Decadent Salted Caramel Butter Bars

Posted on May 12, 2025

If you’re looking for a dessert that melts in your mouth and delivers a rich, buttery bite with a gooey caramel twist—this is it. These Decadent Salted Caramel Butter Bars are the kind of treat that looks fancy but is surprisingly easy to make. With layers of soft, buttery shortbread and a luscious salted caramel center, they strike the perfect balance between sweet and salty.

Table of Contents

Why You’ll Love Decadent Salted Caramel Butter Bars

These Decadent Salted Caramel Butter Bars are more than just a dessert—they’re a full-on experience. The buttery crust practically melts in your mouth, while the rich caramel layer adds a gooey, indulgent finish. The touch of sea salt on top? Chef’s kiss. Not only are they easy to whip up with simple pantry staples, but they also slice beautifully for serving or gifting. Perfect for potlucks, bake sales, or just treating yourself on a Tuesday night. One bite and you’ll understand why these bars have a cult following.

Ingredients

You won’t need anything fancy to make these mouthwatering bars—just a handful of everyday baking staples and a little sea salt magic. Here’s what you’ll need:

For the Butter Bar Base & Topping:

1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
2/3 cup granulated sugar
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For the Salted Caramel Filling:

1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter
1/2 cup light brown sugar, packed
2 tablespoons heavy cream
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon sea salt (plus more for sprinkling)

Instructions

These bars come together in a few simple steps—no candy thermometer or complicated techniques needed. Just mix, layer, bake, and enjoy!

Step-by-Step:

Preheat & Prep:
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving a little overhang on the sides for easy removal.
Make the Butter Bar Dough:
In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add vanilla, flour, and salt. Mix until crumbly but fully combined.
Form the Base Layer:
Press about two-thirds of the dough into the bottom of the prepared pan to form an even layer. Reserve the remaining third for the topping.
Bake the Base:
Bake the bottom crust for 15–18 minutes, or until lightly golden. Remove from the oven and let it cool slightly while you make the caramel.
Make the Caramel Filling:
In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt butter and stir in the brown sugar. Cook, stirring constantly, for 2–3 minutes. Remove from heat, then whisk in the heavy cream, vanilla, and sea salt until smooth.
Assemble the Bars:
Pour the warm caramel evenly over the baked crust. Crumble the remaining dough over the top in small chunks. Don’t worry about full coverage—it gives a nice rustic look.
Bake Again:
Return the pan to the oven and bake for 22–25 minutes, or until the topping is lightly golden and the caramel is bubbly around the edges.
Cool & Slice:
Let the bars cool completely in the pan (you can speed this up in the fridge). Once set, lift out using the parchment overhang and slice into squares.

Servings and Timing

These Decadent Salted Caramel Butter Bars are rich and satisfying, so a little goes a long way (though you will want seconds). Perfect for sharing—or not!

Servings: Makes about 16 small squares (or 9 large ones if you’re feeling bold)
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 40–45 minutes
Cooling Time: 1 hour (can chill in fridge to speed up)
Total Time: ~2 hours from start to slice

Tips and Variations

Want to make these bars your own? Here are some fun ways to tweak or elevate this already-decadent treat:

Add chocolate chips: Sprinkle mini chocolate chips over the caramel layer before adding the top crumble for a chocolatey twist.
Nutty crunch: Chopped pecans or walnuts add great texture—just mix a handful into the dough or sprinkle on top.
Brown butter base: For a deeper flavor, brown the butter before mixing the dough. It adds a nutty richness that’s next-level.
Gluten-free option: Use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend—just make sure it includes xanthan gum for structure.
Spice it up: A pinch of cinnamon or a dash of espresso powder in the dough can add a warm, cozy vibe.
Double the batch: Making them for a crowd? This recipe doubles beautifully in a 9×13-inch pan—just adjust the baking time slightly.

Storage

Good news—these Salted Caramel Butter Bars store beautifully, making them a great make-ahead dessert or lunchbox treat!

Room Temperature: Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Refrigerator: Keep chilled for up to 1 week. The bars firm up in the fridge but stay delicious—just let them sit at room temp for a few minutes before serving if you prefer a softer bite.
Freezer-Friendly: Freeze in a single layer (or between parchment) for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge or at room temp for a quick sweet fix.

FAQs

1. Can I use store-bought caramel instead of making it from scratch?
Yes! If you’re short on time, a thick, good-quality store-bought caramel sauce works. Just warm it slightly to make it easier to spread.

2. What’s the best way to cut the bars cleanly?
Let the bars chill completely, then use a sharp knife. For extra clean edges, wipe the knife between each slice.

3. Can I make this recipe dairy-free?
Yes—swap butter with a plant-based baking butter and use coconut cream instead of heavy cream. The texture may vary slightly but still tastes amazing.

4. Can I double the recipe?
Absolutely. Just bake it in a 9×13-inch pan and increase the baking time by about 5–8 minutes.

5. How salty are these bars?
They’re more sweet than salty—the sea salt adds balance. If you’re a true salt lover, sprinkle a pinch of flaky sea salt on top before baking.

6. Can I make this with salted butter?
You can, but skip the added salt in the dough and caramel to avoid going overboard.

7. Do these bars need to be refrigerated?
Not necessarily. They’re fine at room temp for a couple of days, but refrigerating them helps them last longer and keeps them firm.

Final Thoughts

Whether you’re baking for a special occasion or just treating yourself to a cozy night in, these Decadent Salted Caramel Butter Bars are a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. They’re rich, gooey, buttery, and just the right amount of salty-sweet—basically dessert perfection. Plus, they’re easy enough for beginner bakers but indulgent enough to feel gourmet.

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Decadent Salted Caramel Butter Bars

Why You’ll Love Decadent Salted Caramel Butter Bars