Introduction

Salted Caramel Gooey Butter Bars are a decadent treat perfect for caramel lovers. These bars combine a buttery crust with a rich, gooey filling and a luscious homemade salted caramel drizzle. They’re sure to satisfy any sweet tooth with their perfect balance of sweet and salty flavors.

Salted Caramel Gooey Butter Bars Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients

1/4 cup water
1 cup sugar
6 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into tablespoon-sized pieces
1/2 cup heavy whipping cream, room temperature
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup all-purpose flour
3 tablespoons sugar
5 tablespoons unsalted butter, cold and cut into tablespoon-sized pieces
3/4 cup sugar
3/4 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
1/4 cup light corn syrup
1 large egg
1 cup all-purpose flour
2/3 cup evaporated milk

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the salted caramel by combining water and 1 cup sugar in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir until the sugar dissolves, then let the mixture boil until it turns an amber color. Remove from heat and carefully add the 6 tablespoons butter and 1/2 cup heavy cream while stirring continuously until smooth. Stir in 1/4 teaspoon salt and set aside.
Step 2: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). In a medium bowl, mix 1 cup flour and 3 tablespoons sugar. Cut in 5 tablespoons cold butter until the mixture becomes crumbly. Press this crust evenly into a greased 9×13 inch baking pan.
Step 3: In a separate large bowl, beat 3/4 cup room temperature butter with 3/4 cup sugar until fluffy. Add 1/4 cup light corn syrup and 1 large egg, mixing until fully combined. Gradually blend in 1 cup flour and 2/3 cup evaporated milk until smooth.
Step 4: Pour the gooey batter over the prepared crust. Drizzle half of the salted caramel evenly over the top. Bake for about 50 minutes, or until the center is slightly jiggly but set around the edges.
Step 5: Allow the bars to cool completely before cutting into squares. Drizzle the remaining salted caramel over the bars before serving for an extra caramel boost.

Tips & Variations

Use room temperature ingredients for the filling to achieve the best fluffy texture.
For extra salted caramel flavor, sprinkle a little flaky sea salt over the bars after drizzling the final caramel.
Substitute light corn syrup with honey or maple syrup for a different sweetness profile.

Storage

Store the bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or in the refrigerator for up to a week. To enjoy the gooey texture, bring them to room temperature before serving or warm slightly in the microwave for 10-15 seconds.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make the caramel ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the salted caramel up to a day in advance. Store it in a sealed container in the refrigerator and gently warm it before using.

Can I freeze these bars?

Absolutely. Wrap the bars tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil, then freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and bring to room temperature before serving.

Salted Caramel Gooey Butter Bars Recipe

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★★★★★

4.5 from 101 reviews

These Salted Caramel Gooey Butter Bars combine a rich, buttery crust with a luscious creamy filling topped with homemade salted caramel drizzle. Perfect for caramel lovers seeking a gooey, indulgent dessert with a balanced touch of saltiness to enhance the sweetness.

Author: Maya
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 50 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
Yield: 12 bars 1x
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale

Salted Caramel

1/4 cup water
1 cup sugar
6 tablespoons unsalted butter (cut into tablespoon-sized pieces)
1/2 cup heavy whipping cream (room temperature)
1/4 teaspoon salt

Crust

1 cup all-purpose flour
3 tablespoons sugar
5 tablespoons unsalted butter (cold and cut into tablespoon-sized pieces)

Filling

3/4 cup sugar
3/4 cup unsalted butter (room temperature)
1/4 cup light corn syrup
1 large egg
1 cup all-purpose flour
2/3 cup evaporated milk

Instructions

Make Salted Caramel: In a saucepan over medium heat, combine water and sugar, stirring until sugar dissolves. Allow it to boil without stirring until the mixture turns an amber color. Remove from heat and immediately add butter pieces and heavy cream while stirring continuously until the sauce is smooth. Stir in salt and set aside to cool slightly.
Prepare Crust: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). In a bowl, combine flour and sugar. Cut in cold butter pieces with your fingers or a pastry cutter until the mixture becomes crumbly. Press this crumb mixture evenly into a greased 9×13 inch baking pan to form the crust.
Make Filling: In a separate large bowl, beat the room temperature butter with sugar until light and fluffy. Add the corn syrup and egg, mixing until well combined. Gradually add the flour and evaporated milk, mixing gently to incorporate without overbeating.
Assemble Bars and Bake: Pour the filling batter over the prepared crust in the baking pan. Drizzle half of the prepared salted caramel sauce evenly over the top. Bake in the preheated oven for about 50 minutes, or until the center is slightly jiggly when gently shaken.
Cool and Serve: Remove from the oven and let the bars cool completely in the pan. Once cooled, drizzle the remaining salted caramel over the bars. Cut into squares and serve.

Notes

Make sure the heavy cream is at room temperature to prevent caramel from seizing.
Do not overbake; the center should be slightly jiggly when done to maintain gooey texture.
Use a sharp knife warmed with hot water for cleaner cuts when slicing bars.
Store leftover bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
For a stronger salted caramel flavor, sprinkle a flaky sea salt on top before serving.

Keywords: salted caramel, gooey butter bars, caramel bars, dessert bars, homemade caramel, buttery dessert