Description
Salted caramel butter cake bars deliver pure dessert bliss with luxurious layers of sweet and salty goodness. Rich, buttery squares promise a heavenly experience that melts in your mouth and satisfies deep comfort cravings.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 cup (227 grams) butter
- 2 cups (400 grams) sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 8 ounces (226 grams) cream cheese
- 2 cups (240 grams) all-purpose flour
Flavoring Ingredients:
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Topping and Finishing Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup (170 grams) salted caramel sauce
- 1/2 cup (60 grams) powdered sugar
Instructions
- Meticulously line a rectangular baking pan with parchment paper, ensuring complete coverage for effortless removal.
- Cream softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy, incorporating eggs and vanilla extract to develop a silky smooth cake foundation.
- Gently transfer the velvety cake batter into the prepared pan, spreading evenly with a spatula to create a uniform base layer.
- Partially bake the cake layer until it sets slightly, developing a golden edge and slightly firm texture.
- Craft a luxurious salted caramel filling by carefully heating sugar until it transforms into a rich amber liquid, then introduce heavy cream and butter to create a glossy, decadent sauce.
- Delicately pour the warm salted caramel over the partially baked cake layer, allowing it to seep into the soft cake base.
- Whip cream cheese with powdered sugar until smooth, creating a luscious topping that will complement the caramel’s deep flavor profile.
- Drizzle the cream cheese mixture across the caramel layer, using a knife to create elegant swirls and patterns.
- Return the pan to the oven, baking until the top becomes golden and the edges develop a slight crisp, signaling the perfect texture.
- Remove from the oven and allow the dessert to cool completely at room temperature, enabling the layers to set and flavors to meld.
- Once cooled, lift the entire dessert from the pan using parchment paper edges and slice into precise, elegant bars.
- Garnish with a light dusting of flaky sea salt to enhance the caramel’s complexity and serve at room temperature.
Notes
- Choose high-quality butter for a richer, more decadent flavor profile that elevates the entire dessert experience.
- Ensure all ingredients are at room temperature to guarantee smooth mixing and consistent texture throughout the cake bars.
- Use flaky sea salt like Maldon for the caramel layer to create delightful bursts of salty-sweet contrast that will surprise taste buds.
- Chill the bars completely before cutting to achieve clean, precise edges and prevent the layers from blending together messily.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 18 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 32 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 50 mg