Salted Caramel Butter Bars Recipe

Introduction

Salted Caramel Butter Bars combine a rich, buttery crust with a luscious caramel filling, topped with flaky sea salt for the perfect sweet and salty balance. This easy-to-make treat is ideal for satisfying dessert cravings or sharing at any gathering.

Ingredients

• For the Crust:
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter (softened)
• 1/4 cup powdered sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• For the Caramel Filling:
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter
• 1 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/2 cup sweetened condensed milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon salt (preferably flaky sea salt)
• For the Topping:
• 1/4 teaspoon flaky sea salt (for sprinkling)

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper.
2. Step 2: In a bowl, combine flour, powdered sugar, and salt. Add the softened butter and mix until a crumbly dough forms.
3. Step 3: Press the dough evenly into the prepared pan. Bake for 15 to 18 minutes, or until the edges turn golden brown. Set aside to cool slightly.
4. Step 4: In a saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter for the caramel filling. Stir in brown sugar and sweetened condensed milk, and simmer while stirring continuously for 4 to 5 minutes until thickened.
5. Step 5: Remove the saucepan from heat. Stir in vanilla extract and salt, then pour the caramel mixture evenly over the cooled crust.
6. Step 6: Return the pan to the oven and bake for another 12 to 15 minutes until the caramel is bubbly and golden.
7. Step 7: Let the bars cool completely. Sprinkle with flaky sea salt, then lift them out of the pan using the parchment paper. Slice into 12 to 16 bars and enjoy.

Tips & Variations

• Use flaky sea salt for topping to enhance the textural contrast and bring out deeper caramel flavor.
• For extra richness, consider adding a handful of chopped nuts like pecans or walnuts into the caramel before baking.
• Make sure the butter for the crust is softened but not melted to achieve the perfect crumbly texture.

Storage

Store the bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days. For longer storage, keep them refrigerated for up to one week. Reheat briefly in a warm oven or microwave before serving to soften the caramel if desired.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted?

Yes, but reduce or omit the added salt in both the crust and caramel to prevent the bars from becoming overly salty.

Can I make these bars ahead of time?

Absolutely. These bars keep well and can be baked a day in advance. Just store them properly to maintain freshness.

Salted Caramel Butter Bars Recipe

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★★★★★

4.8 from 93 reviews

• Author: Marina
• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 12 to 16 bars 1x

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Description

Salted Caramel Butter Bars combine a rich, buttery crust with a luscious homemade caramel filling, topped with flaky sea salt for the perfect sweet and salty indulgence. These bars are easy to make and perfect for dessert lovers seeking a multi-layered treat with a delightful balance of flavors and textures.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

For the Crust:

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1/4 cup powdered sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon salt

For the Caramel Filling:

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter
• 1 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/2 cup sweetened condensed milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon salt, preferably flaky sea salt

For the Topping:

• 1/4 teaspoon flaky sea salt, for sprinkling

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Instructions

1. Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper to prevent sticking and allow easy removal of bars.
2. Make the Crust: In a bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, powdered sugar, and salt. Add the softened unsalted butter and mix until a crumbly dough forms. Press this evenly into the prepared pan to form the crust layer.
3. Bake the Crust: Bake the crust in the preheated oven for 15 to 18 minutes or until it is golden brown around the edges. Remove from oven and let it cool slightly to prepare for the caramel topping.
4. Prepare the Caramel Filling: In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt the unsalted butter. Stir in the packed brown sugar and sweetened condensed milk. Simmer the mixture while stirring continuously for 4 to 5 minutes until it thickens into a rich caramel.
5. Flavor the Caramel: Remove the saucepan from heat, then stir in the vanilla extract and flaky sea salt, blending the flavors thoroughly.
6. Assemble and Bake: Pour the warm caramel filling over the cooled crust, spreading it evenly across the surface. Bake again for 12 to 15 minutes until the caramel topping becomes bubbly and takes on a golden color.
7. Cool and Serve: Allow the bars to cool completely to set the caramel. Once cooled, sprinkle the top with the remaining flaky sea salt, lift the bars out using the parchment paper, and cut into 12 to 16 bars for serving.

Notes

• Make sure the butter for the crust is softened but not melted to achieve the right crumbly texture.
• Simmer the caramel filling gently and continuously stir to prevent burning or curdling.
• Let the bars cool fully before cutting so the caramel can set properly and bars hold their shape.
• For an extra touch, choose high-quality flaky sea salt to enhance the salted caramel flavor contrast.
• Store bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for longer freshness.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Keywords: Salted caramel bars, caramel dessert, buttery crust, homemade caramel, baked caramel bars, sweet and salty dessert