Salted Caramel Gooey Butter Bars Recipe
Introduction
Salted Caramel Gooey Butter Bars are a decadent treat combining a buttery crumb crust with a rich, gooey filling and luscious salted caramel drizzle. Perfect for caramel lovers, these bars offer a delightful balance of sweet and salty flavors in every bite.
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup water
- 1 cup sugar
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter (cut into tablespoon-sized pieces)
- 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream (room temperature)
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 3 tablespoons sugar
- 5 tablespoons unsalted butter (cold and cut into tablespoon-sized pieces)
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 3/4 cup unsalted butter (room temperature)
- 1/4 cup light corn syrup
- 1 large egg
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 2/3 cup evaporated milk
Instructions
- Step 1: Prepare the salted caramel by combining the water and 1 cup sugar in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir until the sugar dissolves. Allow the mixture to boil without stirring until it turns an amber color. Remove from heat and carefully add the 6 tablespoons butter and heavy whipping cream while stirring until smooth. Stir in the salt and set aside.
- Step 2: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). In a mixing bowl, combine 1 cup flour and 3 tablespoons sugar. Cut in the cold 5 tablespoons butter until the mixture becomes crumbly. Press this crust mixture evenly into a greased 9×13 inch baking pan.
- Step 3: In a separate bowl, beat the room temperature 3/4 cup butter with 3/4 cup sugar until light and fluffy. Mix in the light corn syrup and egg until combined. Gradually add 1 cup flour and evaporated milk, mixing until smooth.
- Step 4: Pour the batter over the prepared crust. Drizzle half of the salted caramel over the top. Bake for about 50 minutes, or until the center is slightly jiggly but mostly set. Let cool completely before cutting into bars. Drizzle the remaining caramel over the bars before serving.
Tips & Variations
- Use room temperature ingredients for smoother batter and better mixing.
- For a deeper caramel flavor, sprinkle a pinch of flaky sea salt on top just before serving.
- Substitute evaporated milk with whole milk for a lighter filling texture.
- Chill the bars after baking to make cutting cleaner and easier.
Storage
Store the salted caramel gooey butter bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or refrigerate for up to a week. When ready to serve, let refrigerated bars come to room temperature or warm slightly in the microwave for a few seconds to regain gooeyness.
How to Serve
Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I make the salted caramel ahead of time?
Yes, the salted caramel can be made a day in advance and stored in the refrigerator. Reheat gently before drizzling over the bars.
What if I don’t have evaporated milk?
You can substitute evaporated milk with an equal amount of whole milk, but the filling may be slightly less rich and creamy.
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Salted Caramel Gooey Butter Bars Recipe
- Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Yield: 12 bars 1x
Description
Indulge in these luscious Salted Caramel Gooey Butter Bars that combine a buttery crust with a rich, gooey filling topped with homemade salted caramel. Perfectly balanced with sweet and salty flavors, these bars are baked to gooey perfection and make a delightful treat for any occasion.
Ingredients
Salted Caramel:
- 1/4 cup water
- 1 cup sugar
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter (cut into tablespoon-sized pieces)
- 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream (room temperature)
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Crust:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 3 tablespoons sugar
- 5 tablespoons unsalted butter (cold and cut into tablespoon-sized pieces)
Filling:
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 3/4 cup unsalted butter (room temperature)
- 1/4 cup light corn syrup
- 1 large egg
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 2/3 cup evaporated milk
Instructions
- Make the Salted Caramel: Combine water and sugar in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir until sugar dissolves, then let the mixture boil without stirring until it turns an amber color. Remove from heat and carefully add butter and room temperature heavy cream while stirring continuously until the caramel sauce is smooth. Stir in salt and set aside to cool slightly.
- Prepare the Crust: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). In a mixing bowl, whisk together the flour and sugar. Add the cold butter pieces and blend using your fingers or a pastry cutter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Press this crumbly mixture evenly into the bottom of a greased 9×13 inch baking pan to form the crust.
- Make the Filling: In a separate bowl, beat the room temperature butter and sugar together until light and fluffy. Add the light corn syrup and egg, beating until combined. Gradually mix in the flour and evaporated milk until smooth.
- Assemble and Bake: Pour the prepared filling evenly over the pressed crust in the baking pan. Drizzle half of the reserved salted caramel sauce over the top of the filling. Bake in the preheated oven for about 50 minutes, or until the center is slightly jiggly but mostly set.
- Cool and Glaze: Remove the bars from the oven and let them cool completely in the pan. Once cool, drizzle the remaining salted caramel sauce over the top. Cut into bars and serve.
Notes
- Be careful when making caramel; hot sugar can cause burns.
- Room temperature butter mixes more easily for a fluffy filling.
- Do not overbake; the center should remain slightly jiggly for perfect gooey texture.
- Use a sharp knife to cut clean bars after cooling.
- Store bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for longer freshness.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: salted caramel, gooey butter bars, dessert bars, caramel bars, sweet dessert, buttery crust
