Salted Caramel Butter Bars
Delicious, homemade salted caramel butter bars combining sweet and savory flavors for a delightful treat.
Ingredients
For the crust
- 1 pound unsalted butter, at room temperature Room temperature for better mixing
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1.5 cups powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons vanilla extract Use pure vanilla extract for best flavor
- 4 cups all-purpose flour You can substitute with gluten-free flour
For the caramel layer
- 1 bag (14 oz) caramel candies (or 2 cups soft caramel bits) You can use store-bought caramel sauce as an alternative
- 1/3 cup heavy cream
- 0.5 to 1 teaspoon coarse sea salt Adjust to taste
Instructions
Preparation
- Preheat your oven to 325°F (165°C). Line a 9x13-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving extra paper hanging over the edges.
- In a large bowl, beat the softened butter until light and fluffy. Add granulated and powdered sugar and mix until combined. Stir in the vanilla extract.
- Gradually add all-purpose flour, mixing until a thick, cohesive dough forms.
Baking the Base
- Press about two-thirds of the dough into the bottom of the prepared pan evenly.
- Bake for about 20 minutes or until lightly golden.
Preparing Caramel
- While the crust is baking, combine caramel candies and heavy cream in a microwave-safe bowl and heat until smooth and fully combined.
Layering
- Pour the warm caramel over the baked crust and spread evenly. Sprinkle sea salt generously on top.
- Crumble the remaining dough over the caramel layer without pressing it down.
Final Baking
- Return the pan to the oven and bake for another 25-30 minutes, or until the topping is set and lightly golden.
Cooling and Serving
- Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan before using the excess parchment paper to lift them out and slice into squares.
Notes
Serve with whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream. These bars can be packaged for gifts.