Description
Delight in these Salted Caramel Gooey Butter Bars, featuring a buttery cake crust topped with a luscious cream cheese filling, drizzled with rich caramel sauce, and finished with a sprinkle of sea salt. Perfect for those craving a decadent, sweet treat with a hint of salty balance.
Ingredients
Scale
Crust
- 1 box yellow cake mix
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 egg
Filling
- 1 package (8 oz) cream cheese, softened
- 2 eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 4 cups powdered sugar
Topping
- 1/2 cup caramel sauce
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
Instructions
- Preheat and Prep: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13 inch baking dish to prevent sticking.
- Make the Crust: In a large bowl, combine the yellow cake mix, melted butter, and 1 egg. Mix thoroughly until well combined.
- Form the Crust: Press the cake mix evenly into the bottom of the greased baking dish to create the crust layer.
- Prepare the Cream Cheese Filling: In a separate bowl, beat the cream cheese until smooth to ensure no lumps remain.
- Add Remaining Ingredients to Filling: Mix in the remaining 2 eggs, vanilla extract, and melted butter with the cream cheese. Beat until fully incorporated.
- Incorporate Powdered Sugar: Gradually add the powdered sugar, continuously mixing until the filling is smooth and creamy.
- Assemble Filling Layer: Pour the cream cheese mixture over the prepared crust, spreading it evenly for uniform baking.
- Add Caramel Topping: Drizzle the caramel sauce evenly over the top of the cream cheese layer.
- Sprinkle Sea Salt: Distribute sea salt evenly over the caramel for a perfect sweet-salty contrast.
- Bake: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 40-45 minutes until the edges are golden brown and the center is set but still gooey.
- Cool and Serve: Allow the bars to cool completely in the baking dish before cutting into 24 squares to retain their gooey texture.
Notes
- Ensure the cream cheese is softened at room temperature for easier mixing and a smoother filling.
- Use high-quality caramel sauce for the best flavor impact.
- For cleaner cuts, chill the bars slightly after cooling before slicing.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
- These bars can be served slightly warm or cold based on preference.
