Buttery shortbread crust oozes with gooey salted caramel layer baked golden crisp — Easy Salted Caramel Butter Bars (Party Perfect) deliver decadent bite-sized indulgence. Shortbread snaps flaky, caramel chews sticky-sweet with flaky sea salt crunch — 45-minute crowd-pleaser feeds 24 under $12, holiday trays, dessert table mastery.
Introduction
Easy Salted Caramel Butter Bars capture candy bar genius: press-in shortbread base bakes sturdy, dulce de leche or homemade caramel pours molten, second butter-crumble layer seals golden. Flaked sea salt crystals caramelize providing addictive sweet-salty shatter against gooey dissolve. No candy thermometer, store-bought caramel shortcut.
Perfect cookie swaps, potlucks, Super Bowl. Freezer-friendly squares. Scales effortlessly parties. Caramel-butter aromas bakery instant.
What Makes Salted Caramel Bars Special
Shortbread high butterfat tender-crisp base. Dulce de leche pre-caramelized depth vs white sugar cook. Brown sugar crumble cinnamon warmth. Flaky sea salt post-bake crystals snap vs table salt dissolve. Powdered sugar dust elegant finish.
350°F dual bake seals caramel, crisps crumb. Every square butter snap, caramel chew, salt explosion.
Texture perfection: flaky crust, molten center, crunchy top.
Essential Ingredients
Shortbread Crust
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup cold unsalted butter, cubed
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- ½ tsp salt
Caramel Filling
- 14 oz can dulce de leche (or salted caramel sauce)
Butter Crumble Top
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- ¾ cup cold unsalted butter, cubed
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- ½ tsp salt
- Flaky sea salt + powdered sugar finish
Step-by-Step Instructions
Shortbread Press Crust
Preheat 350°F. 9×13 parchment. Food processor: flour + powdered sugar + salt pulse. Butter cubes pulse pea-size crumbs. Press even ¼-inch base. 15 minutes pale golden.
Dulce Pour Seal
Hot crust dulce de leche pour even smooth. No spread—runs natural.
Crumble Top Layer
Bowl: brown sugar + flour + cinnamon + salt whisk. Butter cubes cut fork pea crumbs. Sprinkle loose over caramel—no press sink.
Golden Dual Bake
25-30 minutes edges deep golden, center set slight jiggle. Cool rack 2 hours caramel firms. Flaky sea salt sprinkle. Powdered sugar dust.
Square Precision
Sharp knife warm water wipe clean 3×4-inch squares (24 yield).
Pro Tips for Success
Cold butter = flaky layers.
Dulce de leche room-temp pours smooth.
Loose crumble—no compact soggy.
Sea salt post-bake crystals intact.
Cool complete = clean cut.
Powdered sugar sifter even dust.
Serving Suggestions
Coffee dunking ritual.
Ice cream sandwich vanilla.
Holiday platters: ribbon tie.
Potluck squares foil.
Milk pairing perfect.
Chocolate drizzle half-dip.
Variations and Customizations
Homemade caramel: sugar + cream stovetop.
Peanut butter dulce swirl.
Chocolate chips crumble mix.
Sea salt chocolate ganache top.
Vegan: plant butter, coconut dulce.
Gluten-free: 1:1 blend.
Mini muffin tin bites.
Why Perfect for Party
45 minutes total—bake hands-off.
Yields 24; $10-12 bakery fifth.
Room-temp 3 days crisp.
Freezer 2 months thaw serve.
Caramel aromas market instant.
Scales buffets effortlessly.
Conclusion
Easy Salted Caramel Butter Bars prove party perfect needs shortbread basics: press crust + dulce pour + crumble bake 45-minute decadence mastery. Dual texture + sea salt delivers candy bar perfection effortlessly.
Flaky snap + gooey chew ensures square addiction consistently scaling swaps or platters. Butter depth elevates instant. Press tonight—discover caramel bars redefine dessert mastery.
