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- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened - 1 cup granulated sugar - 1 cup brown sugar, packed - 2 large eggs - 2 teaspoons vanilla extract - 3 cups all-purpose flour - 1 teaspoon baking powder - 1/2 teaspoon salt - 1 cup caramel sauce (store-bought or homemade) - 1 teaspoon sea salt for topping Using the best quality ingredients makes a big difference. Start with unsalted butter. This lets you control the salt level. Granulated and brown sugars add sweetness and depth. Brown sugar makes the bars chewy. The eggs give structure and moisture. Always use fresh eggs for the best results. Vanilla extract adds a warm flavor. Use real vanilla for the best taste. All-purpose flour gives the bars their body. Baking powder helps them rise. Finally, high-quality caramel sauce enhances richness. You can make your own or buy it. You can swap ingredients based on your needs. If you want a dairy-free option, use vegan butter. Coconut sugar can replace brown sugar. It changes the color but keeps the flavor. For a gluten-free version, use a gluten-free flour blend. You can replace caramel sauce with dulce de leche if you like. This gives a different but tasty flavor. If you want less sweetness, cut back on the sugars. Each change will give you a unique twist on this classic treat. {{ingredient_image_1}} To make these salted caramel butter bars, start by gathering all your ingredients. You need butter, sugars, eggs, vanilla, flour, baking powder, salt, and caramel sauce. This recipe is simple and quick, taking about 15 minutes to prep. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and prepare your baking pan. You can grease it or line it with parchment paper for easy removal. 1. In a large mixing bowl, beat 1 cup of softened unsalted butter with 1 cup of granulated sugar and 1 cup of packed brown sugar. Mix until creamy. 2. Add 2 large eggs one at a time. Mix well after each addition. Then, stir in 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract. 3. In another bowl, whisk together 3 cups of all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon of baking powder, and 1/2 teaspoon of salt. 4. Gradually add the dry mix to the wet mix. Stir until just combined. 5. Spread half of this dough in your prepared baking pan. Press it down evenly. 6. Pour 1 cup of caramel sauce over the dough. Use a spatula to spread it out well. 7. Crumble the remaining dough over the caramel. It’s fine if some caramel shows. 8. Sprinkle 1 teaspoon of sea salt on top. 9. Bake for 30-35 minutes. The top should look golden brown. A toothpick inserted should come out clean, but it may have some caramel bits. 10. Let the bars cool completely in the pan on a wire rack. Then cut them into squares or rectangles. To get the best texture, use softened butter, not melted. This keeps the bars tender. Don’t overmix the dough; mix just until combined. This helps keep the bars soft. Allow the bars to cool completely before cutting. This makes it easier to get neat squares. If you want a gooey center, bake for the shorter time. Enjoy experimenting! When making salted caramel butter bars, avoiding a few common mistakes can help. First, don't skip softening the butter. Cold butter makes it hard to mix. Also, be careful not to overmix the dough. This can lead to tough bars. Make sure to measure your flour correctly. Too much flour can make the bars dry. Lastly, watch the baking time closely. Every oven is different, so check for a golden top. To make these bars even better, consider adding a touch of cinnamon or nutmeg to the dough. This adds warmth to the flavor. You can also use dark brown sugar for a richer taste. If you like nuts, add some chopped pecans or walnuts. They add a nice crunch. For an extra caramel kick, use a homemade caramel sauce. It can elevate the taste and make it special. Lastly, don't forget the sea salt on top. It brings out the sweetness and makes each bite pop. When serving, cut the bars into neat squares or rectangles for a clean look. Place them on a decorative plate. For a charming touch, drizzle extra caramel sauce over the bars. A sprinkle of sea salt on top adds a nice visual and taste contrast. You could also serve them with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. This makes a delicious dessert combo. For a touch of elegance, add a sprig of mint on the side. It brightens the plate and adds a fresh hint. Pro Tips Use room temperature butter: This ensures that the butter blends easily with the sugars, creating a creamy texture for your bars. Don't overmix the dough: Mix until just combined to keep the bars tender and avoid a tough texture. Chill before cutting: Allow the bars to cool completely and, if possible, chill them in the refrigerator for easier slicing. Customize your caramel: Use flavored caramel sauce, such as sea salt or vanilla, to add an extra layer of flavor to your bars. {{image_2}} You can change the taste of your salted caramel butter bars by adding nuts or chocolate. Chopped nuts like pecans or walnuts give a nice crunch. Just mix in about 1 cup of nuts after you combine the dough. If you love chocolate, you can add chocolate chips. Use either semi-sweet or dark chocolate chips. Stir in 1 cup of chips to the dough before adding the caramel. To make your bars stand out, try different flavor infusions. You can use various salts for a twist. Flavored sea salts like smoked or garlic can add depth. Another option is to mix in a teaspoon of espresso powder to enhance the caramel flavor. You might enjoy a hint of cinnamon, too. Add 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon to the flour mixture for some warmth. If you need gluten-free bars, swap all-purpose flour for gluten-free flour. Look for a blend that works well in baking. This swap keeps the texture light and tasty. Make sure your caramel sauce is also gluten-free. Check the label to avoid any hidden gluten. You won't miss anything in flavor or texture with these changes. To keep your salted caramel butter bars fresh, let them cool first. Place them in an airtight container. This container helps to keep moisture in. You can layer the bars with parchment paper to prevent sticking. Store them at room temperature for up to five days. If you want them to last longer, refrigerate them. You can freeze these bars for later. First, cut them into squares. Wrap each square in plastic wrap. Then, place them in a freezer-safe bag. Make sure to squeeze out any air. These bars can stay fresh in the freezer for up to three months. When you want to eat them, thaw them at room temperature for a few hours. The shelf life of salted caramel butter bars is about five days at room temperature. They stay good in the fridge for up to two weeks. For the best taste, eat them within the first week. If you notice any changes in smell or texture, it is best to toss them out. Enjoy your delicious bars while they are fresh! To make caramel sauce, start with sugar. Use one cup of granulated sugar in a pan. Heat it over medium heat, stirring until it melts and turns golden brown. Be careful, as it can burn quickly. Once melted, add a half cup of heavy cream slowly. The mixture will bubble up, so stir well. Finally, add a pinch of sea salt for flavor. Let it cool before using. Yes, you can use different types of sugar. Brown sugar gives a rich flavor and moisture. Granulated sugar adds sweetness. You can also try coconut sugar for a unique taste. Just remember that each sugar affects the taste and texture of the bars. The texture depends on the butter and baking time. More butter makes the bars softer and chewier. If you bake them longer, they become firmer and crispier. The balance of flour also plays a role. Use less flour for chewy bars and more for crispy ones. This blog post covered key ingredients and made baking simple. We discussed how to choose the best flavors and substitutes. I shared step-by-step instructions for perfect texture and tips to avoid mistakes. You learned about tasty variations like nuts and gluten-free options. Finally, we covered storage tips to keep your bars fresh. Remember, baking is fun and creative. Use these insights to make your own delicious bars. Enjoy every bite!

Salted Caramel Butter Bars

Deliciously rich butter bars with a layer of salted caramel.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 12
Calories 250 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 cup brown sugar, packed
  • 2 large eggs
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 0.5 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup caramel sauce
  • 1 teaspoon sea salt for topping

Instructions
 

  • Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9x13 inch baking pan or line it with parchment paper for easy removal.
  • In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar together until creamy and well combined.
  • Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Then, stir in the vanilla extract until fully incorporated.
  • In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing until just combined.
  • Spread half of the dough mixture into the bottom of the prepared baking pan, pressing it down evenly.
  • Pour the caramel sauce over the layer of dough, spreading it evenly with a spatula.
  • Take the remaining dough and crumble it over the caramel layer to cover it as much as possible. Don't worry if it isn't perfect; some caramel can peek through.
  • Sprinkle the sea salt over the top of the bars.
  • Bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and a toothpick inserted comes out clean (it may have a few caramel bits).
  • Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack before cutting into squares or rectangles.

Notes

Serve the bars on a decorative plate, garnished with a drizzle of caramel sauce and a sprinkle of sea salt on top for an attractive finish.
Keyword butter bars, caramel, dessert