Description
Salted caramel butter cake bars deliver a rich, indulgent dessert perfect for special occasions. Creamy caramel and buttery layers combine to create an irresistible treat you won’t want to miss.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 cup butter
- 1 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 2 eggs
- 1 cup flour
- 8 ounces (226 grams) cream cheese
Flavor Enhancers:
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup salted caramel sauce
Finishing Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup confectioners’ sugar
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
Instructions
- Warm the oven to 350°F and create a non-stick surface by carefully lining the baking pan with parchment paper, allowing slight overhang for easy removal.
- Whip softened butter and granulated sugar until fluffy and pale, then incorporate eggs and vanilla extract, mixing until smooth and integrated.
- Gently fold flour into the butter mixture, stirring until just combined without overmixing, then evenly press the batter into the prepared pan’s bottom.
- Craft the cream cheese layer by blending cream cheese with powdered sugar and eggs until silky and uniform in texture.
- Delicately cascade the cream cheese mixture over the cake base, ensuring an even distribution across the surface.
- Artfully drizzle salted caramel sauce across the cream cheese layer, using a knife to create elegant swirling patterns.
- Transfer the pan to the preheated oven and bake approximately 35-40 minutes, watching for a golden-brown edge and slightly jiggly center.
- After removing from oven, sprinkle a delicate layer of sea salt across the surface and allow to cool completely at room temperature.
- Once cooled, lift the bars from the pan using parchment edges and slice into precise, uniform squares for serving.
Notes
- Soften butter and cream cheese at room temperature for easier mixing and smoother texture.
- Avoid overmixing the cake base to prevent a tough, dense texture; mix just until ingredients are combined.
- For a gluten-free version, substitute all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend.
- Enhance the caramel flavor by using homemade salted caramel sauce or a high-quality store-bought version.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 280 kcal
- Sugar: 20 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0.2 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 45 mg