Description
These Salted Caramel Gooey Butter Bars combine a buttery yellow cake crust with a luscious cream cheese filling, topped with rich caramel sauce and a sprinkle of sea salt for the perfect balance of sweet and salty flavors. This indulgent dessert is gooey, rich, and perfect for sharing at any gathering.
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 prepare dish: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish to prevent sticking.
- Make crust mixture: In a large bowl, combine the yellow cake mix, 1/2 cup melted butter, and 1 egg. Stir until all ingredients are well incorporated.
- Form crust layer: Press the cake mix mixture evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking dish to create a uniform crust layer.
- Prepare cream cheese filling: In a separate bowl, beat the softened cream cheese until smooth and creamy.
- Add remaining filling ingredients: To the cream cheese, add the remaining 2 eggs, vanilla extract, and 1/2 cup melted butter. Beat these together until fully combined.
- Incorporate powdered sugar: Gradually add the powdered sugar to the mixture, beating continuously until smooth and no lumps remain.
- Assemble bars: Pour the cream cheese filling over the crust in the baking dish and spread evenly with a spatula.
- Add caramel and salt topping: Drizzle the caramel sauce evenly over the cream cheese layer, then sprinkle the sea salt uniformly on top.
- Bake: Place in the preheated oven and bake for 40 to 45 minutes, or until the edges turn golden brown and the center is set but still gooey.
- Cool: Remove from oven and allow the bars to cool completely in the baking dish to firm up before slicing into 24 squares for serving.
Notes
- Make sure the cream cheese is softened to ensure a smooth filling without lumps.
- Do not overbake; the center should remain slightly gooey for the perfect texture.
- Letting the bars cool completely will make them easier to cut and serve.
- You can substitute caramel sauce with homemade caramel or Dulce de Leche for a richer flavor.
- Use sea salt for an optimal taste contrast, but you can adjust the amount to your preference.
