Salted Caramel Gooey Butter Bars Recipe
Introduction
Salted Caramel Gooey Butter Bars are a decadent treat combining buttery crust with a rich, gooey filling and luscious salted caramel drizzle. Perfect for caramel lovers, these bars balance sweetness and saltiness in every bite.
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup water
- 1 cup sugar (for caramel)
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into tablespoon-sized pieces (for caramel)
- 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream, room temperature (for caramel)
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup all-purpose flour (for crust)
- 3 tablespoons sugar (for crust)
- 5 tablespoons unsalted butter, cold and cut into tablespoon-sized pieces (for crust)
- 3/4 cup sugar (for filling)
- 3/4 cup unsalted butter, room temperature (for filling)
- 1/4 cup light corn syrup
- 1 large egg
- 1 cup all-purpose flour (for filling)
- 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 gently until the sugar dissolves, then let it boil without stirring until it turns an amber color. Remove from heat and carefully stir in 6 tablespoons butter and 1/2 cup heavy cream until smooth. Set aside to cool slightly.
- Step 2: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). In a mixing bowl, combine 1 cup flour and 3 tablespoons sugar. Cut in 5 tablespoons cold butter until the mixture is crumbly. Press this crust evenly into a greased 9×13 inch baking pan.
- Step 3: In a separate bowl, beat 3/4 cup room temperature butter with 3/4 cup sugar until fluffy. Add 1/4 cup light corn syrup and the egg, mixing until combined. Gradually add 1 cup flour and 2/3 cup evaporated milk, blending until smooth.
- Step 4: Pour the filling batter over the prepared crust in the baking pan. Drizzle half of the salted caramel evenly over the top. Bake for about 50 minutes, until the center is slightly jiggly but set.
- Step 5: Allow the bars to cool completely before cutting into squares. Drizzle the remaining salted caramel over the bars before serving.
Tips & Variations
- Use room temperature ingredients for the filling to ensure a smooth, fluffy texture.
- For an extra crunch, sprinkle chopped nuts over the caramel before baking.
- If you prefer a richer caramel, add a pinch more salt to the sauce to enhance depth of flavor.
- You can substitute light corn syrup with golden syrup or honey for a slightly different sweetness.
Storage
Store the bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, refrigerate and consume within one week. Reheat gently in the microwave for 10-15 seconds to restore gooeyness, if desired.
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 a day in advance and store it in the refrigerator. Warm it gently before drizzling over the bars to restore its pourable consistency.
What if I don’t have evaporated milk?
You can substitute evaporated milk with a mix of regular milk and a bit of heavy cream to mimic the richness, or use full-fat coconut milk for a dairy-free option.
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Salted Caramel Gooey Butter Bars Recipe
- Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Yield: 12 bars 1x
Description
Indulge in these Salted Caramel Gooey Butter Bars, featuring a buttery crumbly crust topped with a rich, sweet, and gooey filling, accented perfectly by homemade salted caramel drizzled on and inside. These bars are a delightful dessert combining textures and flavors that caramel lovers will adore.
Ingredients
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 the Salted Caramel: Combine the water and sugar in a saucepan over medium heat, stirring until the sugar dissolves. Let the mixture come to a boil and cook without stirring until it turns a deep amber color. Remove from heat and carefully add the butter and room temperature heavy cream while stirring until everything is smooth and well incorporated. Stir in the salt and set aside to cool slightly.
- Prepare the Crust: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). In a mixing bowl, combine the flour and sugar. Add the cold, cubed butter and use a pastry cutter or your fingers to blend until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Press this crumbly mixture evenly into a greased 9×13 inch baking pan to form the base.
- Mix the Filling: In a separate bowl, beat the room temperature butter with sugar until light and fluffy. Add the light corn syrup and egg, mixing thoroughly to combine. Gradually add the flour and evaporated milk, mixing until smooth and fully incorporated.
- Assemble and Bake: Pour the filling batter evenly over the crust in the baking pan. Drizzle half of the cooled salted caramel over the top in a swirl pattern. Bake in the preheated oven for about 50 minutes, until the center is slightly jiggly but set. Remove from oven and allow to cool completely in the pan.
- Finish the Bars: Once cooled, drizzle the remaining salted caramel over the top of the bars. Cut into squares and serve.
Notes
- Use room temperature ingredients for better mixing and texture.
- Be cautious when making the caramel as the sugar syrup will be extremely hot.
- The bars should be cooled completely before slicing to prevent crumbling.
- Store the bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for up to a week.
- For a stronger salted caramel flavor, sprinkle a tiny pinch of sea salt on top after drizzling the last caramel.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: Salted caramel bars, gooey butter bars, homemade caramel, dessert bars, caramel dessert
