventure

Drizzle the salted caramel generously over the crust, covering every nook and cranny.

• Crumbly Topping

Scatter the remaining dough like a delicate blanket over the caramel, ensuring an even coverage.

• Final Baking Moment

Return to the oven, letting the bars transform into a golden masterpiece for 25-30 minutes.

• Cooling and Serving

Allow the bars to cool completely. For picture-perfect slices, chill in the refrigerator before cutting into delectable squares.

Tasty Tricks For Salted Caramel Butter Bars

• Master Caramel Crust Technique: Press the dough gently but firmly into the pan to create an even, compact base that won't crumble when sliced. Soft pressure ensures a perfect texture without compacting the dough too densely.
• Make-Ahead Magic: These bars can be prepared up to 3 days in advance and stored in an airtight container at room temperature. Refrigeration helps firm up the caramel layer for cleaner cutting and more defined edges.
• Gluten-Free Swap: Replace regular flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend to make these bars accessible for those with wheat sensitivities. Check that your caramel sauce is also gluten-free for complete dietary accommodation.
• Flavor Remix: Experiment with different salted caramel variations by using flavored sea salts like smoked or lavender salt. Dark chocolate drizzle or chopped nuts sprinkled on top can elevate the basic recipe with exciting texture and depth.
• Portion Control Pro: Use a sharp knife dipped in hot water and wiped clean between cuts for pristine, professional-looking bar squares. Chilling the bars before slicing helps achieve those Instagram-worthy clean edges every time.

Heavenly Salted Caramel Butter Bars Recipe

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4.7 from 31 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour
• Yield: 15 1x

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Description

Salted caramel butter bars offer a rich, indulgent dessert perfect for sweet tooths. Buttery layers meld with caramel’s deep flavor, creating a luxurious treat that delights taste buds and satisfies cravings.

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Ingredients

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• 1 cup (225 g / 8 oz) unsalted butter, softened
• 2 ½ cups (315 g / 11.1 oz) all-purpose flour
• 1 cup (200 g / 7 oz) granulated sugar
• ¾ cup (150 g / 5.3 oz) light brown sugar, packed
• 2 tsps vanilla extract
• ½ tsp salt
• 1 jar (11 oz / 310 g) caramel sauce
• ¼ tsp sea salt

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Instructions

1. Prepare Pan: Line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper, ensuring complete coverage with slight overhang for effortless removal and serving.
2. Craft Dough Foundation: Cream butter and sugars until voluminous and pale, integrating vanilla extract to enhance flavor complexity, then delicately fold in flour and salt until a malleable, crumbly texture emerges.
3. Create Base Layer: Distribute half the dough across the prepared pan, pressing firmly and uniformly to establish a compact, seamless crust without any vulnerable thin regions.
4. Initial Baking Phase: Bake the foundational layer in a preheated oven until edges acquire a golden-bronze shimmer, approximately 15-18 minutes, then allow a brief cooling interval.
5. Caramel Enhancement: Blend caramel sauce with sea salt, ensuring thorough incorporation and balanced seasoning, then generously drizzle across the partially cooled crust to create an even, glistening layer.
6. Textural Topping: Delicately scatter remaining dough over the caramel, generating a rustic, artisanal appearance that promises textural intrigue and visual appeal.
7. Final Baking Stage: Return pan to oven and continue baking until the surface transforms into a luminous golden landscape with elegantly crisp edges.
8. Cooling and Setting: Remove from oven and allow bars to cool completely at room temperature, facilitating layer integration and optimal slice definition, then optionally refrigerate for 30 minutes to achieve pristine cutting precision.

Notes

• Choose Quality Butter: Select high-fat, unsalted butter at room temperature for a rich, creamy base that ensures smooth mixing and exceptional texture.
• Press Crust Evenly: Use the back of a measuring cup or flat spatula to create a uniform, compact bottom layer without thin or uneven spots that might cause inconsistent baking.
• Control Caramel Consistency: Warm caramel slightly to achieve a pourable consistency, but avoid overheating to prevent separation or burning of the sauce.
• Chill for Clean Cuts: Refrigerate bars for at least 30 minutes before slicing to stabilize layers and create precise, professional-looking squares without crumbling.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 40-45 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 15
• Calories: 270
• Sugar: 22 g
• Sodium: 150 mg
• Fat: 14 g
• Saturated Fat: 9 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 35 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 2 g
• Cholesterol: 30 mg