Description
Irresistible gooey salted caramel butter cake bars blend rich flavors from classic Southern desserts. Creamy caramel and buttery layers create a luxurious treat you cannot resist.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup (226 g) salted butter, softened
- 1 cup (200 g) brown sugar
- 1/2 cup (100 g) granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 1/4 cups (280 g) all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 can (14 oz / 397 g) sweetened condensed milk
- 1/2 cup (120 ml) caramel sauce
- 1 tbsp sea salt flakes
Instructions
- Heat oven to 350°F and prepare a baking pan with non-stick spray or butter.
- Whip butter and sugars together until achieving a pale, airy consistency with soft peaks.
- Incorporate eggs and vanilla extract, blending until smooth and uniform.
- Sift together dry ingredients – flour, baking powder, and salt in a separate mixing bowl.
- Gradually fold dry ingredients into wet mixture, stirring until just combined without overmixing.
- Transfer half the dough into the prepared pan, pressing evenly across the bottom to create a uniform base layer.
- Drizzle caramel sauce and sweetened condensed milk over the first dough layer, ensuring even distribution.
- Sprinkle sea salt flakes across the caramel surface for enhanced flavor complexity.
- Carefully spread remaining dough on top, creating a gentle covering over the caramel layer.
- Bake in preheated oven for 25-30 minutes until edges turn golden brown and center appears set.
- Remove from oven and allow complete cooling at room temperature for at least 1 hour.
- Once thoroughly cooled, slice into rectangular bars using a sharp knife.
Notes
- Use room temperature butter and eggs for smoother, more even cake texture that blends perfectly.
- Choose high-quality caramel sauce for richer flavor, or make homemade caramel for extra depth and personalized taste.
- Adjust sea salt sprinkle based on preference – less for mild sweetness, more for pronounced salted caramel contrast.
- Refrigerate bars for cleaner cutting and firmer texture, keeping them fresh for 3-4 days in an airtight container.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 28 g
- Sodium: 180 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0.3 g
- Carbohydrates: 42 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 45 mg