Dreamy Salted Caramel Butter Bars Recipe: Melt-in-Your-Mouth Joy

My love for decadent salted caramel butter bars started during a cozy weekend baking experiment that surprised even me.

Sweet meets salty in this irresistible treat that melts effortlessly on your tongue.

Layers of buttery goodness create a texture so rich you’ll want to savor every single bite.

Kitchen magic happens when simple ingredients combine into something extraordinary.

Crumbly, golden edges hint at the deliciousness waiting inside these incredible bars.

Each square promises a perfect balance of sweetness and subtle saltiness that will make your taste buds dance.

Come experience a dessert that turns an ordinary moment into something truly memorable.

Why Salted Caramel Butter Bars Are So Good

• Create Irresistible Layers: These salted caramel butter bars offer a delightful texture adventure with crumbly base, gooey caramel, and tender crumble topping that melts in your mouth.
• Simplify Baking Process: Minimal ingredients and straightforward mixing technique make this recipe perfect for bakers of all skill levels, from beginners to experienced home cooks.
• Crowd-Pleasing Dessert: The combination of sweet caramel and salty notes creates a universally loved treat that works brilliantly for potlucks, family gatherings, and casual celebrations.
• Customize with Ease: Swap caramel sauce with chocolate or add nuts to personalize the bars, making them adaptable to different taste preferences and pantry ingredients.

Ingredients for Salted Caramel Butter Bars

• Butter: A rich, creamy foundation that provides tender texture and deep flavor to the bars.
• Brown Sugar, Granulated Sugar: Sweet ingredients that add complex caramelized notes and structure to the dessert.
• Flour: The primary dry ingredient that creates the tender, crumbly base and topping.

• Sea Salt: Adds a sophisticated contrast to the sweet caramel and balances the overall taste.

• Caramel Sauce: A luxurious, golden liquid that introduces a rich, buttery sweetness throughout the dessert.

How to Make Salted Caramel Butter Bars

Step 1: Warm Up the Oven

Set your oven to 350F (175C) and line an 8×8 inch baking pan with parchment paper, ensuring the edges hang over for easy removal.

Step 2: Create the Buttery Base

• Softened butter
• Brown sugar
• Granulated sugar

Beat these ingredients until they transform into a light, fluffy mixture that looks like a cloud of sweetness.

Step 3: Craft the Crumbly Dough

• All-purpose flour
• Sea salt

Mix until the ingredients just come together, creating a delightfully crumbly texture that will melt in your mouth.

Step 4: Build the Foundation

Take about two-thirds of the dough and press it firmly into the prepared baking pan, creating a solid, even base that will support the caramel magic.

Step 5: Drizzle Caramel Goodness

Pour warm caramel sauce over the dough base, spreading it evenly to ensure every bite will be a heavenly caramel experience.

Step 6: Add the Crumbly Topping

Sprinkle the remaining dough over the caramel layer, creating a rustic, tempting surface that will turn golden and crispy.

Step 7: Bake to Perfection

Slide the pan into the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes. Look for edges that turn a beautiful golden brown, signaling the bars are ready.

Step 8: Cool and Slice

Remove from the oven and let the bars cool completely. Use the parchment paper to lift the entire batch out, then slice into delectable squares.

Tips for Salted Caramel Butter Bars Success

• Use parchment paper with overhang for easy bar removal and clean cutting.
• Warm caramel sauce slightly before pouring to ensure smooth, even spreading across the base layer.
• Don't overmix the dough; keep it slightly loose for that perfect sandy, melt-in-your-mouth texture.
• Watch bars closely during final 5-10 minutes of baking to prevent over-browning while ensuring crisp edges.
• Keep bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days, separating layers with parchment to maintain texture.

Variations to Try with Salted Caramel Butter Bars

• Chocolate Drizzle Bars: Replace caramel sauce with melted dark chocolate, drizzling it over the crumbly dough layers for a rich, decadent variation.
• Nutty Crunch Edition: Incorporate chopped pecans or almonds into the dough and sprinkle extra nuts on top for added texture and flavor.
• Gluten-Free Friendly: Swap regular flour with almond flour or gluten-free flour blend to make the bars suitable for those with gluten sensitivities.
• Vegan Caramel Option: Use coconut oil instead of butter, plant-based caramel sauce, and coconut sugar to create a dairy-free and vegan-friendly version of the bars.

Best Pairings for Salted Caramel Butter Bars

Sip a rich, sweet Sauternes or late-harvest Riesling that complements the buttery caramel notes, enhancing the bar’s luxurious sweetness.

Enjoy a velvety smooth cappuccino or dark roast espresso to cut through the richness and provide a bold, contrasting flavor profile.

Top the warm salted caramel bar with a scoop of creamy vanilla ice cream, creating a delightful temperature and texture contrast.

Sprinkle chopped roasted almonds or pecans alongside the bars to add a crunchy texture and enhance the salt-caramel experience.

How to Store Salted Caramel Butter Bars

• Store bars in an airtight container with parchment paper between layers for up to 5 days. Keep chilled to maintain texture and prevent caramel from melting.
• Wrap individual bars tightly in plastic wrap, then place in freezer-safe container. Freeze for 2-3 months. Thaw overnight in refrigerator before serving.
• Let bars sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes before enjoying. Avoid direct sunlight or warm areas to preserve caramel consistency.
• Warm slightly in microwave for 10-15 seconds on low power. Alternatively, place in preheated oven at 300F for 3-5 minutes to restore softness and enhance caramel flavor.

FAQs

• Can I use homemade caramel sauce instead of store-bought?

Yes, homemade caramel sauce works perfectly and can enhance the flavor of the bars with a more fresh and rich taste.

• What type of flour works best for this recipe?

All-purpose flour is ideal for creating the perfect texture in these salted caramel butter bars. Use fresh, unbleached flour for the best results.

• How do I know when the bars are perfectly baked?

Look for golden brown edges and a slightly set center. The bars will continue to firm up as they cool, so avoid overbaking.

• Is it necessary to use sea salt in the recipe?

Sea salt is recommended as it provides a better flavor balance and enhances the caramel’s sweetness. However, you can substitute with kosher salt if needed.

Salted Caramel Butter Bars Recipe

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4.9 from 36 reviews

• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: 16 1x

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Description

Salted caramel butter bars deliver a heavenly blend of sweet and salty sensations that dance across taste buds. Rich buttery layers meld with smooth caramel, creating an irresistible dessert you’ll crave long after the last delectable crumb disappears.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup unsalted butter (softened)
• 1 cup brown sugar (packed)
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar

Sweet Enhancers:

• 1 cup caramel sauce (store-bought or homemade)
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup chocolate chips (optional)

Seasoning:

• 1/2 teaspoon sea salt

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Instructions

1. Prepare the baking workspace by lining an 8×8 inch pan with parchment paper and heating the oven to 350F (175C).
2. Blend softened butter with brown and granulated sugars using an electric mixer until the mixture becomes airy and pale.
3. Incorporate flour and sea salt into the butter mixture, mixing until a slightly crumbly texture forms.
4. Transfer approximately two-thirds of the dough into the prepared pan, gently pressing to create an even base layer.
5. Warm the caramel sauce until it reaches a smooth, pourable consistency.
6. Carefully drizzle and spread the caramel sauce across the dough base, ensuring uniform coverage.
7. Sprinkle the remaining dough over the caramel layer, creating a rustic, crumbly topping.
8. Slide the pan into the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, watching for golden-brown edges as an indicator of doneness.
9. Remove from oven and allow the bars to cool completely at room temperature before cutting into squares.

Notes

• Adjust butter temperature carefully to ensure smooth, creamy texture without overbeating.
• Use high-quality caramel sauce or homemade for richer, more intense flavor profile.
• Create gluten-free version by substituting all-purpose flour with almond or coconut flour blend.
• Enhance salt balance by using flaky sea salt as a final garnish just before serving for extra crunch and flavor depth.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 16
• Calories: 234
• Sugar: 20 g
• Sodium: 85 mg
• Fat: 11 g
• Saturated Fat: 7 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
• Trans Fat: 0.2 g
• Carbohydrates: 31 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 2 g
• Cholesterol: 30 mg