How to Make the Best Salted Caramel Butter Bars at Home

If you’re looking for the ultimate indulgent treat, salted caramel butter bars are your new obsession. With a melt-in-your-mouth buttery crust, gooey caramel center, and a perfect touch of sea salt, these bars strike the perfect balance between sweet and salty. One bite is never enough — and once you try them, you’ll be hooked. Keep reading to discover what makes these bars so irresistible and how you can easily whip up a batch at home.

Ingredients

• 1 cup unsalted butter softened
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 and one half teaspoons vanilla extract
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• one half teaspoon salt
• 1 cup soft caramel candies unwrapped
• one third cup heavy cream
• one half teaspoon sea salt for sprinkling

Equipment

• 9×9 inch baking pan
• Mixing bowls
• Electric mixer
• Medium saucepan
• Whisk
• Rubber spatula
• Parchment paper
• Cooling rack

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a 9×9 inch baking pan with parchment paper, making sure to leave a little overhang on two sides so you can lift the bars out easily once cooled.
2. Step 2: In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and sugar with an electric mixer until the mixture is fluffy and pale. This usually takes two or three minutes. This airy texture is key to a tender crust.
3. Step 3: Mix in the vanilla extract just until combined. It may seem like a small addition, but good vanilla really deepens the buttery richness.
4. Step 4: Gradually add in the flour and salt, mixing on low speed. The dough should come together as a soft and pliable mass. If it looks dry, continue mixing — it comes together with time.
5. Step 5: Divide the dough into two equal halves. Press one half evenly across the bottom of the lined pan to form a base. Pop the remaining half in the fridge while the crust bakes.
6. Step 6: Bake the crust in the preheated oven for about 15 to 18 minutes. You want it just lightly golden around the edges. Remove it from the oven and set aside to cool slightly while you prepare the caramel.
7. Step 7: In a medium saucepan, add the unwrapped caramel candies and heavy cream. Melt them together over medium-low heat, stirring constantly with a whisk. Keep your heat low — caramel scorches easily. Once smooth and fully melted, turn off the heat.
8. Step 8: Pour the warm caramel over the crust and spread it gently with a spatula. Take it all the way to the edges for even coverage. Sprinkle the sea salt evenly across the caramel while it is still warm so it sticks.
9. Step 9: Remove the reserved dough from the fridge. Use your fingers to crumble it roughly over the caramel layer, like you are topping a fruit crisp.
10. Step 10: Return the pan to the oven and bake for another 18 to 20 minutes or until the top is a soft golden color and the caramel bubbles around the edges.
11. Step 11: Let the bars cool completely in the pan on a cooling rack. This part takes patience but is important — cutting warm bars will make a gooey mess. Once cooled, lift them out with the parchment, slice into squares, and savor every bite.

Nutrition per serving

Description

Prepare to fall in love at first bite with these decadent Salted Caramel Butter Bars. Imagine a buttery, rich shortbread crust that melts in your mouth, layered with gooey golden caramel that flows like liquid gold. The top is finished with crumbles of buttery dough, baked until golden brown, and kissed with a final sprinkle of sea salt. These bars are a masterclass in balance — sweet meets salty, soft meets crumbly — and the result is pure dessert nirvana.

One taste of these irresistible bars immediately transports you to cozy memories of fall fairs and grandma’s kitchen. The caramel is velvety smooth with just the right note of salt to cut through its sweetness, while the crust is soft yet firm enough to hold it all together. Whether served at a holiday party, shared at a bake sale, or saved as a late night indulgence, Salted Caramel Butter Bars have a special way of turning moments into memories.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This recipe is a home baker’s dream. It uses simple pantry staples like butter, sugar, and flour to create bakery-worthy bars without any complicated steps. The process is comforting and straightforward — mix, layer, bake, and enjoy. It is the kind of recipe that impresses family and friends but is easy enough to make on a lazy Sunday afternoon.

The flexibility of the salted caramel butter bars is another reason to love them. They pair as well with a festive holiday spread as they do with a summer picnic. Want to prep ahead? No problem. These bars store beautifully in the fridge or freezer, making them ideal for planning in advance.

Serving and Storage Tips

Serve these bars at room temperature for the best texture and flavor. If you prefer them warm, give them just 10 to 15 seconds in the microwave for a melty caramel treat. They also pair wonderfully with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a hot cup of coffee.

To store, place the bars in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to one week. For longer storage, freeze them individually wrapped in plastic wrap, then placed in a freezer-safe container for up to three months. To thaw, leave them at room temperature for about one hour before serving. You can also prepare the shortbread base one day ahead and store it in the fridge until ready to bake.

For a twist, try mixing a teaspoon of espresso powder into the caramel for a deeper, mocha flavor. Or sprinkle chopped toasted almonds on top of the caramel layer for a bit of crunch and contrast.

FAQ

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