Gooey Salted Caramel Butter Cake Bars Recipe

Craving something rich, decadent, and irresistibly delicious? This recipe for Gooey Salted Caramel Butter Cake Bars is sure to satisfy your sweet tooth. With a buttery cake base, a gooey caramel center, and a sprinkling of sea salt, these bars strike the perfect balance between sweet and salty. Read on to learn how to create these indulgent treats, perfect for any dessert table or just a special snack at home.

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What are Gooey Salted Caramel Butter Cake Bars?

Gooey Salted Caramel Butter Cake Bars are a dessert made up of layers of sweet, buttery cake and rich, sticky caramel. The gooey caramel filling is enhanced with a touch of sea salt, providing a perfect counterbalance to the sweetness. The result is a treat that’s soft, chewy, and loaded with flavor. They are easy to prepare, yet they deliver a bakery-quality dessert right in your own kitchen.

Ingredients List for Gooey Salted Caramel Butter Cake Bars

To make these bars, you will need two sets of ingredients: one for the buttery cake base and another for the gooey caramel filling. Here's what you will need for the entire recipe.

Ingredients for the Cake Base:

• 1 box yellow cake mix (approximately 15.25 oz)
• 1 large egg
• ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Ingredients for the Gooey Caramel Filling:

• ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
• 8 oz cream cheese, softened
• 2 large eggs
• 2 cups powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ½ cup caramel sauce (store-bought or homemade)
• 1 teaspoon sea salt, plus extra for sprinkling on top

Substitutions and Variations

Feel free to make adjustments to suit your dietary needs or flavor preferences. Here are a few substitutions and variations you can try:

• Cake Mix Substitute: If you prefer to avoid boxed cake mix, you can use a homemade yellow cake recipe instead. You'll need flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, and butter for a DIY cake base.
• Gluten-Free Option: Substitute the regular cake mix with a gluten-free cake mix for a gluten-free version.
• Dairy-Free Option: Swap out the butter and cream cheese for dairy-free versions like coconut oil or vegan butter, and use a plant-based cream cheese substitute.
• Different Flavors: Try experimenting with different flavored cake mixes such as chocolate or vanilla if you want to change things up. You can also use flavored caramel sauces like bourbon caramel or chocolate caramel for added depth.
• Nut Add-Ins: Add chopped pecans, walnuts, or almonds to the cake mixture for an extra crunch and nutty flavor.

Step-by-Step Cooking Instructions

Now that you have your ingredients ready, it's time to put everything together. These Gooey Salted Caramel Butter Cake Bars come together easily, but it's essential to follow each step for the best result. Here's a step-by-step guide to ensure your bars turn out perfectly gooey and delicious.

How to Cook Gooey Salted Caramel Butter Cake Bars: A Step-by-Step Guide

1. Preheat the Oven: Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line a 9x13-inch baking dish with parchment paper, ensuring the paper overhangs the sides for easy removal later.
2. Prepare the Cake Base: In a large mixing bowl, combine the yellow cake mix, melted butter, egg, and vanilla extract. Stir until well combined. The mixture will be thick and sticky. Press this dough evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking dish to form the base layer.
3. Make the Gooey Caramel Filling: In another mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and cream cheese together until smooth and creamy. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract and powdered sugar, mixing until fully combined. The mixture should be smooth and slightly runny.
4. Layer the Caramel: Pour the caramel sauce over the cake base, spreading it evenly with a spatula. Sprinkle the sea salt over the caramel. Then, pour the cream cheese mixture over the caramel layer, spreading it out evenly to cover the caramel.
5. Bake the Bars: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 35-40 minutes. The top should be golden brown, but the center will still be slightly soft and gooey. If you prefer a firmer bar, bake for an additional 5-10 minutes, but be careful not to overcook.
6. Cool and Set: Once the bars are done baking, remove them from the oven and allow them to cool in the pan for at least 30 minutes. After cooling, transfer the pan to the refrigerator for another hour to help the bars set completely before cutting into them.
7. Cut and Serve: Use the overhanging parchment paper to lift the entire dessert out of the pan. Cut into bars using a sharp knife. Sprinkle a little extra sea salt on top of each bar before serving for that perfect salty-sweet bite.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Making Gooey Salted Caramel Butter Cake Bars is relatively simple, but a few common mistakes can impact the final outcome. Here are some things to watch out for:

• Overmixing the Cake Base: Avoid overmixing the cake base, as this can make it tough and dry. Mix just until the ingredients come together.
• Not Softening Butter and Cream Cheese: Using cold butter or cream cheese can result in a lumpy filling. Make sure both are softened to room temperature for a smooth and creamy texture.
• Undercooking or Overcooking: Timing is key. You want the center to remain slightly gooey, but the bars shouldn’t be too undercooked or they won’t hold their shape. If you prefer firmer bars, add a few extra minutes to the baking time, but watch closely to avoid over-baking.
• Not Letting the Bars Set: Patience is crucial! Allow the bars to cool and set completely before cutting. If they’re too warm, they won’t hold together properly, and you’ll end up with a messy (though still delicious) dessert.

Serving and Presentation Tips

Presentation matters, especially if you’re serving these bars to guests or bringing them to a party. Here are a few tips to serve and present your Gooey Salted Caramel Butter Cake Bars in style:

How to Serve Gooey Salted Caramel Butter Cake Bars

• Chilled or Room Temperature: These bars can be served either chilled or at room temperature. Serving them chilled helps the gooey center firm up slightly, while serving them at room temperature gives a softer, more indulgent bite.
• Pair with Coffee or Milk: The richness of these bars pairs wonderfully with a cup of strong black coffee, a creamy latte, or a cold glass of milk.
• Drizzle Extra Caramel: For a fancier touch, drizzle some extra caramel sauce over each bar right before serving.

Presentation Ideas for Gooey Salted Caramel Butter Cake Bars

• Plate with a Caramel Swirl: When plating individual servings, create a swirl of caramel sauce on the plate for an elegant look.
• Sprinkle Sea Salt Last: Always sprinkle a final pinch of sea salt just before serving. The contrast of the salty crystals against the sweet caramel is both visually appealing and delicious.
• Serve on a Cake Stand: Displaying these bars on a cake stand can elevate their presentation, making them look as good as they taste.

Gooey Salted Caramel Butter Cake Bars Recipe Tips

• Use High-Quality Caramel Sauce: Whether you’re using store-bought or homemade, high-quality caramel sauce makes a big difference in flavor.
• Don’t Skip the Parchment Paper: Lining the baking dish with parchment paper makes removing the bars and cutting them much easier. Plus, it helps with cleanup.
• Customize with Toppings: You can add a sprinkle of chopped nuts, mini chocolate chips, or even crushed pretzels to the top of the bars for added texture and flavor.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Can I make these bars ahead of time?
Yes, these bars are perfect for making ahead of time. Store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

2. Can I freeze Gooey Salted Caramel Butter Cake Bars?
Absolutely! Wrap the bars individually in plastic wrap, then store them in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 2 months. Thaw in the refrigerator or at room temperature before serving.

3. Can I use homemade caramel sauce?
Definitely! Homemade caramel sauce will add an extra layer of richness and flavor. If you have a favorite recipe, feel free to use it.

4. Why are my bars too runny?
If the bars are too runny, they may not have baked long enough, or the filling ingredients weren’t mixed thoroughly. Be sure to allow enough time for the bars to set before cutting.

5. Can I add chocolate to this recipe?
Yes! You can swirl some melted chocolate into the caramel layer, or even sprinkle chocolate chips on top of the filling before baking.

Conclusion

There you have it – a recipe for Gooey Salted Caramel Butter Cake Bars that’s sure to become a household favorite. These bars combine the rich flavors of butter, caramel, and sea salt into a decadent dessert that’s easy to make but tastes like it came from a bakery. Whether you’re making them for a special occasion or just because, they’re guaranteed to impress. Try this recipe today and enjoy the perfect combination of sweet, salty, and gooey goodness!

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