Name: Salted Caramel Butter Bars Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 1 h
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 cup unsalted butter, softened; 2/3 cup powdered sugar; 2 teaspoons vanilla extract; 2 cups all-purpose flour; 1/4 teaspoon salt; 1 cup caramel sauce (store-bought or homemade); 1/2 teaspoon flaky sea salt

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If you’re after a showstopper dessert that’s truly impossible to resist, look no further than Salted Caramel Butter Bars. These bars feature a melt-in-your-mouth buttery shortbread, ribbons of dreamy caramel, and a finishing sprinkle of flaky sea salt. The combination is pure magic: sweet, salty, rich, and utterly decadent, with each bite delivering a perfect mix of crumbly, chewy, and gooey. Get ready to fall in love with your new go-to treat!

Salted Caramel Butter Bars Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

The beauty of Salted Caramel Butter Bars lies in their simplicity. Each ingredient is a delicious essential, contributing richness, texture, or a hint of salt to balance the sweetness. Here’s what you’ll need and why:

Unsalted butter: This is the lush, creamy backbone of the shortbread and gives the bars their signature melt-in-your-mouth texture.
Powdered sugar: Blends seamlessly into the dough for a delicate sweetness and the softest crumb possible.
Vanilla extract: Adds depth and warmth, bringing the flavors together in every bite.
All-purpose flour: Provides body and structure to hold those layers of caramel and crumble together beautifully.
Salt: Balances out the sweetness and highlights the buttery flavor; just a hint makes all the difference.
Caramel sauce: The gooey, irresistible filling; you can use thick, store-bought or homemade for maximum impact.
Flaky sea salt: That final sprinkle adds eye-catching flair and addictive pops of salty crunch.

How to Make Salted Caramel Butter Bars

Step 1: Prepare Your Pan and Preheat the Oven

First things first: line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper, making sure it extends over the sides for easy removal. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) so it’s ready the moment your dough comes together. This ensures a quick, even bake and mess-free bars when you’re ready to slice.

Step 2: Cream the Butter and Sugar

In a large mixing bowl, use a hand mixer or stand mixer to cream the softened butter with the powdered sugar. You’ll know it’s ready when the mixture looks light, fluffy, and pale yellow. This aeration creates that luscious, tender shortbread foundation Salted Caramel Butter Bars are known for.

Step 3: Add Vanilla, Flour, and Salt

Beat in the vanilla for a little aromatic boost, then add the all-purpose flour and salt. Mix until just combined to form a soft, dreamy dough. Be careful not to overmix—stop when no dry flour remains for a tender crumb.

Step 4: Press and Par-Bake the Crust

Scoop out about two-thirds of the dough and gently press it into an even layer in your prepared pan. Aim for a smooth base—press down with your fingers or the flat bottom of a measuring cup. Bake this initial layer for about 15 minutes, or until the edges just start to turn golden. This helps set the base so it stays firm beneath the caramel.

Step 5: Add Caramel and Sea Salt

Once the crust has cooled slightly, pour your caramel sauce over the top. Use a spatula to spread it all the way to the edges for maximum gooey coverage. Sprinkle on the flaky sea salt, which will melt slightly into the caramel for puddles of salty goodness in every bite.

Step 6: Crumble on the Remaining Dough

Finally, take the rest of your dough and crumble it evenly over the caramel layer. It doesn’t need to cover the caramel completely; little pockets of exposed caramel are part of the charm! This top layer bakes up golden and crisp, perfectly contrasting the soft caramel underneath.

Step 7: Bake Again, Cool, and Slice

Pop the pan back in the oven and bake for another 25 to 30 minutes. You’ll know it’s ready when the top is lightly golden and the caramel is bubbling at the edges. Let the bars cool completely in the pan—even chill them for an hour—before carefully lifting out and slicing. This patience ensures perfect, clean cuts and gooey layers that stay put!

How to Serve Salted Caramel Butter Bars

Garnishes

Sprinkle a few extra flakes of sea salt on top of each bar just before serving for that irresistible salty bite. If you’re feeling extra fancy, a light drizzle of melted chocolate or caramel across the top creates a bakery-worthy finish that’ll have everyone oohing and ahhing.

Side Dishes

While Salted Caramel Butter Bars truly shine on their own, they play nicely with a scoop of vanilla or brown butter ice cream on the side. Fresh berries—think strawberries or raspberries—offer a refreshing, tart counterpoint to all that buttery richness.

Creative Ways to Present

Cut your bars into bite-sized cubes for a decadent dessert platter, or wrap individual bars in parchment and twine for a charming homemade gift. They also make a stunning finish to a casual dinner when stacked on a rustic wooden board sprinkled with extra flaky salt and a few caramel candies.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Once cool, store your Salted Caramel Butter Bars in an airtight container in the fridge. They’ll keep beautifully for up to a week, and actually taste even better after a day or two as the flavors meld and the caramel gets even gooier.

Freezing

Absolutely! These bars freeze like a dream. Wrap each one tightly in plastic and pop them in a zip-top bag; they’ll stay fresh for up to three months. When you’re ready to indulge, let them thaw at room temperature for the perfect texture.

Reheating

If you prefer your Salted Caramel Butter Bars a bit warm and melty, a quick 10 to 15 seconds in the microwave makes them extra luscious. Just watch that caramel—it heats up quickly! Bring them to room temperature first for an even heat-through.

FAQs

Can I use store-bought caramel sauce?

Definitely! A thick, high-quality store-bought caramel works beautifully and saves time. If you’re a caramel enthusiast, a homemade sauce really takes Salted Caramel Butter Bars over the top.

Can I double this Salted Caramel Butter Bars recipe?

Yes, you can double the recipe and bake it in a 9×13-inch pan—just add a few extra minutes to the baking times and keep an eye on the edges for doneness.

How do I get perfectly clean slices?

For those flawless bakery-style cuts, be sure the bars are fully chilled. Use a sharp knife, wiping it clean between each slice, for neat, tidy edges that let each luscious layer shine.

What can I use instead of flaky sea salt?

If you don’t have flaky sea salt, a small pinch of kosher salt will work, but try to avoid regular table salt since it can be harsh and overpowering.

Can these Salted Caramel Butter Bars be made gluten-free?

Absolutely! Swap in your favorite 1:1 gluten-free flour blend for the all-purpose flour. The bars will be just as rich and satisfying, though you may notice a slight difference in texture.

Final Thoughts

There’s something truly special about sharing Salted Caramel Butter Bars—a treat that brings together friends, family, and sweet moments. I hope you’ll try them soon and make them a repeat favorite in your own kitchen. Happy baking!

Salted Caramel Butter Bars Recipe

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4.9 from 22 reviews

Author: admin
Total Time: 1 hour
Yield: 16 bars 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

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Description

Indulge in these irresistible Salted Caramel Butter Bars that combine the rich flavors of caramel with a buttery shortbread crust, topped with a sprinkle of sea salt for the perfect balance of sweet and salty.

Ingredients

Scale

Shortbread Base:

1 cup unsalted butter, softened
2/3 cup powdered sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon salt

Topping:

1 cup caramel sauce (store-bought or homemade)
1/2 teaspoon flaky sea salt

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Instructions

Preheat and Prepare: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper.
Mix Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, cream the softened butter and powdered sugar until light and fluffy. Mix in the vanilla extract.
Add Flour and Salt: Add the flour and salt, mix until a soft dough forms.
Prepare Crust: Press two-thirds of the dough evenly into the bottom of the pan. Bake for 15 minutes until edges turn golden.
Add Caramel: After cooling for 5 minutes, pour caramel sauce over the baked crust, spread evenly. Sprinkle with sea salt.
Add Topping: Crumble the remaining dough over the caramel. Bake for 25-30 minutes until golden and bubbly.
Cool and Chill: Let bars cool in the pan, then chill for 1 hour before slicing.