Salted Caramel Bars
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Salted Caramel Bars make a great addition to any holiday dessert buffet.
A layer of rich, buttery salted caramel topping on a light, flaky and oh so delicious shortbread crust – how in the world could THAT be wrong?
Honestly though, I’ve had a little bit of an addiction to making caramel lately – specifically salted caramel – and these bars are the perfect way to share my addiction with others.
These salted caramel bars make a wonderful dessert to take to a friend’s house throughout the holidays or to an office party or even to a church potluck. Just be ready with the recipe, because everytime I’ve taken these bars somewhere, I’ve always been asked multiple times how to make them and have sent email after email with the recipe for these babies.
Luckily, from here on out I can simply reply, “Yes, they are on the blog.”
To keep the salted caramel firm, I store the bars in the refrigerator until about 20 minutes before I plan to serve them. If you have to leave them out longer, it won’t hurt anything, the salted caramel will just be a much softer texture. You can decide how you like them best, but I wouldn’t advise eating them straight out of the refrigerator. The caramel will be a bit too sticky at that point until they’ve warmed a bit.
Of course, if you are really desperate and they’ve been in the refrigerator, I have been known to pop one into the microwave for about 10 seconds.
Desperate times call for desperate measures.
Also, I’ve found that they are more easily eaten if you cut them into smaller bars, about 2-inches. If you plan to serve larger bars, I recommend serving them with a fork to eat similar to my caramel pie.
Here’s the recipe for my salted caramel bars. I hope you love them as much as we do!
Salted Caramel Bars Recipe
Ingredients
For the Salted Caramel Layer:
- 1 cup butter, 2 sticks
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1¼ cup packed brown sugar
- ¾ cup light corn syrup
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- ¼ cup half and half
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Instructions
- Shortbread Crust
- Preheat oven to 325º F.
- Make shortbread crust according to directions for a 9×13-inch baking pan. Set aside to cool as you prepare the caramel.
- Salted Caramel Layer
- To prepare the caramel, mix all ingredients through half and half in a heavy bottomed, 3-4 quart saucepan.
- Cook over low to medium heat until the caramel has reached a warm golden brown color and has reached the 250º F on a candy thermometer, or the hard ball stage.
- Remove from the heat, add vanilla extract, and beat until creamy with a wooden spoon.
- Pour onto prepared shortbread crust and allow to cool for about 10 minutes. Cover with plastic and place into the refrigerator for 1-3 hours to overnight to allow caramel to firm.
- Store in the refrigerator to keep the caramel firm, recommended.
- Remove from the refrigerator about 20 minutes before ready to serve.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Enjoy!
Robyn xo
Umm what’s this about “prepare the shortbread crust”? That is definitely not an instruction on how to do anything….
Hi Fionavar,
I’ve updated the recipe to include clearer instructions on the shortbread crust. I hope this helps.
These are dangerous, but oh so yummy! The kind of yummy treat I can only make once a year! Thanks for the wonderful recipe!
What is the best way to get these out of the pan without crushing the shortbread?
Hi Dru,
I generally just cut them in the pan using a very sharp knife and then lift them out with a small turner. I’ve also made them in a pan lined with a piece of buttered parchment paper that hangs over the edge about two inches for ease in lifting them out to cut into larger bars.
Could you use caramel made from sweetened condensed milk for these?
Hi Georgia,
I’ve not made them that way, but I’m sure it would work just fine.
Making these this week- they look amazing!
LOVE!!!!
I’m going to make these right now! They look amazing! What temp. do you put the oven on for the crust? I don’t see that- assume 325?
Thanks Morgan, they are delicious. Yes, 325º.
when do u salt the top?
Hi Cindy! I add salt once the bars have cooled.
Do you still add the salt while cooking if you are going to salt the tops?
You do, Dolly. I’ve updated the recipe to make sure it reads more clearly. Thanks so much!
I don’t think I’d want to share these! Have a fantastic Thanksgiving, Robyn!
These look amazing Robyn! I adore salted caramel.