Gooey Salted Caramel Butter Cake Bars Recipe

Ready to elevate your dessert game with a show-stopping treat that blends sweet and salty perfection? Gooey Salted Caramel Butter Cake Bars aren't just another recipe—they're a culinary adventure waiting to transform your baking skills. You'll learn how to turn a simple cake mix into a decadent masterpiece that'll have everyone asking for your secret. Imagine creating a dessert so irresistible, it becomes the star of your next gathering. Intrigued? Let's uncover the magic behind these indulgent bars.

Recipe Highlights

• Transform a simple yellow cake mix into decadent bars by layering melted butter, eggs, and caramel candies with a sprinkle of sea salt.
• Create a smooth caramel sauce by melting caramel candies with 2 tablespoons of water, ensuring a gooey texture that complements the butter cake base.
• Bake the cake in layers, pressing half the batter into the pan, adding caramel, and topping with remaining batter for a rich, indulgent dessert.
• Enhance flavor complexity by balancing the sweetness of caramel with sea salt, creating a sophisticated dessert that appeals to both sweet and savory palates.
• Chill the cake bars for at least 2 hours before serving, using a warm knife to cut clean, precise slices that showcase the dessert's golden-brown finish.

History

While the exact origins of salted caramel butter cake bars remain somewhat shrouded in culinary mystery, the dessert represents a delightful fusion of traditional baking techniques and modern flavor innovations.

You'll trace this treat's roots to several key culinary developments:

• French pastry chefs first popularized salted caramel in Brittany during the 1970s.
• American bakeries began experimenting with salted caramel in the early 2000s.
• Box cake mixes revolutionized home baking, making complex recipes more accessible.

The combination of sweet cake and salty caramel reflects broader food trends emphasizing contrasting flavor profiles.

Professional and home bakers alike embraced this technique, transforming simple ingredients into sophisticated desserts.

Your salted caramel butter cake bars connect you to a rich tradition of culinary creativity, bridging classic baking methods with contemporary taste preferences.

Recipe

Salted Caramel Butter Cake Bars represent the ultimate indulgence for dessert lovers seeking a perfect balance between sweet and salty. These decadent bars transform a simple yellow cake mix into a luxurious treat that melts in your mouth, featuring a rich butter cake base topped with gooey caramel and a sprinkle of sea salt.

The magic of this recipe lies in its simplicity, requiring just a few pantry staples to create an impressive dessert that looks and tastes like it came from a professional bakery. With minimal preparation and straightforward techniques, home bakers can easily craft these irresistible bars that are sure to become a family favorite.

Ingredients:

• 1 box yellow cake mix
• 2 sticks unsalted butter, melted
• 3 large eggs
• 14 oz caramel candies
• 1 tablespoon sea salt

Preheat the oven to 350°F and prepare a 9×13-inch baking pan by lining it with parchment paper. In a large mixing bowl, combine the cake mix, melted butter, and 2 eggs, stirring until the mixture is well blended. Press half of this batter into the prepared pan, creating an even base layer, and bake for 15 minutes.

While the base is baking, melt the caramel candies in the microwave using 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval to ensure smooth consistency. Once the cake base is done, remove it from the oven and pour the melted caramel evenly over the surface, then sprinkle with sea salt.

Drop the remaining batter by spoonfuls over the caramel layer, and brush the top with the beaten remaining egg. Return the pan to the oven and bake for an additional 25-30 minutes, or until the top is golden brown.

For the best results, allow the bars to cool completely at room temperature, then refrigerate for at least 2 hours to help the caramel set properly. This chilling time will make cutting the bars easier and enhance the texture.

When cutting, use a knife warmed under hot water to create clean, smooth edges through the caramel layer. To prevent the caramels from burning during melting, add 2 tablespoons of water, which will help achieve a smoother, more consistent caramel sauce.

Cooking Steps

You'll start by gathering all your ingredients and tools, ensuring everything is prepped and ready for your salted caramel butter cake bars adventure.

The first step involves mixing your cake mix ingredients—combining the yellow cake mix, melted butter, and eggs to create a rich, smooth batter that'll form the base of your decadent dessert.

Next, you'll begin the strategic layering process, carefully pressing half the mixture into your prepared pan, baking it to a golden foundation, and then adding the luscious caramel and sea salt layer that'll transform these bars into a truly irresistible treat.

Step 1. Gather Ingredients and Tools

Kitchen alchemy begins with methodical preparation, transforming simple ingredients into a gooey, decadent dessert.

Gather these essential tools before starting:

• 9×13-inch baking pan
• Parchment paper
• Microwave-safe bowl
• Electric mixer
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Spatula
• Sharp knife

Collect your ingredients, ensuring everything is fresh and room temperature:

• Yellow cake mix (1 box)
• Unsalted butter (2 sticks)
• Large eggs (3)
• Caramel candies (14 oz)
• Sea salt (1 tablespoon)

Pro tip: Verify ingredient freshness, especially the eggs and butter. Check expiration dates and ensure butter isn't discolored or rancid. Organize ingredients on your countertop for efficient workflow, creating a mise en place that sets you up for baking success.

Step 2. Mix Cake Mix Ingredients

A butter-laden journey begins with transforming cake mix into a dreamy base for our salted caramel bars. You'll want to grab your mixing bowl and prepare for a simple yet delectable process. Measure out the yellow cake mix, ensuring you have a level cup, then add two sticks of melted butter and two eggs.

Whisk these ingredients together until they form a smooth, cohesive batter with no dry clumps:

• Mix thoroughly
• Watch for consistent texture
• Avoid overmixing

The goal is a slightly dense mixture that'll create a rich, moist foundation for your bars. Pay attention to the consistency – it should be spreadable but not runny.

When half the batter is pressed into your prepared pan, you'll create the first layer of this decadent dessert, setting the stage for the caramel magic to come.

Step 3. Prepare Caramel Layer

After pressing the first layer of cake batter into the pan, the caramel transformation awaits.

You'll want to unwrap the caramel candies carefully, placing them in a microwave-safe bowl. Add 2 tablespoons of water to prevent scorching and ensure smooth melting. Microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring between each burst until the caramels become a luxurious, glossy liquid.

Key caramel preparation steps:

• Use medium power on microwave
• Stir frequently to prevent burning
• Look for a silky, pourable consistency
• Watch for complete candy dissolution

Once melted, work quickly to pour the caramel evenly over the pre-baked cake base.

Sprinkle sea salt across the surface, creating delightful pockets of salty-sweet flavor. The golden caramel will provide a rich, decadent layer that elevates your butter cake bars from simple to spectacular.

Step 4. Bake Bottom Cake Layer

When preheating your oven to 350°F, you'll want to set yourself up for baking success by preparing your 9×13-inch baking pan.

Line the pan carefully with parchment paper, ensuring the edges are smooth and fully covered to prevent sticking.

Combine your cake mix, melted butter, and two eggs in a mixing bowl.

Blend the ingredients thoroughly, watching for a uniform consistency that's slightly thick and glossy.

Press exactly half the batter into the prepared pan, using the back of a spatula to create an even, compact layer.

Slide the pan into the preheated oven and bake for precisely 15 minutes.

Look for subtle golden edges and a slightly firm center as your visual doneness cues.

This initial baking establishes a sturdy foundation for your decadent salted caramel bars.

Step 5. Add Caramel and Salt

Once your bottom cake layer emerges golden and set from its initial bake, you'll shift gears to creating the luscious caramel component.

Unwrap the caramel candies carefully, placing them in a microwave-safe bowl. Add 2 tablespoons of water to prevent scorching, then microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring between each burst until smooth and pourable.

Carefully pour the molten caramel over the baked cake base, ensuring even coverage. Use a spatula to spread the caramel to the edges, creating a uniform layer.

Sprinkle sea salt generously across the surface, focusing on distributing the crystals evenly for balanced flavor. The salt will cut through the caramel's sweetness, creating a complex taste profile that elevates the entire dessert.

Final Thoughts

The decadence of these salted caramel butter cake bars represents a culinary triumph that's both simple and sophisticated. You'll find this recipe transforms basic ingredients into an extraordinary dessert that'll impress friends and family.

Each bar delivers a perfect balance of rich, buttery cake and gooey, salty-sweet caramel, creating a complex flavor profile that's surprisingly easy to achieve.

When serving, remember these key tips: refrigerate before cutting, use a warm knife for clean edges, and store properly to maintain texture.

Whether you're a novice baker or a seasoned pro, these bars offer a foolproof way to elevate your dessert game. The minimal ingredient list and straightforward technique mean you can confidently create a bakery-worthy treat right in your own kitchen.