Quick & Dreamy Salted Caramel Butter Bars Recipe

Salted caramel butter bars emerge as a decadent dessert that seamlessly blends sweet and savory flavors.

These irresistible treats promise a symphony of rich, buttery notes with a delightful salty twist.

Crisp edges give way to a luxurious, melt-in-your-mouth center that captures pure indulgence.

Each bite delivers a complex layering of textures that dance across your palate.

butter takes center stage, creating a foundation of creamy magnificence that elevates the entire experience.

Home bakers adore this recipe for its simplicity and crowd-pleasing results.

The magic happens when classic ingredients upgrade into something extraordinary through careful technique and precise balance.

You’ll fall in love with these bars that redefine comfort in every delectable square.

Salted Caramel Butter Bars Offer Sweet Meets Savory

• Craft Irresistible Texture Layers: Enjoy a delightful combination of crumbly butter crust, silky smooth caramel, and delicate sea salt flakes that create a mind-blowing mouthfeel in every single bite.
• Master Foolproof Sweet Technique: This recipe offers an easy, beginner-friendly method with straightforward steps, requiring minimal baking skills while delivering professional-looking dessert bars that will impress family and friends.
• Elevate Comfort Dessert Experience: The perfect balance of sweet caramel and salty undertones transforms a classic butter bar into a gourmet treat, making it ideal for casual gatherings, potlucks, and weekend indulgences.
• Customize Flavor Adventure: Easily adaptable recipe allows home bakers to experiment with different salt levels, caramel intensities, and serving styles, providing a versatile dessert that can be tailored to personal preferences.

Ingredients for Rich Salted Caramel Butter Bars

• Salted Butter: Rich, creamy foundation that provides incredible flavor and tender texture, best when at room temperature.
• Granulated Sugar, Powdered Sugar: Sweet components that balance richness and create delicate crumbly consistency.
• Vanilla Extract: Warm, aromatic flavor enhancer that adds depth to the bar's taste.

• All-Purpose Flour: Structural backbone of the crust, creating a classic shortbread-like base with perfect crumbly texture.

• Caramel Candies, Heavy Cream: Smooth, golden filling that melts into a luxurious sauce, soft caramels work best for easy melting.
• Vanilla Extract: Additional flavor booster that complements caramel's sweetness.
• Flake Sea Salt: Crunchy, bright finishing touch that cuts through sweetness and enhances overall flavor complexity, choose large flaky crystals for best texture.

How to Bake and Slice Salted Caramel Butter Bars

Step 1: Prepare the Oven

Preheat oven to 325°F (163°C)

Lightly spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray

Step 2: Create Buttery Dough

• Butter
• Granulated sugar
• Powdered sugar

Mix on medium speed until smooth and fluffy

Add vanilla extract and blend thoroughly

Gradually incorporate flour on low speed

Mix until soft dough forms

Step 3: Craft the Base Layer

Press half of the dough evenly into prepared baking dish

Wrap remaining dough in plastic wrap

Refrigerate wrapped dough

Bake base layer for 15-20 minutes until edges turn golden brown

Cool on wire rack for 15 minutes

Step 4: Develop Caramel Filling

Unwrap caramel candies

Place caramels in microwave-safe bowl

Add heavy cream

Microwave for 1 minute

Stir until completely smooth

Add vanilla extract

Mix thoroughly

Step 5: Layer the Caramel

Pour melted caramel over cooled crust

Spread evenly across surface

Sprinkle flake sea salt generously

Step 6: Add Crumble Topping

Remove chilled dough from refrigerator

Crumble dough evenly over caramel layer

Step 7: Final Baking

Return dish to oven

Bake 25-30 minutes

Look for bubbly caramel and golden brown top

Step 8: Cool and Serve

Allow bars to cool completely

Cut into 24 square pieces

Serve and enjoy the decadent sweet-salty treat

Tips for Gooey Layers and Buttery Crusts

• Measure Precisely: Use exact ingredient measurements for consistent texture and flavor in every batch of bars.
• Chill Dough Strategically: Refrigerate the remaining dough to prevent spreading and maintain a crumbly, tender top layer during baking.
• Melt Caramel Carefully: Microwave caramels in short intervals, stirring frequently to prevent burning and achieve a smooth, silky consistency.
• Salt with Finesse: Sprinkle flake sea salt sparingly to enhance the caramel's sweetness without overwhelming the delicate butter crust.
• Cool Completely: Allow bars to cool entirely at room temperature to set the caramel and ensure clean, perfect cuts when serving.

Storing and Reheating Salted Caramel Butter Bars

• Refrigerate: Seal bars in an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Layer between parchment paper to prevent sticking.
• Freeze: Wrap individual bars tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 3 months for maximum freshness.
• Reheat: Bring refrigerated bars to room temperature or warm gently in the microwave for 10-15 seconds to restore soft, gooey texture. Avoid overheating to prevent caramel from becoming hard.

Great Drinks to Enjoy with Caramel Butter Bars

• Elevate Sweet Crunch: Pair these salted caramel butter bars with a cold glass of whole milk or creamy vanilla bean iced latte for a decadent flavor contrast that balances the rich, buttery sweetness.
• Complement Caramel Notes: Serve alongside a crisp apple cider or a light moscato wine to enhance the caramel's depth and provide a refreshing counterpoint to the dense, sweet bars.
• Boost Dessert Experience: Accompany with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream or a dollop of fresh whipped cream to cut through the richness and add a creamy, cool texture that complements the warm, buttery base.
• Enhance Salty-Sweet Profile: Match with a strong espresso or dark roast coffee to highlight the sea salt's complexity and provide a robust contrast to the dessert's sugary layers.

Recipe Twists for Salted Caramel Butter Bars

• Chocolate Caramel Fusion: Add cocoa powder to the crust dough and drizzle melted dark chocolate over the finished bars for a rich, decadent chocolate-caramel experience.
• Nutty Caramel Crunch: Sprinkle chopped pecans or almonds between the caramel layer and crumbled top for extra texture and a delightful nutty flavor.
• Spiced Caramel Adventure: Mix ground cinnamon or a pinch of cayenne pepper into the crust dough to create a warm, slightly spicy undertone that complements the sweet caramel.
• Berry Caramel Swirl: Carefully layer raspberry or strawberry preserves between the caramel and crumble for a fruity counterpoint to the rich, buttery base.

Salted Caramel Butter Bars Recipe

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4.5 from 35 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Salted caramel butter bars deliver pure indulgence with their buttery crust and silky caramel center. Rich layers of sweet and salty flavors invite you to savor each delectable bite of this irresistible dessert.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 ½ cups salted butter, at room temperature
• 14 ounces (397 grams) caramel candies, unwrapped

Sugars and Sweeteners:

• ¾ cup granulated sugar
• 1 ¼ cups powdered sugar

Flavor Enhancers and Liquids:

• 1 ½ tablespoons vanilla extract
• ⅓ cup heavy cream
• Flake sea salt, to taste

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Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 325°F and prepare a 9×13-inch baking dish with nonstick spray.
2. In a stand mixer, blend butter, granulated sugar, and powdered sugar until creamy and light, approximately 2 minutes.
3. Incorporate vanilla extract into the butter mixture, ensuring thorough integration.
4. Gradually fold flour into the mixture, creating a soft, cohesive dough.
5. Distribute half the dough evenly across the prepared baking dish, pressing firmly to create a uniform base.
6. Wrap the remaining dough and refrigerate to maintain its consistency.
7. Bake the pressed dough for 15-20 minutes until edges develop a delicate golden hue.
8. Remove from oven and allow the crust to cool on a wire rack for 15 minutes.
9. Melt caramel candies with heavy cream in a microwave-safe bowl, stirring at intervals until smooth and glossy.
10. Blend vanilla extract into the melted caramel for enhanced flavor complexity.
11. Generously drizzle the caramel over the cooled crust, ensuring complete and even coverage.
12. Sprinkle flake sea salt across the caramel layer, creating a balanced sweet-savory profile.
13. Retrieve the chilled dough and delicately crumble it over the caramel, creating a rustic top layer.
14. Return the dish to the oven, baking for 25-30 minutes until caramel bubbles and the surface turns golden brown.
15. Allow the bars to cool completely before slicing into 24 precise squares, revealing layers of buttery decadence.

Notes

• Preparation requires patience, but the reward is a mouthwatering treat that’ll become your new favorite indulgence.
• Store these bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days, ensuring maximum freshness and flavor preservation.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 50 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 400
• Sugar: 20 g
• Sodium: 150 mg
• Fat: 25 g
• Saturated Fat: 15 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 45 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg