Description

Salted Caramel Butter Bars are a decadent treat featuring a buttery, crumbly crust topped with a rich and gooey caramel filling, finished with a sprinkle of flaky sea salt for the perfect sweet and salty balance. These bars are baked to golden perfection and offer a luscious dessert experience ideal for special occasions or everyday indulgence.

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 and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper to ensure easy removal of the bars after baking.
Make the Crust: In a bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, powdered sugar, and salt. Add the softened unsalted butter and mix until you form a crumbly dough. Press this mixture evenly into the prepared baking pan to form the crust layer.
Bake the Crust: Bake the crust in the preheated oven for 15 to 18 minutes until the edges turn golden brown. Remove it from the oven and allow it to cool slightly while you prepare the caramel filling.
Prepare the Caramel Filling: In a saucepan over medium heat, melt the unsalted butter. Stir in the brown sugar and sweetened condensed milk. Bring the mixture to a simmer and continue stirring for 4 to 5 minutes until the filling thickens and becomes glossy.
Add Flavorings: Remove the saucepan from heat and stir in the vanilla extract and flaky sea salt to enhance the caramel’s flavor.
Assemble and Bake: Pour the caramel filling evenly over the cooled crust, spreading it out smoothly. Return the pan to the oven and bake for another 12 to 15 minutes until the caramel layer is bubbly and golden.
Cool and Serve: Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan. Once cooled, sprinkle the top generously with flaky sea salt for added texture and flavor. Lift the bars out of the pan using the parchment paper and slice into 12 to 16 individual bars.

Notes

Ensure the butter for the crust is softened, not melted, to achieve the perfect crumbly texture.
Stir the caramel mixture continuously while simmering to prevent burning or sticking to the pan.
Use flaky sea salt for the best texture and flavor contrast on top of the bars.
Bars can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerated for up to a week.
For easier cutting, chill the bars before slicing.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Keywords: Salted caramel bars, caramel dessert, buttery crust, sweet and salty dessert, homemade caramel bars, baked caramel treats