Description
Indulge in these irresistibly rich Salted Caramel Gooey Butter Bars, perfect for caramel lovers craving a luscious, buttery treat. Featuring a buttery crust base topped with a creamy cream cheese filling swirled with salted caramel sauce and finished with flaky sea salt, these bars offer a perfect balance of sweet and salty in every bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Crust
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Filling and Topping
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 (14 oz) can sweetened condensed milk
- ½ cup salted caramel sauce (store-bought or homemade)
- Flaky sea salt, for topping
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a 9×9-inch baking dish with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ease removal.
- Make the Crust: In a mixing bowl, cream the softened butter and granulated sugar together until the mixture is light and fluffy. Gradually mix in the all-purpose flour and salt until a dough forms.
- Bake the Crust: Press the prepared dough evenly into the bottom of the lined baking dish. Bake for about 15 minutes or until the crust is lightly golden. Remove from oven and allow it to cool slightly.
- Prepare the Filling: In a separate bowl, beat the softened cream cheese until smooth and creamy. Add the eggs, vanilla extract, and sweetened condensed milk. Mix well until fully combined and creamy.
- Assemble Bars: Pour the cream cheese filling evenly over the pre-baked crust. Drizzle the salted caramel sauce over the filling and use a knife to gently swirl the caramel into the filling to create a marbled effect.
- Bake the Bars: Return the baking dish to the oven and bake for 25 to 30 minutes. The edges should be set while the center remains slightly jiggly, indicating gooey perfection.
- Finish and Chill: Immediately after baking, sprinkle flaky sea salt evenly over the warm bars. Allow the bars to cool completely, then refrigerate for at least 2 hours before slicing into 16 bars to serve.
Notes
- Use room temperature butter and cream cheese to ensure smooth mixing.
- For an extra decorative finish, add more caramel drizzle or a sprinkle of sea salt just before serving.
- These bars store well in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
- You can make salted caramel sauce at home by melting sugar with butter and cream, or use a high-quality store-bought version.
- If you prefer a sweeter or less salty bar, adjust the amount of flaky sea salt accordingly.
