Description
Rich, buttery, and indulgent Salted Caramel Butter Bars feature layers of golden shortbread and luscious caramel filling, topped with a touch of sea salt for the perfect sweet-salty balance. These melt-in-your-mouth bars are bakery-quality yet simple to make at home.
Ingredients
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ¾ cup brown sugar, packed
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 ½ cups caramel sauce (store-bought or homemade)
- ½ teaspoon flaky sea salt, for sprinkling
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325°F (160°C). Line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang for easy removal.
- In a large mixing bowl, cream together the butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
- Mix in the vanilla extract until combined.
- Gradually add flour and salt, mixing until a soft dough forms.
- Press about two-thirds of the dough evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan.
- Bake for 20 minutes, or until lightly golden. Remove and let cool slightly.
- Spread the caramel sauce evenly over the baked crust.
- Crumble the remaining dough over the caramel layer.
- Sprinkle with flaky sea salt.
- Bake for another 25–30 minutes, until the top is golden brown and set.
- Cool completely before slicing. The caramel will firm up as it cools.
Notes
Use high-quality caramel for the best flavor and texture.Let bars cool fully before cutting to prevent caramel from oozing.Flaky sea salt adds the perfect touch—avoid fine table salt.Store at room temperature for 3 days or refrigerate for up to a week.Reheat briefly in the microwave for soft, gooey caramel.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 290
- Sugar: 23g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 17g
- Saturated Fat: 11g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 33g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 45mg
