Salted Caramel Gooey Butter Bars Recipe

Introduction

Salted Caramel Gooey Butter Bars are a decadent dessert that combines a buttery crust with a rich, gooey filling and a luscious salted caramel drizzle. Perfect for satisfying your sweet tooth, these bars offer a delightful balance of sweet and salty flavors in every bite.

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup water
• 1 cup sugar (for caramel)
• 6 tablespoons unsalted butter (cut into tablespoon-sized pieces, for caramel)
• 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream (room temperature, for caramel)
• 1/4 teaspoon salt (for caramel)
• 1 cup all-purpose flour (for crust)
• 3 tablespoons sugar (for crust)
• 5 tablespoons unsalted butter (cold and cut into tablespoon-sized pieces, for crust)
• 3/4 cup sugar (for filling)
• 3/4 cup unsalted butter (room temperature, for filling)
• 1/4 cup light corn syrup (for filling)
• 1 large egg (for filling)
• 1 cup all-purpose flour (for filling)
• 2/3 cup evaporated milk (for filling)

Instructions

1. Step 1: Prepare the salted caramel by combining water and 1 cup sugar in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir until the sugar dissolves, then allow the mixture to boil until it turns amber in color. Remove from heat and carefully stir in 6 tablespoons butter, 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream, and 1/4 teaspoon salt until smooth. Set aside to cool slightly.
2. Step 2: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). In a mixing bowl, combine 1 cup flour and 3 tablespoons sugar. Cut in 5 tablespoons cold butter until the mixture becomes crumbly. Press this mixture evenly into a greased 9×13-inch baking pan to form the crust.
3. Step 3: In a separate bowl, beat 3/4 cup room temperature butter with 3/4 cup sugar until fluffy. Add 1/4 cup light corn syrup and 1 large egg, mixing until well combined. Gradually mix in 1 cup flour and 2/3 cup evaporated milk until smooth.
4. Step 4: Pour the filling batter over the prepared crust. Drizzle half of the salted caramel evenly on top. Bake for about 50 minutes, or until the center is slightly jiggly but set. Let cool completely before cutting into bars. Drizzle with the remaining caramel before serving.

Tips & Variations

• Use a candy thermometer to monitor caramel temperature for perfect amber color and prevent burning.
• For extra texture, sprinkle chopped nuts or sea salt flakes on top before serving.
• Substitute evaporated milk with whole milk or cream for a richer filling.

Storage

Store the gooey butter bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for up to a week. To reheat, warm individual bars briefly in the microwave until soft but not melted.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make the salted caramel ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the caramel a day in advance and store it in the refrigerator. Warm it gently before drizzling over the bars to restore its pourable consistency.

What if I don’t have evaporated milk?

You can substitute evaporated milk with an equal amount of whole milk or a mixture of milk and cream, though the filling may be slightly less rich.