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Salted Caramel Butter Bars

Decadent Salted Caramel Butter Bars That Melt in Your Mouth

Salted Caramel Butter Bars are a delightful blend of buttery shortbread and gooey caramel, creating an unforgettable dessert experience.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 50 minutes
Cooling Time 1 hour
Total Time 2 hours 5 minutes
Servings: 16 slices
Course: Desserts
Cuisine: American
Calories: 320
Ingredients Equipment Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Shortbread Base
  • 1 pound Unsalted Butter use room temperature for the best blending and creaminess
  • 1 cup Granulated Sugar sweetens the dough, ensuring a rich flavor
  • 1.5 cups Powdered Sugar adds sweetness and a softer texture, can substitute granulated sugar
  • 2 tablespoons Vanilla Extract pure vanilla offers the best taste
  • 4 cups All-Purpose Flour can swap with a gluten-free flour blend
For the Gooey Caramel Layer
  • 1 bag Caramel Candies 14 oz bag or 2 cups soft caramel bits
  • ⅓ cup Heavy Cream crucial for melting the caramels smoothly
  • 0.5 to 1 teaspoon Coarse Sea Salt for that perfect salty-sweet flavor balance
For the Topping
  • Reserved Dough from the shortbread base, crumbled over the caramel layer

Equipment

  • mixing bowl
  • 9x13 inch baking pan
  • Parchment Paper
  • microwave-safe bowl

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Preheat your oven to 325°F (165°C) and line a 9x13-inch baking pan with parchment paper.
  2. In a large mixing bowl, beat butter with granulated and powdered sugar until light and fluffy, about 3-5 minutes. Stir in vanilla extract, then mix in flour until a thick dough forms.
  3. Press half to two-thirds of the dough into the bottom of the lined pan and bake for 20 minutes until lightly golden.
  4. While the crust bakes, unwrap caramel candies and combine with heavy cream in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave in 30-second intervals until smooth, stirring in between.
  5. Carefully pour the melted caramel over the warm crust, spreading it evenly. Sprinkle with coarse sea salt.
  6. Crumble the reserved dough over the caramel layer without pressing it down.
  7. Bake again for 25-30 minutes until topping is set and golden brown.
  8. Allow to cool in the pan, then chill for about 1 hour in the refrigerator before slicing into squares.

Nutrition

Serving: 1sliceCalories: 320kcalCarbohydrates: 45gProtein: 2gFat: 15gSaturated Fat: 9gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.5gMonounsaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 35mgSodium: 150mgPotassium: 100mgSugar: 24gVitamin A: 500IUCalcium: 20mgIron: 1mg

Notes

Enjoy warm with ice cream or additional caramel drizzle for an extra touch.

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