Description

Indulge in these rich and decadent Salted Caramel Gooey Butter Bars, featuring a buttery crumb crust topped with a luscious, gooey filling and drizzled with homemade salted caramel. Perfectly balanced between sweet and salty, these bars deliver a satisfying melt-in-your-mouth experience.

Ingredients

Scale

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

Make the Salted Caramel: In a medium saucepan, combine 1/4 cup water and 1 cup sugar over medium heat. Stir until the sugar dissolves, then bring the mixture to a boil without stirring. Let it boil until it reaches an amber color, approximately 8-10 minutes. Remove from heat and carefully stir in 6 tablespoons butter and 1/2 cup room temperature heavy cream until smooth. Add 1/4 teaspoon salt and mix well. Set aside to cool slightly.
Prepare the Crust: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). In a medium bowl, whisk together 1 cup flour and 3 tablespoons sugar. Cut in 5 tablespoons cold butter using a pastry cutter or your fingers until the mixture is crumbly. Press this mixture evenly into the bottom of a greased 9×13 inch baking pan to form the crust.
Make the Gooey Butter Filling: In a large bowl, beat 3/4 cup room temperature butter with 3/4 cup sugar until light and fluffy. Add 1/4 cup light corn syrup and 1 large egg and beat until combined. Gradually mix in 1 cup flour and 2/3 cup evaporated milk until the batter is smooth and well combined.
Assemble and Bake: Pour the gooey butter filling evenly over the prepared crust. Drizzle half of the reserved salted caramel evenly over the top. Bake the bars in the preheated oven for about 50 minutes, or until the filling is set but still slightly jiggly in the center.
Cool and Serve: Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack. Once cooled, drizzle the remaining salted caramel over the top. Cut into squares and serve.

Notes

Make sure to use room temperature ingredients for the filling to ensure a smooth batter.
Be cautious when making caramel as it can bubble and become very hot.
Bars should be slightly jiggly in the center when removed to avoid overbaking and maintain gooeyness.
Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for up to a week.
For extra flavor, sprinkle a tiny pinch of flaky sea salt on top after drizzling the caramel.

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 50 minutes
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Keywords: Salted caramel, gooey butter bars, dessert bars, caramel dessert, homemade caramel, buttery crust, rich dessert