Salted Caramel Butter Bars

December 6, 2013 2 Comments

I discovered the pure joy that is salted caramel from my very dear friend Barbara. We were out and had a slice of salted caramel cake and I was completely hooked. It became a thing with her and me. We always have to have salted caramel whenever we see it and we are constantly drooling over recipes that call for it. I discovered this one for salted caramel butter bars through pinterest on this awesome blog here and I had to try them. Oh my goodness was I glad I did! Best of all they were simple to make.

The dough for the salted caramel butter bars was a simple mixture of more butter than I care to think about, sugar, vanilla and flour. The simplicity was what made this crust so darn amazing!
The dough for the crust of the salted caramel butter bars was a simple mixture of more butter than I care to think about, sugar, vanilla and flour. The simplicity was what made this crust so darn amazing!
I pressed half of the dough out into my well greased 9 x 13 pan to form the bottom crust. It needed to bake for 15 minutes to get golden and glorious!
I pressed half of the dough out into my well greased 9 x 13 pan to form the bottom crust. It needed to bake for 15 minutes to get golden and glorious!
It was the filling of the salted caramel butter bars that really sold me though! It was a combination of caramel candies, heavy cream and vanilla that I just microwaved until it was smooth and shiny. Once I poured it over the bottom crust, I gave it a very generous sprinkle of sea salt. That salt was essential to heighten all of the flavor and cut through the sweetness!
It was the filling of the salted caramel butter bars that really sold me though! It was a combination of caramel candies, heavy cream and vanilla that I just microwaved until it was smooth and shiny. Once I poured it over the bottom crust, I gave it a very generous sprinkle of sea salt. That salt was essential to heighten all of the flavor and cut through the sweetness!
I crumbled the other half of dough on top of the caramel filling to finish assembling the salted caramel butter bars. It was as easy as that! The bars baked for another 15 to 20 minutes to finish up. To make them easier to cut, I chilled them when they were done. They were so amazing when I got to try them!
I crumbled the other half of dough on top of the caramel filling to finish assembling the salted caramel butter bars. It was as easy as that! The bars baked for another 15 to 20 minutes to finish up. To make them easier to cut, I chilled them when they were done. They were so amazing when I got to try them!

The crust was sweet and buttery while the filling was so smooth, luscious and slightly salty to cut though it all. These salted caramel butter bars were a simple dessert concept taken to a whole new level! It definitely was not diet food but small indulgences once in a while never hurt anyone. Hope you all enjoy! xoxo

Salted Caramel Butter Bars
Salted Caramel Butter Bars
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Salted Caramel Butter Bars
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Salted Caramel Butter Bars
Prep Time
15 mins
Cook Time
30 mins
Total Time
45 mins
 
Course: Dessert
Servings: 1 tray
Author: Jeanie and Lulu's Kitchen
Ingredients
FOR THE CRUST
  • 4 sticks butter softened to room temperature
  • 2 1/2 cups granulated sugar
  • 2 tablespoons vanilla extract
  • 4 cups flour
FOR THE FILLING
  • 14 ounces caramel candies unwrapped
  • 1/3 cup heavy cream
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 tablespoons sea salt
Instructions
  1. Pre-heat the oven to 325 and grease a 9 x 13 pan liberally with softened butter or shortening. Set up a stand mixer with the paddle attachment and combine the butter and sugar in its bowl for the crust. Beat them together well until fluffy. Add the vanilla next. Then turn the speed to low and slowly add the flour until it is just worked in to be a soft dough. Divide the dough in half and press the first half out into a thin, even layer in the prepared pan. Bake it for 15 minutes, then let it cool.
  2. While the crust bakes and cools, prepare the filling. Combine the caramels, heavy cream and sugar in a large, microwave safe bowl. Microwave it for a minute and then give it a stir. Then microwave it for another 30 seconds and stir it again. If it still is not completely melted let it go for another 30 seconds and stir it again until it is completely smooth and shiny. Pour the filling evenly over the bottom crust and then sprinkle the salt evenly over the caramel.
  3. Take the second half of dough and crumble it in an even layer on top of the caramel. Bake the assemble bars for another 15-20 minutes, until just golden. Let the pan cool for about 20 minutes, then cover it and refrigerate it for a couple of hours at least. This makes them easier to cut. Then cut the bars into the size you want and serve them!

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2 thoughts on “Salted Caramel Butter Bars”

    1. That would be fantastic! I just was curious to try the shortcut method in the original recipe and it was a great, easy way to do it. Homemade caramel would also be so yummy in this recipe :-).

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