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
Scale
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
