Name: Salted Caramel Butter Bars Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 45 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 cup all-purpose flour; 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened; 1/4 cup powdered sugar; 1/4 teaspoon salt; 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; 1/4 teaspoon flaky sea salt, for sprinkling

Introduction

Salted Caramel Butter Bars are a delightful blend of rich buttery crust and gooey caramel filling, finished with a sprinkle of flaky sea salt. This treat offers the perfect balance of sweet and salty flavors that make it an irresistible dessert for any occasion. Easy to make and absolutely delicious, these bars are sure to become a favorite in your baking collection.

The image shows a close-up of square caramel bars arranged on a white plate. Each bar has three visible layers: a bottom crumbly light beige crust, a thick middle caramel layer with a rich dark brown color and glossy texture, and a top smooth caramel layer of a lighter tan shade. The top caramel layer is sprinkled with coarse white sea salt crystals that catch the light, creating a textured contrast against the smooth caramel. The plate sits on a white marbled surface, and a few crumbs and salt crystals are scattered around the bars. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

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

Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper to prevent sticking.

Step 2: In a mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, powdered sugar, and salt. Add the softened butter and mix until a crumbly dough forms.

Step 3: Press the dough evenly into the prepared pan. Bake for 15–18 minutes, or until the edges turn golden brown. Allow it to cool slightly.

Step 4: In a saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Stir in the brown sugar and sweetened condensed milk. Let the mixture simmer, stirring constantly, for 4–5 minutes until it thickens.

Step 5: Remove the saucepan from heat and stir in vanilla extract and salt. Pour this caramel mixture over the cooled crust and spread it evenly.

Step 6: Return the pan to the oven and bake for another 12–15 minutes, until the caramel is bubbly and golden.

Step 7: Let the bars cool completely. Once cooled, sprinkle the top with flaky sea salt. Lift the bars out of the pan using the parchment paper and slice into squares.

Tips & Variations

Use flaky sea salt for the top to add a delicate crunch and enhance the sweet-salty flavor contrast.

For a richer caramel, try adding a tablespoon of heavy cream while simmering the filling.

Substitute the all-purpose flour with gluten-free flour to make these bars gluten-free.

Chill the caramel filling briefly before spreading to prevent it from soaking into the crust.

FAQs

Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted?

Yes, but reduce or omit the additional salt in the recipe, especially the flaky sea salt to avoid making the bars too salty.

How do I know when the caramel filling is ready?

The caramel is ready when it has thickened and is bubbling gently while simmering. It should coat the back of a spoon, which means it will set nicely when baked.