If you're a fan of the ultimate sweet and salty combo, these Gooey Salted Caramel Butter Cake Bars will hit all the right notes. This dessert offers a rich, buttery base topped with a luscious, gooey layer of salted caramel that melts in your mouth with every bite. Whether you're preparing them for a party, a family gathering, or just to treat yourself, these bars are sure to be a hit. They combine a buttery cake-like crust with a decadent caramel filling, all balanced with a sprinkle of flaky sea salt to create the perfect indulgence.
Craving something irresistibly sweet and salty? Read on to discover how to make these heavenly bars!
What Are Gooey Salted Caramel Butter Cake Bars?
Gooey Salted Caramel Butter Cake Bars are a dessert that combines the richness of a butter cake base with the gooey goodness of a salted caramel topping. The bars are baked until they develop a crispy edge and a soft, ooey-gooey center. The final touch is a sprinkle of flaky sea salt on top, which enhances the caramel flavor and adds a delightful contrast to the sweetness.
These bars are a twist on the classic butter cake, elevated by the addition of a gooey salted caramel layer. Each bite provides a perfect harmony of flavors—sweet, buttery, and salty all at once. Best of all, they're incredibly easy to make with simple ingredients.
Ingredients List for Gooey Salted Caramel Butter Cake Bars
Here's a breakdown of what you'll need to make these decadent bars:
For the Butter Cake Base:
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
For the Salted Caramel Layer:
- 1 cup caramel sauce (store-bought or homemade)
- ½ teaspoon sea salt (plus extra for topping)
- ¼ cup heavy cream
- ¼ cup unsalted butter
For the Gooey Topping:
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 cups powdered sugar
Optional Topping:
- Flaky sea salt for garnish
Substitutions and Variations
You can easily adapt this recipe to fit your preferences or dietary needs. Here are some substitutions and variations to try:
- Gluten-Free Option: Replace the all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking flour blend to make this dessert gluten-free.
- Dairy-Free Version: Use vegan butter and dairy-free cream cheese for a dairy-free version of these bars. Coconut cream can also be used instead of heavy cream.
- Caramel Sauce Substitutes: If you want to experiment, try using dulce de leche or butterscotch sauce in place of the caramel sauce for a slightly different flavor profile.
- Chocolate Swirl: For a chocolatey twist, melt some semi-sweet chocolate and drizzle it over the caramel layer before adding the gooey topping.
Step-by-Step Cooking Instructions
How to Make the Butter Cake Base:
- Preheat the oven: Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9x13-inch baking pan or line it with parchment paper for easy removal.
- Cream the butter and sugar: In a large bowl, use a hand mixer or stand mixer to cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy, about 3–4 minutes.
- Add eggs and vanilla: Beat in the eggs one at a time, making sure to fully incorporate each egg before adding the next. Stir in the vanilla extract.
- Mix in dry ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, mixing until just combined. The batter will be thick.
- Press into pan: Press the batter evenly into the prepared baking pan, using a spatula or your hands to smooth it out. Set aside.
How to Make the Salted Caramel Layer:
- Melt butter and cream: In a small saucepan over low heat, melt the butter and mix it with the heavy cream until smooth.
- Add caramel and salt: Stir in the caramel sauce and sea salt, and heat the mixture gently until it’s warmed through and well combined. This will give you a rich, gooey salted caramel.
- Spread over the base: Pour the salted caramel mixture over the butter cake base, spreading it evenly to cover the entire surface.
How to Make the Gooey Topping:
- Beat cream cheese and eggs: In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese until smooth. Add the eggs and vanilla extract, and beat until combined.
- Incorporate powdered sugar: Gradually add the powdered sugar, beating on low speed until the mixture is smooth and creamy. The result should be a thick, spreadable topping.
- Layer on top of caramel: Pour the cream cheese mixture over the caramel layer, spreading it out evenly with a spatula.
Bake the Bars:
- Bake: Place the bars in the preheated oven and bake for 35–40 minutes. The edges should be set, but the center will still be slightly gooey. Don’t overbake them—you want that gooey texture!
- Cool: Remove the bars from the oven and allow them to cool completely in the pan. Once cooled, sprinkle with flaky sea salt for that final salted caramel touch.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Overmixing the Batter: Overmixing can make the butter cake base tough. Be sure to mix the ingredients just until combined for a tender, crumbly texture.
- Not Softening the Cream Cheese: Cold cream cheese will result in a lumpy topping. Make sure it’s fully softened before you begin beating it into the topping mixture.
- Overbaking: The key to gooey butter cake bars is not overbaking them. You want a slight jiggle in the center when you take them out of the oven. As they cool, they’ll firm up while still maintaining that gooey texture.
- Forgetting the Salt: The sea salt in this recipe isn't just decorative; it balances the sweetness of the caramel and enhances the overall flavor. Don’t skip it!
Serving and Presentation Tips
These bars are rich and decadent, so a small square goes a long way! Here are some tips for serving and presenting your Gooey Salted Caramel Butter Cake Bars.
How to Serve Gooey Salted Caramel Butter Cake Bars:
- Slice into squares: Use a sharp knife to cut the bars into even squares. To prevent the knife from sticking to the gooey filling, you can run it under hot water and wipe it dry between cuts.
- Serve at room temperature: These bars are best served at room temperature. If you’ve stored them in the fridge, allow them to sit out for about 15 minutes before serving for the gooey texture to return.
Presentation Ideas for Gooey Salted Caramel Butter Cake Bars:
- Drizzle extra caramel: Before serving, drizzle additional caramel sauce over the top of the bars for extra indulgence.
- Top with whipped cream: Serve the bars with a dollop of freshly whipped cream on the side for a light and airy contrast to the rich dessert.
- Garnish with sea salt: A sprinkle of flaky sea salt just before serving adds both visual appeal and a flavor boost.
Gooey Salted Caramel Butter Cake Bars Recipe Tips
- Make Ahead: These bars can be made ahead of time and stored in the fridge for up to 5 days. Let them come to room temperature before serving for the best texture.
- Freezing: You can also freeze the bars for up to 3 months. To freeze, wrap individual bars in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer-safe container. Thaw in the fridge overnight or at room temperature before serving.
- Add-Ins: Want to take it to the next level? Consider adding chocolate chips or crushed pretzels into the caramel layer for extra texture and flavor.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can I Use Store-Bought Caramel Sauce?
Yes, store-bought caramel sauce works perfectly in this recipe. Just make sure to use a thick, high-quality caramel sauce for the best results.
Do I Have to Use Sea Salt on Top?
The sea salt is what gives these bars their signature salted caramel flavor. If you don’t have flaky sea salt, you can use coarse kosher salt instead, but be careful not to over-salt.
How Do I Know When the Bars Are Done?
The bars should be slightly golden at the edges but still have a jiggle in the center when you take them out of the oven. This jiggle ensures that gooey texture you're aiming for.
Conclusion
These Gooey Salted Caramel Butter Cake Bars are an indulgent, sweet-and-salty treat that will satisfy even the most intense dessert cravings. The combination of a buttery cake base, gooey salted caramel, and rich cream cheese topping creates a dessert that’s simply irresistible. Whether you're making them for a special occasion or as a midweek treat, they're sure to become a favorite. Plus, with simple ingredients and straightforward steps, you can whip them up with ease.
Happy baking!
PrintGooey Salted Caramel Butter Cake Bars Recipe
- Total Time: 2 hours (includes cooling time)
- Yield: 12-16 bars
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Gooey Salted Caramel Butter Cake Bars are the ultimate sweet and salty treat! A rich, buttery cake base is topped with a luscious layer of salted caramel and a cream cheese topping for a decadent, gooey texture. Perfect for dessert lovers who crave the perfect balance of rich butter, sweet caramel, and a hint of salt. Serve these bars at gatherings, parties, or as a delicious indulgence any time!
Ingredients
- For the base:
- 1 box yellow cake mix
- ½ cup melted butter
- 1 large egg
- For the filling:
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 3 ½ cups powdered sugar
- ½ cup salted caramel sauce
- ¼ tsp sea salt
- For topping:
- ¼ cup salted caramel sauce (for drizzling)
- Additional sea salt (for sprinkling)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F and grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
- In a bowl, mix cake mix, melted butter, and egg until combined. Press mixture into the prepared pan for the base layer.
- In another bowl, beat cream cheese until smooth. Add eggs, vanilla, and powdered sugar; mix until fully combined.
- Pour half of the cream cheese mixture over the base, then drizzle salted caramel sauce over the top.
- Add the remaining cream cheese mixture and gently spread it over the caramel.
- Bake for 35-40 minutes, until the edges are set and the center is slightly gooey.
- Once cool, drizzle additional caramel sauce and sprinkle sea salt before cutting into bars.
Notes
- Allow the bars to cool completely before slicing to ensure clean cuts.
- For extra gooeyness, slightly underbake the bars by a few minutes.
- You can use store-bought caramel sauce or make your own for a richer flavor.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar (approx. 1/16 of recipe)
- Calories: 380
- Sugar: 46g
- Sodium: 260mg
Leave a Reply