Description
Salted Caramel Butter Bars feature a rich, buttery crust topped with a luscious, buttery caramel filling enhanced by a touch of sea salt. These baked bars offer an irresistible balance of sweet and salty flavors, making them perfect for holiday gatherings, gift-giving, or as an indulgent treat anytime.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Crust:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
For the Caramel Filling:
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- 1 cup packed brown sugar
- 1/2 cup sweetened condensed milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon salt (preferably flaky sea salt)
For the Topping:
- 1/4 teaspoon flaky sea salt (for sprinkling)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper for easy removal of the bars later.
- Prepare the Crust: In a bowl, combine the flour, powdered sugar, and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Add the softened butter and mix until a crumbly dough forms. Press this mixture evenly into the lined pan to create the base.
- Bake the Crust: Bake the crust in the preheated oven for 15–18 minutes, or until the edges turn golden brown. Remove from the oven and allow it to cool slightly while you prepare the caramel filling.
- Make the Caramel Filling: In a saucepan over medium heat, melt 1/2 cup unsalted butter. Add the brown sugar and sweetened condensed milk, stirring continuously. Let the mixture simmer for 4–5 minutes until it thickens and becomes smooth.
- Flavor the Caramel: Remove the saucepan from heat, then stir in the vanilla extract and 1/2 teaspoon flaky sea salt to enrich the flavor.
- Assemble and Bake Again: Pour the caramel filling evenly over the slightly cooled crust. Spread it out smoothly with a spatula. Return the pan to the oven and bake for another 12–15 minutes until the caramel is bubbly and golden.
- Cool and Finish: Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan. Once cooled, sprinkle the top with 1/4 teaspoon flaky sea salt for a perfect salty contrast. Lift the bars out of the pan using the parchment paper edges and slice into 12–16 squares for serving.
Notes
- Be sure to press the crust dough firmly and evenly into the pan for a sturdy base.
- Stir the caramel constantly while simmering to prevent burning or sticking.
- Use flaky sea salt both in the caramel and as a topping for best texture and flavor contrast.
- Allow bars to cool completely before slicing to ensure clean cuts.
- Store bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for longer freshness.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: salted caramel bars, caramel butter bars, sweet and salty dessert, homemade caramel bars, baked caramel bars
