Looking for a sweet treat to satisfy your cravings? Try these easy homemade salted caramel gooey butter bars made with a quick shortbread crust and rich caramel sauce, save for later

Try These Salted Caramel Gooey Butter Bars

Introduction

Imagine a dessert that combines the richness of caramel, the crunch of a buttery crust, and the indulgence of gooey, sweet goodness. Look no further than these Salted Caramel Gooey Butter Bars, a treat that’s as easy to make as it is impressive to serve. With everyday ingredients and a straightforward process, you can create a show-stopping dessert that’s sure to delight friends and family. The best part? These bars are incredibly versatile, allowing you to get creative with flavors and toppings to make them truly unique.

Why This Works

Flavor balance and ingredient accessibility: The combination of caramel, butter, and a touch of salt creates a perfectly balanced flavor profile that’s both rich and refined. Plus, the ingredients are easy to find in most grocery stores.
Ease of preparation: Despite their impressive appearance, these bars are surprisingly simple to make. The crust comes together in minutes, and the filling requires just a few ingredients and some gentle heating.
Impressive results with minimal effort: The gooey, caramel-filled center and crunchy, buttery crust make for a dessert that’s sure to impress. And with a short ingredient list and straightforward instructions, you can achieve these stunning results with minimal fuss.

Key Ingredients

The stars of the show in these Salted Caramel Gooey Butter Bars are the caramel sauce, the buttery crust, and the flaky sea salt. For the crust, you’ll need all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, and unsalted butter. For the filling, you’ll need caramel sauce (homemade or store-bought), heavy cream, and flaky sea salt. If you want to get creative, you can also add in some chopped nuts, chocolate chips, or dried fruit to give the bars an extra boost of flavor and texture. Practical substitutions include using brown sugar instead of granulated sugar for a deeper flavor or swapping out the heavy cream for half-and-half or whole milk.

Instructions

Step 1: Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (180°C). Line an 8-inch square baking dish with parchment paper or aluminum foil, leaving some overhang for easy removal. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour and granulated sugar. Add in the unsalted butter and use a pastry blender or your fingers to work it into the dry ingredients until the mixture forms a crumbly crust.
Step 2: Press the crust mixture evenly into the prepared baking dish. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the crust is lightly golden brown. While the crust is baking, prepare the filling by heating the caramel sauce over low heat until it’s smooth and warm. Stir in the heavy cream and flaky sea salt until well combined.
Step 3: Once the crust is ready, remove it from the oven and let it cool for 5 minutes. Pour the warm caramel filling over the crust, spreading it evenly to the edges. If using, sprinkle some chopped nuts or chocolate chips over the top of the filling.
Step 4: Return the bars to the oven and bake for an additional 15-20 minutes, or until the filling is gooey and the top is lightly golden brown. Remove the bars from the oven and let them cool completely in the pan before slicing and serving.

Handy Tips

To ensure the crust doesn’t become too dark, keep an eye on it while it’s baking and cover the edges with foil if necessary. For the filling, be careful not to overheat the caramel sauce, as it can quickly become too thick and sticky. If you’re using chopped nuts or chocolate chips, sprinkle them over the filling before baking to ensure they’re evenly distributed.

Heat Control

When baking the crust and the filled bars, it’s essential to keep an eye on the temperature and timing. The ideal temperature is 350°F (180°C), and you should bake the crust for 20-25 minutes and the filled bars for an additional 15-20 minutes. To check for doneness, look for a lightly golden brown crust and a gooey, caramel-filled center. If you’re unsure, you can always err on the side of caution and bake the bars for a few minutes longer.

Crunch Factor

The crunch factor in these Salted Caramel Gooey Butter Bars comes from the buttery crust and any added nuts or chocolate chips. To achieve the perfect crunch, make sure to press the crust mixture evenly into the baking dish and bake it until it’s lightly golden brown. If using nuts or chocolate chips, sprinkle them over the filling before baking to ensure they’re evenly distributed and add a satisfying crunch to each bite.

Pro Kitchen Tricks

To make the bars more evenly sized, use a sharp knife to cut them into squares or rectangles before serving. For a salty-sweet combination, sprinkle some flaky sea salt over the top of the bars before baking. To make the bars more indulgent, drizzle them with some melted chocolate or caramel sauce before serving.

Storage Tips

Leftover bars can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. To freeze, wrap the bars tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil and store in a freezer-safe bag for up to 2 months. To reheat, simply thaw the bars overnight in the fridge or reheat them in the microwave or oven until warm and gooey.

Gift Packaging Ideas

These Salted Caramel Gooey Butter Bars are perfect for gifting to friends and family, especially during the holidays. To package them, simply cut the bars into squares or rectangles and wrap them individually in plastic wrap or wax paper. Place the wrapped bars in a decorative tin or jar, and add a ribbon or gift tag for a personal touch. You can also include a card with the recipe and some serving suggestions to make the gift even more special.

Flavor Variations

🌟 Different spices: Try adding some cinnamon, nutmeg, or cardamom to the crust or filling for a unique twist on the classic flavor combination.
🌟 Creative toppings: Sprinkle some chopped nuts, chocolate chips, or dried fruit over the filling before baking for added texture and flavor.
🌟 Ingredient swaps: Use brown sugar instead of granulated sugar for a deeper flavor, or swap out the heavy cream for half-and-half or whole milk for a richer filling.

Troubleshooting

Texture problems: If the crust is too crumbly, try adding a little more butter or pressing it into the baking dish more firmly. If the filling is too gooey, try baking the bars for a few minutes longer or refrigerating them until set.
Ingredient replacements: If you don’t have heavy cream, you can use half-and-half or whole milk as a substitute. If you don’t have flaky sea salt, you can use kosher salt or table salt instead.
Over/undercooking signs: Keep an eye on the bars while they’re baking, and check for doneness by looking for a lightly golden brown crust and a gooey, caramel-filled center. If you’re unsure, you can always err on the side of caution and bake the bars for a few minutes longer.

FAQs

Can I freeze it? Yes, you can freeze the bars for up to 2 months. Simply wrap them tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil and store in a freezer-safe bag.
Is it gluten-free? No, the bars contain all-purpose flour and are not gluten-free. However, you can try substituting the flour with a gluten-free alternative to make the bars gluten-free.
Can I double the recipe? Yes, you can double the recipe to make a larger batch of bars. Simply multiply the ingredients and adjust the baking time as needed.

Conclusion

These Salted Caramel Gooey Butter Bars are a game-changer for anyone looking for a delicious and impressive dessert. With their rich, caramel-filled center and crunchy, buttery crust, they’re sure to become a favorite among friends and family. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or a beginner in the kitchen, these bars are easy to make and require minimal ingredients. So go ahead, get creative with the recipe, and enjoy the ooohs and ahhhs when you serve these babies up. Happy baking!

Gooey Salted Caramel Butter Bars Recipe