Description
Indulge in these decadent Salted Caramel Butter Bars, featuring a rich buttery base swirled with luscious caramel and topped with a sprinkle of sea salt. Perfect for any occasion, these bars are sure to satisfy your sweet tooth!
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup packed brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup caramel sauce (store-bought or homemade)
- 1 teaspoon sea salt (for topping)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13 inch baking pan with butter or line it with parchment paper for easy removal.
- In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar using an electric mixer on medium speed. Beat until the mixture is light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes.
- Add the eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Then, add the vanilla extract and continue to mix until fully incorporated.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt until well combined.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until just combined. Be careful not to overmix; stop as soon as you no longer see any flour streaks.
- If you are using store-bought caramel sauce, simply warm it slightly in the microwave for about 15-20 seconds to make it easier to drizzle.
- If you prefer to make homemade caramel sauce, follow these steps:
- In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine 1 cup of granulated sugar and 1/4 cup of water. Stir gently until the sugar dissolves.
- Once the sugar has dissolved, stop stirring and allow the mixture to boil. Watch closely as it turns a deep amber color, about 8-10 minutes.
- Remove the saucepan from heat and carefully add 1/2 cup of heavy cream (the mixture will bubble vigorously). Stir until smooth.
- Add 1/4 cup of unsalted butter and a pinch of salt, stirring until fully melted and combined. Let it cool slightly before using.
- Pour half of the batter into the prepared baking pan, spreading it evenly with a spatula.
- Drizzle half of the caramel sauce over the batter, using a spoon to create a marbled effect. Be careful not to disturb the batter too much.
- Pour the remaining batter over the caramel layer, spreading it gently to cover the caramel completely.
- Drizzle the remaining caramel sauce on top of the second layer of batter. Use a knife or a toothpick to swirl the caramel into the batter for a marbled appearance.
- Place the baking pan in the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs.
- Once baked, remove the pan from the oven and let it cool in the pan for about 10-15 minutes.
- After cooling slightly, sprinkle the top with sea salt to enhance the flavor of the caramel.
- Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack before cutting them into squares or rectangles.
Notes
- For an extra indulgent treat, serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream on the side.
- These bars can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days or in the refrigerator for up to a week.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes