Irresistible Salted Caramel Butter Bars
A perfect treat combining buttery shortbread and rich, gooey salted caramel, these bars are sure to please everyone's sweet tooth.
Ingredients
For the Shortbread Base
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened Should be creamy but not melted.
- 1 cup brown sugar, packed Light or dark brown sugar can be used.
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar Provides sweetness.
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract For flavor.
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
For the Caramel Topping
- 1 cup caramel sauce (store-bought or homemade) Use quality caramel for best flavor.
- to taste flaked sea salt Sprinkle on top to contrast the sweetness.
Instructions
Preparation
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line an 8x8-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving some overhang for easy removal later.
- In a mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until smooth. Add in the vanilla extract, followed by the flour, baking powder, and salt. Mix until just combined; don’t overmix!
- Spread the shortbread mixture evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan, pressing it down gently. Bake for about 15-20 minutes or until the edges are golden brown.
Assembling
- While the base bakes, warm the caramel sauce in a microwave or on the stovetop until it’s pourable. Once the shortbread is out of the oven, pour the warm caramel sauce evenly over the baked crust.
- Sprinkle a generous amount of flaked sea salt on top of the caramel layer.
Cooling and Serving
- Allow the bars to cool at room temperature, then refrigerate for at least 2 hours before slicing into squares.
Notes
Serve with vanilla ice cream or alongside a hot cup of coffee or tea. Store in an airtight container for up to a week, or freeze for up to three months.