Salted Caramel Butter Bars
These Salted Caramel Butter Bars combine buttery shortbread with rich caramel for a perfect sweet treat, enhanced by a sprinkle of sea salt.
Ingredients
For the Shortbread Base
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened European-style butter is preferred for richer flavor
- 1 cup granulated sugar Can be substituted with brown sugar for deeper caramel flavor
- 2 cups all-purpose flour Gluten-free flour can be used for dietary adjustments
- 1/2 teaspoon salt Use kosher salt for a coarser texture if preferred
For the Topping
- 1 cup caramel sauce Homemade is best, quality store-bought like Kraft is acceptable
- 1/2 teaspoon sea salt For sprinkling on top
Instructions
Preparation
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9x13 inch baking dish.
- In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy, about 3-5 minutes.
- Gradually add in the flour and salt, mixing until just combined.
- Press the mixture into the bottom of the prepared baking dish to form a firm shortbread base.
Baking
- Bake in the preheated oven for about 20-25 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden.
Finishing Touches
- Once out of the oven, let it cool for just a few minutes. Then drizzle the caramel sauce evenly over the top.
- Lightly sprinkle sea salt over the caramel.
- Allow the bars to cool completely before cutting into squares.
Notes
Ensure your butter is at room temperature for easy creaming. Can be made dairy-free with vegan butter and coconut cream caramel. Keeps well in an airtight container.