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
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.
Notes
- You can use homemade or store-bought caramel sauce.
- For extra richness, mix in toffee bits into the dough.
- Store leftovers in the fridge and bring to room temperature before serving.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 260
- Sugar: 16g
- Sodium: 120mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 40mg
