Salted Caramel Butter Bars
These Salted Caramel Butter Bars are a delightful combination of chewy, buttery crust and gooey caramel, topped with a sprinkle of sea salt for the perfect sweet-salty balance. They are easy to make and perfect for family-friendly treats or meal prep.
Ingredients
For the bars
- 1 cup butter, softened Use unsalted butter for best results.
- 1 cup brown sugar Packed brown sugar adds moisture.
- 2 cups all-purpose flour Can substitute with gluten-free flour.
- 1 cup rolled oats Adds chewiness and rustic texture.
- 1/2 teaspoon salt Adjust if using salted butter.
- 1 cup caramel sauce Store-bought or homemade works well.
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract Enhances the flavor of the bars.
- 1/2 cup chopped nuts (optional) Pecans are recommended.
- Sea salt for topping Use just a pinch for balance.
Instructions
Preparation
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease your 9×13 inch baking pan.
- Using an electric mixer, cream together the softened butter and brown sugar until fluffy.
- Mix in the flour, oats, and salt until fully combined. If the mixture seems dry, add a teaspoon of milk.
- Press half of the mixture evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan to form a crust.
- Spread the caramel sauce evenly over the crust.
- Crumble the remaining dough mixture over the caramel, adding chopped nuts if desired.
Baking
- Bake for about 25-30 minutes, or until the top is golden brown. Check at 22 minutes if your oven runs hot.
- Cool completely before slicing into bars.
- Sprinkle sea salt on top before serving.
Notes
These bars can be made ahead and stored airtight for 1–2 days at room temperature, or for up to a week in the fridge. For longer storage, freeze in layers separated by parchment for up to 3 months.