Salted Caramel Gooey Butter Bars Recipe

Introduction

Salted Caramel Gooey Butter Bars offer a delightfully rich and indulgent treat with a perfect balance of sweet caramel and a buttery, gooey texture. These bars are easy to make and perfect for any dessert craving or special occasion.

Ingredients

• 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
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 3 tablespoons sugar
• 5 tablespoons unsalted butter, cold and cut into tablespoon-sized pieces
• 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

1. Step 1: Prepare the salted caramel by combining water and sugar in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir until the sugar dissolves. Allow the mixture to boil without stirring until it turns a deep amber color.
2. Step 2: Remove from heat and carefully add the butter and heavy cream while stirring until smooth. Stir in the salt. Set aside to cool slightly.
3. Step 3: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). In a bowl, mix 1 cup flour with 3 tablespoons sugar. Cut in the cold butter until the mixture is crumbly.
4. Step 4: Press the crumbly mixture evenly into a greased 9×13 inch baking pan to form the crust.
5. Step 5: In another bowl, beat the room temperature butter with 3/4 cup sugar until fluffy. Add the corn syrup and egg, mixing until combined.
6. Step 6: Gradually add 1 cup flour and evaporated milk to the wet mixture, stirring until smooth.
7. Step 7: Pour the batter evenly over the prepared crust. Drizzle half of the salted caramel sauce on top.
8. Step 8: Bake for about 50 minutes, or until the top is set but slightly jiggly in the center.
9. Step 9: Allow the bars to cool completely. Drizzle the remaining salted caramel over the top before cutting into bars and serving.

Tips & Variations

• Use room temperature ingredients for easier mixing and a smoother batter.
• For extra flavor, sprinkle a pinch of flaky sea salt on top before serving.
• Substitute light corn syrup with honey or maple syrup for a different sweetness profile.
• Chill the bars before cutting to get cleaner slices.

Storage

Store the bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for up to a week. To reheat, warm individual bars briefly in the microwave for about 10–15 seconds to bring back their gooey texture.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make the salted caramel ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the salted caramel a day ahead and store it in the refrigerator. Warm it gently before drizzling over the bars.

What if I don’t have evaporated milk?

You can substitute evaporated milk with an equal amount of regular milk, but the bars may be slightly less rich and creamy.

Salted Caramel Gooey Butter Bars Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.8 from 90 reviews

Indulge in these decadent Salted Caramel Gooey Butter Bars featuring a buttery crumb crust topped with a rich, gooey filling and luscious salted caramel drizzle. Perfect for dessert lovers craving a sweet and buttery treat with the perfect balance of salty caramel goodness.

• Author: Clara
• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 50 minutes
• Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
• Yield: 12 bars 1x
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

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

Gooey Butter 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

1. Make the Salted Caramel: In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine the water and sugar, stirring until the sugar dissolves. Bring to a boil and cook without stirring until the mixture turns a deep amber color. Remove from heat and carefully stir in the butter and room temperature heavy cream until smooth. Add salt and set aside to cool slightly.
2. Preheat and Prepare the Crust: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). In a mixing bowl, combine 1 cup flour and 3 tablespoons sugar. Cut in the cold butter pieces using a pastry cutter or your fingers until mixture is crumbly. Press this crumb mixture evenly into a greased 9×13 inch baking pan to form the crust.
3. Prepare the Gooey Butter Filling: In a separate bowl, beat the room-temperature butter and 3/4 cup sugar together until light and fluffy. Add the corn syrup and egg, mixing until combined. Gradually add 1 cup flour and evaporated milk, mixing to form a smooth batter.
4. Assemble and Bake: Pour the gooey butter batter evenly over the pressed crust in the pan. Drizzle half of the salted caramel sauce on top in a swirl pattern. Bake in the preheated oven for approximately 50 minutes, until the center is slightly jiggly but set at the edges.
5. Cool and Finish: Remove from oven and let cool completely in the pan. Once cooled, drizzle the remaining salted caramel over the bars. Cut into squares and serve.

Notes

• Use room temperature ingredients for best mixing results.
• Be careful when handling hot caramel as it can cause burns.
• Allow bars to cool fully before cutting to ensure clean slices.
• Store leftovers covered at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for up to a week.
• For extra texture, sprinkle with flaky sea salt before serving.

Keywords: Salted caramel bars, gooey butter bars, caramel dessert, American dessert, sweet bars