Who can resist a delicious dessert? And when it comes to indulgence, salted caramel butter bars take the cake. With their buttery taste and gooey salted caramel filling, these bars are a treat that will have you coming back for more. Don’t be fooled by their simple appearance – their flavors are anything but ordinary.
Butter is the star of the show in these bars, with a full pound of it used in the crust. Yes, you read that right – a whole pound! It may sound crazy, but trust us, it’s what gives these bars their irresistible flavor. And let’s not forget the sprinkle of salt over the caramel filling, adding a delicious depth to every bite. Just make sure to cut them into smaller pieces, as they are rich and a little goes a long way.
Are you ready to bring this delightful dessert to life? Here’s what you’ll need:
Salted Caramel Bars
Serves 12-16 | Prep Time: 1 hour
Ingredients
- Crust/Topping:
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 pound (4 sticks) salted butter, room temperature
- 1 1/4 cups powdered sugar
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 1 1/2 tablespoons vanilla extract
- Filling:
- 50-60 caramel candies, unwrapped (14 oz. bag)
- 1/3 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 tablespoon sea salt
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Preparation
- Preheat the oven to 350º F. Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with non-stick spray.
- In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugars until fluffy and light in color, about 3-5 minutes.
- Mix in the vanilla extract, then gradually beat in the flour until a smooth dough forms.
- Take one-third of the dough and gently press it into the greased baking dish. Bake for 20 minutes.
- Wrap the remaining dough tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate for later use.
- Remove the crust from the oven when golden brown and let it cool.
- In a large, microwave-safe bowl, combine the unwrapped caramel candies and heavy cream. Microwave for 1 minute and stir vigorously until smooth. If not fully melted, microwave in 30-second increments, stirring in between.
- Stir in the vanilla extract, then pour the caramel over the cooled crust. Sprinkle the sea salt on top.
- Remove the chilled dough from the fridge and crumble it evenly over the caramel-topped crust.
- Place the baking dish in the oven and bake for 26-28 minutes, until the top crumble is light golden brown.
- Remove from the oven and let it cool completely. Cut into squares and enjoy!
Get ready to savor these delectable salted caramel butter bars. This recipe is sure to become a crowd-pleaser and will leave everyone asking for more. So why wait? Treat yourself and your loved ones to a slice of pure bliss! Recipe adapted from Recipe Diaries.