Description
These Salted Caramel Gooey Butter Bars feature a buttery crust topped with a rich, creamy filling swirled with luscious salted caramel. Perfectly balanced with a hint of sea salt, these bars offer an irresistible gooey texture and decadent flavor, ideal for dessert lovers seeking an indulgent treat.
Ingredients
Scale
Crust
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Filling
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 (14 oz) can sweetened condensed milk
- ½ cup salted caramel sauce (store-bought or homemade)
Topping
- Flaky sea salt, for topping
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×9-inch baking dish with parchment paper to prevent sticking and make cleanup easier.
- Make the Crust: In a mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until the mixture becomes light and fluffy. Gradually add the all-purpose flour and salt, mixing until a soft dough forms.
- Bake the Crust: Press the dough evenly into the prepared baking dish. Bake for 15 minutes until lightly golden around the edges. Allow the crust to cool slightly before adding the filling.
- Prepare the Filling: Beat the softened cream cheese in a separate bowl until smooth and creamy. Add the eggs, vanilla extract, and sweetened condensed milk, mixing well until a smooth, creamy batter forms.
- Assemble Bars: Pour the cream cheese filling over the slightly cooled crust in the baking dish. Drizzle the salted caramel sauce over the filling. Using a knife, gently swirl the caramel into the filling to create a marbled effect.
- Bake the Bars: Bake for 25–30 minutes until the edges are set and lightly golden but the center still jiggles slightly when you gently shake the pan. This ensures a gooey texture.
- Add Topping and Chill: While the bars are still warm, sprinkle flaky sea salt evenly on top to enhance the caramel flavor. Allow bars to cool completely, then refrigerate for at least 2 hours to set before slicing into 16 bars.
Notes
- For best results, use room temperature butter and cream cheese for smooth mixing.
- Store bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
- Use high-quality salted caramel sauce or homemade for the richest flavor.
- Ensure bars are fully chilled before cutting to achieve clean slices.
- Optionally, you can warm the bars slightly before serving to enhance gooeyness.