Description
Homemade salted caramel butter bars deliver rich, buttery layers of indulgence straight from family kitchens. Sweet and salty notes blend perfectly, creating irresistible dessert bars that welcome hungry friends around the table.
Ingredients
Scale
- 3 cups (720 ml) all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ cups (340 g) salted butter, at room temperature
- 14 oz (397 g) caramel candies, unwrapped
- ¾ cup (150 g) granulated sugar
- 1 ¼ cups (150 g) powdered sugar
- 1 ½ tbsps (22 ml) vanilla extract
- ⅓ cup (80 ml) heavy cream
- Flake sea salt, to taste
Instructions
- Preparation: Preheat oven to 325°F and coat a 9×13-inch baking dish with nonstick spray.
- Butter Mixture: Cream butter, granulated and powdered sugars in a stand mixer until light and fluffy, then blend in vanilla extract.
- Dough Formation: Fold flour into the butter mixture, creating a soft, cohesive dough. Divide the dough, pressing half evenly into the prepared dish and refrigerating the remaining portion.
- Initial Baking: Bake the pressed dough for 15-20 minutes until edges turn a delicate golden color. Cool on a wire rack for 15 minutes.
- Caramel Layer: Microwave caramel candies with heavy cream, stirring until smooth. Incorporate vanilla extract and drizzle evenly over the cooled crust. Sprinkle flake sea salt for a sweet-savory contrast.
- Topping and Final Bake: Crumble the chilled dough over the caramel layer, creating a rustic top. Return to the oven and bake for 25-30 minutes until caramel bubbles and surface becomes golden brown.
- Serving: Allow bars to cool completely before cutting into 24 precise squares, revealing layers of buttery decadence.
Notes
- Select Precise Oven Temperature: Use exactly 325°F for consistent golden-brown crust without burning.
- Master Butter Mixing Technique: Blend sugars and butter for full 2 minutes to achieve light, creamy texture that guarantees perfect consistency.
- Control Caramel Melting Process: Microwave caramel carefully, stirring frequently to prevent scorching and ensure smooth, glossy finish.
- Strategic Cooling Approach: Let bars cool completely before cutting to maintain structural integrity and clean, sharp edges.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40-50 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 13
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 23 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 14 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 38 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 60 mg