Description
Rich and indulgent salted caramel butter cake bars delight dessert enthusiasts with their irresistible layers of sweetness. Buttery, caramel-infused squares deliver a perfect balance of salty and sweet that you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 box yellow cake mix
- 12 cup (113 grams) unsalted butter, melted
- 8 oz (226 grams) cream cheese, softened
- 3 large eggs (1 for base, 2 for filling)
Sweeteners and Flavor Enhancers:
- 4 cups (480 grams) powdered sugar
- 1/4 cup (60 ml) salted caramel sauce
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Finishing Ingredients:
- 1/2 teaspoon sea salt (plus extra for sprinkling)
Instructions
- Prepare the oven to 350F (175C) and thoroughly coat a 9×13-inch baking pan with cooking spray or butter.
- Combine cake mix, melted butter, and one egg in a mixing bowl, kneading until a cohesive dough forms.
- Firmly press the mixture into the pan, creating an even, compact base layer that covers the entire bottom surface.
- Using an electric mixer, whip cream cheese until silky and light, ensuring no lumps remain.
- Incorporate remaining eggs, vanilla extract, and caramel sauce into the cream cheese mixture, blending until smooth and uniform.
- Gradually fold in powdered sugar, mixing continuously to prevent clumping and achieve a creamy consistency.
- Gently cascade the cream cheese mixture over the prepared cake base, spreading it evenly with a spatula.
- Sprinkle sea salt across the surface, creating a delicate, balanced seasoning layer.
- Transfer the pan to the preheated oven and bake for 35-40 minutes, watching for set edges and a slightly jiggly center.
- Remove from oven and allow the bars to cool completely at room temperature, which helps the texture solidify.
- Once cooled, slice into precise squares using a sharp knife.
- Enhance the presentation with an additional caramel drizzle and a final pinch of sea salt before serving.
Notes
- Swap cake mix for gluten-free version to accommodate dietary restrictions, ensuring everyone can enjoy this decadent dessert.
- Use room temperature ingredients to create smoother, more evenly mixed cream cheese layer that blends perfectly without lumps.
- Chill bars completely before cutting for cleaner, more precise squares that showcase the beautiful gooey texture and caramel swirls.
- Experiment with different salted caramel brands or homemade sauce to personalize the flavor profile and elevate the richness of the dessert.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 16
- Calories: 400 kcal
- Sugar: 35 g
- Sodium: 210 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 13 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 48 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg