Name: Salted Caramel Gooey Butter Bars Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 1 h
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 box (15.25 oz) yellow cake mix; ½ cup unsalted butter, melted; 1 large egg; 1 package (8 oz) cream cheese, softened; 2 large eggs; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 4 cups powdered sugar; ½ cup jarred salted caramel sauce, plus extra for drizzling; ½ teaspoon sea salt flakes; Nonstick cooking spray

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If you’re searching for a crowd-pleasing treat that combines salted caramel decadence with melt-in-your-mouth texture, look no further than these Salted Caramel Gooey Butter Bars. Every bite layers buttery crust, rich cream cheese filling, ribbons of salted caramel, and just a hint of salt for the ultimate sweet-and-salty dessert moment. Whether you’re taking them to a potluck or savoring them with a cup of coffee, these bars are sure to disappear fast!

Salted Caramel Gooey Butter Bars Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

What makes Salted Caramel Gooey Butter Bars impossible to resist? It’s all about the combination of classic pantry staples and a few star ingredients that work together flawlessly. Here’s the lineup, with tips to make each element shine:

Yellow cake mix: The secret shortcut to a perfectly soft and chewy crust without fussing over multiple ingredients.
Unsalted butter (melted): Adds unmistakable richness and helps the crust hold together—using unsalted lets you control the saltiness.
Large eggs: Eggs bind, lift, and add tenderness to both the crust and the fluffy cream cheese layer.
Cream cheese (softened): Go for full-fat if you want maximum creaminess; make sure it’s room temperature for easy mixing.
Vanilla extract: Just a touch enhances both the caramel and cream cheese flavors, rounding everything out.
Powdered sugar: Keeps the filling smooth and dissolves quickly, avoiding grainy texture in every bite.
Jarred salted caramel sauce (plus extra for drizzling): The star that delivers luscious, gooey caramel flavor throughout—and on top!
Sea salt flakes: A finishing sprinkle that balances the sweetness and delivers that signature salted caramel taste.
Nonstick cooking spray: Essential for easy removal—nobody wants to lose even a crumb of these bars to the pan!

How to Make Salted Caramel Gooey Butter Bars

Step 1: Prep Your Pan and Oven

Set the mood (and your kitchen) for baking success! Start by preheating your oven to 350°F, then give a 9×13-inch baking pan a generous misting with nonstick cooking spray. This little step guarantees you’ll get perfect, intact bars every time.

Step 2: Create the Crust

In a medium bowl, combine the yellow cake mix, melted butter, and 1 large egg. Mix until a thick, even dough forms—this is your buttery base. Press it firmly into the bottom of your prepared pan, making sure to cover every corner for a sturdy, golden crust.

Step 3: Whip Up the Filling

Grab a large mixing bowl and beat the softened cream cheese until it’s luxuriously smooth. Add the remaining 2 eggs and the vanilla extract, then beat again until everything’s fully blended. Gradually incorporate the powdered sugar for a creamy, lump-free mixture. Lastly, swirl in that delectable salted caramel sauce—don’t be afraid to taste test as you go!

Step 4: Assemble the Layers

Pour the cream cheese and caramel mixture over your crust and use a spatula to spread it out evenly. Don’t worry if it seems a little thick—it’s meant to bake up gooey and rich.

Step 5: Bake and Cool

Slide your pan into the oven and bake for 40 to 45 minutes, or until you see golden edges and the center is just set but still a little wobbly (the gooey part!). Cool completely in the pan so the bars can set to sliceable perfection.

Step 6: Add the Finishing Touches

Once your Salted Caramel Gooey Butter Bars are cooled, drizzle with extra caramel sauce and finish with a flourish of flaky sea salt. Slice into 16 bars—expect some swoons at the first bite!

How to Serve Salted Caramel Gooey Butter Bars

Garnishes

For pure bakery-style bliss, drizzle each bar with a touch of warm salted caramel sauce right before serving and add a pinch of sea salt flakes. A dusting of powdered sugar or a dollop of whipped cream brings even more elegance for special occasions.

Side Dishes

If you’re building a dessert spread, these bars pair beautifully with fresh berries for a contrast of tartness, or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for full-on decadence. For all the coffee lovers, serve alongside hot espresso to balance the sweetness.

Creative Ways to Present

Try serving Salted Caramel Gooey Butter Bars on a rustic wooden board with caramel sauces and berries for a shareable dessert platter. Or, cut them into small cubes and skewer them for a playful sweet snack at parties. Wrapping individual bars with parchment and twine makes a fabulous, thoughtful gift for friends.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

These bars keep beautifully: simply layer them in an airtight container with parchment between them, and store in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. The chilling time actually makes the flavors mingle and deepens that irresistible gooeyness!

Freezing

Want to make Salted Caramel Gooey Butter Bars ahead of a busy week? Freeze tightly wrapped bars for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge or at room temperature for a treat anytime cravings strike.

Reheating

If you love those caramel swirls warm and melty, pop a bar in the microwave for 10–15 seconds before serving. Just enough to bring them back to gooey perfection—no one will ever guess they weren’t freshly baked!

FAQs

Can I use homemade caramel sauce?

Absolutely! Homemade caramel sauce will deepen the rich, buttery flavor of your Salted Caramel Gooey Butter Bars even more. Just be sure to let your sauce cool slightly before mixing it in to keep the filling smooth and creamy.

Why do the bars need to cool completely?

Cooling is key so the cream cheese and caramel layers can fully set. If you cut them too soon, they may be a little too gooey and won’t slice as neatly, so patience here means picture-perfect bars every time.

Can I make these gluten free?

You sure can! Simply substitute your favorite gluten-free yellow cake mix for the regular one. Everything else in the recipe remains unchanged, and you’ll still get all the gooey goodness you crave.

How do I get clean slices?

For the neatest portions, chill the bars thoroughly in the refrigerator before slicing. Use a sharp knife and clean it between cuts. This helps keep all those gorgeous layers defined and intact.

Can I double the recipe for a crowd?

Yes, just bake the double batch in two pans for even cooking or a half-sheet tray if your oven allows. These Salted Caramel Gooey Butter Bars are always a hit at parties and potlucks, so extra is never a bad idea!

Final Thoughts

Salted Caramel Gooey Butter Bars are a joyous, irresistible treat that never fail to bring smiles (and recipe requests!). If you’re ready to sweeten somebody’s day—or sneak a secret stash for yourself—give this recipe a try and let these layers of gooey, salty-sweet delight win you over.

Salted Caramel Gooey Butter Bars Recipe

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4.8 from 21 reviews

Author: admin
Total Time: 1 hour
Yield: 16 bars 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

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Description

Indulge in the decadent richness of Salted Caramel Gooey Butter Bars. These dessert bars feature a buttery cake mix crust, a creamy cheesecake-like filling with a hint of salted caramel, and a finishing touch of sea salt flakes for the perfect balance of sweet and salty flavors.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Crust:

1 box (15.25 oz) yellow cake mix
½ cup unsalted butter, melted
1 large egg

For the Filling:

1 package (8 oz) cream cheese, softened
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
4 cups powdered sugar
½ cup jarred salted caramel sauce, plus extra for drizzling
½ teaspoon sea salt flakes

Nonstick cooking spray

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Instructions

Preheat the Oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F and spray a 9×13-inch baking pan with nonstick cooking spray.
Prepare the Crust: Mix the cake mix, melted butter, and 1 egg in a bowl. Press into the pan to form the crust.
Make the Filling: Beat cream cheese until smooth. Add eggs, vanilla, and powdered sugar. Stir in caramel sauce.
Assemble and Bake: Pour filling over the crust. Bake for 40-45 minutes until set.
Cool and Serve: Cool in the pan, then drizzle with caramel and sprinkle with sea salt before slicing.