Irresistibly Gooey Salted Caramel Butter Bars Recipe

Sinking your teeth into a decadent salted caramel butter bars dream that melts perfectly on your tongue.

Sweet and salty flavors dance together in this irresistible treat.

Buttery layers promise an indulgent experience that will make your taste buds sing.

Each crumbly bite carries a rich, golden essence of pure comfort.

Crisp edges hint at the delightful texture waiting to surprise you.

Rich caramel swirls through delicate pastry, creating a symphony of deliciousness.

Grab a plate and get ready for a dessert that feels like a warm hug from your favorite bakery.

Reasons To Crave Salted Caramel Butter Bars

• Unleash Irresistible Sweet-Salty Harmony: Experience the perfect balance of buttery sweetness and rich sea salt that creates a mouth-watering flavor explosion in every single bite.
• Effortless Baking Bliss: Whip up these bars with simple ingredients and straightforward steps, making it a dream recipe for both novice and experienced bakers looking for a quick dessert solution.
• Textural Wonderland: Enjoy a delightful contrast between the crumbly, tender crust and the gooey, luxurious caramel layer that melts in your mouth with each heavenly square.
• Crowd-Pleasing Dessert Magic: Impress friends and family with a versatile treat that works brilliantly for casual gatherings, potlucks, or as a comforting sweet indulgence after dinner.

What You’ll Need For Salted Caramel Butter Bars

• Butter, Granulated Sugar, Brown Sugar: The core of the rich, sweet base that creates a tender, crumbly texture for the bars.
• Flour, Salt: Essential dry ingredients that help bind the dough and provide subtle seasoning.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds depth and warmth to the overall flavor profile.

• Caramel Sauce: The star ingredient that brings a luxurious, sweet element to the bars.
• Sea Salt: Enhances the caramel's flavor, creating a perfect balance between sweet and salty.

• Parchment Paper: Helps with easy removal and prevents sticking to the baking pan.

How To Prepare Salted Caramel Butter Bars

Step 1: Prepare the Baking Canvas

Grab a 9×13-inch baking pan and line it with parchment paper. Alternatively, give the pan a light coating of cooking spray. Fire up the oven to a cozy 325°F (165°C), creating the perfect warm environment for your delectable treat.

Step 2: Whip Up the Magical Dough

• Softened butter
• Granulated sugar
• Brown sugar

Cream these ingredients until they transform into a fluffy cloud of deliciousness. Splash in some vanilla extract for an extra flavor boost. Gently fold in flour and salt, mixing until the dough becomes a crumbly wonderland.

Step 3: Create the Delicious Foundation

Spread half of your dreamy dough across the bottom of the pan, pressing it down to form an even, golden crust. Slide the pan into the preheated oven and bake for 15 minutes until it turns a light golden color. Carefully remove and let it cool slightly.

Step 4: Craft the Caramel Masterpiece

In a small bowl, blend caramel sauce with sea salt. Play around with the salt levels to match your taste buds’ desires. This is where you become the flavor artist!

Step 5: Drizzle the Liquid Gold

Generously pour the salted caramel sauce over the partially baked crust, ensuring an even distribution of sweet and salty goodness.

Step 6: Crown with Crumbly Topping

Sprinkle the remaining dough over the caramel layer like a delicate blanket. Aim for an even coverage that will make your bars look absolutely irresistible.

Step 7: Bake to Perfection

Return the pan to the oven and let it bake for 25-30 minutes. Watch for a light golden top that signals your bars are ready to become a legendary dessert.

Step 8: Patience Brings Sweetness

Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan. For picture-perfect slices, pop the pan in the refrigerator for 30 minutes before cutting. This helps the bars set and makes cutting a breeze.

Helpful Hints For Salted Caramel Butter Bars

• Customize Caramel Intensity: Adjust the sea salt in the caramel sauce to balance sweetness and saltiness, creating a personalized flavor profile that suits your taste buds.
• Perfect Crumbly Texture: Use room temperature butter and mix just until the dough becomes crumbly to ensure a tender, melt-in-your-mouth crust that doesn't become tough.
• Slice with Precision: Chill the bars in the refrigerator for 30 minutes before cutting to get clean, sharp edges and prevent the caramel from smearing during slicing.
• Enhance Flavor Variations: Experiment with different types of salt like flaky Maldon or pink Himalayan to add unique depth and complexity to the caramel layer.
• Storage Savvy: Store bars in an airtight container at room temperature for 3-4 days or refrigerate for up to a week to maintain their delicious texture and flavor.

How To Keep Salted Caramel Butter Bars Fresh And Warm

• Refrigerate: Store cooled salted caramel butter bars in an airtight container within the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Separate layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
• Freeze: Wrap individual bars tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. Properly stored, they'll maintain quality for 23 months.
• Reheat: Restore softness by letting bars sit at room temperature for 15 minutes before serving. For a warm treat, microwave individual bars for 810 seconds on low power.
• Texture Tip: Refrigeration helps maintain the bars' structure and prevents caramel from becoming too runny, ensuring a delightful, consistent bite every time.

Great Matches For Salted Caramel Butter Bars

• Craft a Wine Companion: Pair these decadent salted caramel butter bars with a late harvest Riesling or a sweet Moscato. The wine's honeyed notes beautifully complement the rich caramel, creating a luxurious dessert experience that dances on your palate.
• Match with Creamy Coffee: Serve alongside a velvety cappuccino or a smooth vanilla latte. The coffee's robust warmth cuts through the buttery sweetness, balancing the bar's intense flavors and providing a delightful afternoon treat.
• Elevate with Ice Cream: Top the bars with a scoop of vanilla bean or sea salt caramel ice cream. The cold, creamy texture contrasts wonderfully with the warm, crumbly bar, enhancing the dessert's complex layers of sweetness and saltiness.
• Create a Nutty Sidekick: Garnish with toasted pecans or almonds on the side. These crunchy nuts add a complementary texture and earthy undertone that magnificently rounds out the caramel's deep, buttery profile.

New Ways To Enjoy Salted Caramel Butter Bars

• Chocolate Swirl Caramel Bars: Melt dark chocolate and drizzle it over the caramel layer before adding the crumble topping, creating a rich chocolate-caramel combination that elevates the original recipe.
• Nutty Caramel Crunch: Mix chopped pecans or almonds into the crumble topping and sprinkle additional chopped nuts on top for an extra crunchy texture and nutty flavor profile.
• Coconut Caramel Dream: Incorporate shredded coconut into the crumble mixture and toast it lightly before adding to the bars, bringing a tropical hint to the classic salted caramel dessert.
• Spiced Caramel Sensation: Add a pinch of cinnamon and ground nutmeg to the flour mixture, giving the bars a warm, subtle spice that complements the sweet caramel undertones.

Salted Caramel Butter Bars Questions Made Simple

• What makes these bars special?

The salted caramel butter bars combine a rich, buttery crust with a decadent caramel layer, creating a perfect balance of sweet and salty flavors that melt in your mouth.

• Can I use homemade caramel sauce?

Absolutely! Homemade caramel sauce works wonderfully and can add an extra depth of flavor to these bars. Just ensure it’s cooled slightly before adding to the recipe.

• How do I know when the bars are perfectly baked?

Look for a light golden color on the top layer and a set texture. The edges should be slightly firm but not dark brown. If the center still looks too soft, give it a few more minutes in the oven.

• Why do I need to add salt to the caramel?

The sea salt enhances the caramel’s sweetness and creates a complex flavor profile. It cuts through the richness of the butter and adds a sophisticated twist to the traditional sweet bar.

No-Bake Banana Split Cake Recipe

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4.6 from 26 reviews

• Total Time: 2 hours 30 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Indulgent no-bake banana split cake brings classic dessert dreams to life with layers of creamy goodness. Smooth graham cracker crust, luscious cream cheese filling, and fresh banana slices create a chilled summer treat you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 4 large bananas, sliced
• 2 (8 ounces) packages cream cheese, softened
• 1 (20 ounces) can crushed pineapple, drained
• 1 (16 ounces) container frozen whipped topping, thawed

Crust and Sweeteners:

• 2 cups graham cracker crumbs
• ¾ cup granulated sugar
• ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
• 1 ½ cups powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Toppings:

• ½ cup chopped nuts (such as peanuts or pecans)
• Maraschino cherries
• Chocolate syrup or hot fudge sauce (optional)

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Instructions

1. Craft a robust foundation by thoroughly blending graham cracker crumbs with sugar and melted butter until the mixture resembles coarse sand. Press the mixture compactly into a rectangular dish, creating a uniform base layer. Chill in the refrigerator to solidify the crust.
2. Whip cream cheese with powdered sugar and vanilla until achieving a velvety, lump-free consistency. Carefully spread this luxurious mixture across the chilled graham cracker foundation, ensuring complete and even coverage.
3. Create a vibrant fruit landscape by laying fresh banana slices in neat, overlapping rows across the cream cheese surface. Follow with a generous distribution of drained pineapple chunks, covering the banana layer completely.
4. Crown the fruity foundation with a soft, billowing layer of whipped topping. Spread gently to preserve the underlying fruit arrangement and create a smooth, cloud-like surface.
5. Embellish the dessert with a delicate shower of chopped nuts, providing textural contrast. Strategically place bright maraschino cherries for visual appeal and optional chocolate drizzle for decadent finishing touches.
6. Allow the assembled dessert to rest and harmonize in the refrigerator for several hours or overnight. This chilling period enables flavors to meld and the dessert to set perfectly. Serve thoroughly chilled for optimal taste and texture.

Notes

• Opt for room temperature ingredients to ensure smooth, lump-free cream cheese layer that spreads evenly and blends perfectly.
• Drain pineapple thoroughly using a fine-mesh strainer to prevent excess liquid from making the dessert soggy and maintaining a firm texture.
• Experiment with alternative crusts like crushed chocolate cookies or gluten-free graham crackers to accommodate different dietary preferences and add unique flavor profiles.
• Prepare this dessert a day ahead for enhanced flavor melding and easier serving, allowing the layers to set and develop a more cohesive taste experience.

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 2 hours
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Mixing
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 350
• Sugar: 30 g
• Sodium: 150 mg
• Fat: 20 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 40 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 25 mg