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Salted Caramel Butter Bars

These luxurious Salted Caramel Butter Bars are a delightful combination of buttery richness and sweet salted caramel, perfect for any occasion.
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Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 50 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 20 minutes
Servings: 12 bars
Course: Dessert, Snack
Cuisine: American
Calories: 250
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Base Ingredients
  • 1 pound (2 cups) unsalted butter, at room temperature Make sure the butter is softened for optimal mixing.
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1½ cups powdered sugar
  • 2 tablespoons vanilla extract
  • 4 cups all-purpose flour
Caramel Layer
  • 1 14 oz bag caramel candies, unwrapped (or 2 cups soft caramel bits)
  • ⅓ cup heavy cream Substitute with half-and-half or milk for a lighter option.
  • ½ to 1 teaspoon coarse sea salt Adjust to taste.

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Preheat your oven to 325°F (165°C) and line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper.
  2. In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter, granulated sugar, and powdered sugar until light and fluffy.
  3. Add the vanilla extract and blend well.
  4. Gradually mix in the all-purpose flour until a rich, thick dough forms.
  5. Press half to two-thirds of the dough into the bottom of the prepared pan and set the remaining dough aside.
  6. Bake for 20 minutes or until lightly golden.
Caramel Layer
  1. Melt the caramel candies with the heavy cream in a saucepan over low heat, stirring frequently until smooth.
  2. Pour the warm caramel over the baked crust and sprinkle with sea salt.
  3. Crumble the reserved dough over the caramel layer.
  4. Bake for an additional 25–30 minutes until topping is set and golden.
Cooling and Serving
  1. Allow the bars to cool completely, then chill briefly before slicing.

Notes

Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days, or in the refrigerator for up to a week. Freezing is possible for up to two months if wrapped properly.