Gooey Salted Caramel Butter Cake Bars Recipe

Imagine biting into a dessert that melts in your mouth with layers of buttery richness and the perfect balance of sweet and salty. That's exactly what you’ll get with these Gooey Salted Caramel Butter Cake Bars. They have a rich, buttery base topped with a gooey, caramel-infused layer and a pinch of sea salt to cut through the sweetness, giving you a dessert bar that's irresistible. Whether you’re making them for a potluck, a party, or just to satisfy your sweet tooth, these bars are bound to be a hit. Read on to discover how you can make these delicious treats at home!

this Recipe

What are Gooey Salted Caramel Butter Cake Bars?

These Gooey Salted Caramel Butter Cake Bars combine the flavors of buttery cake, rich caramel, and a touch of sea salt in every bite. The base of this dessert is a buttery, dense cake layer, while the top layer is gooey and filled with a blend of caramel sauce and cream cheese, creating a rich, melt-in-your-mouth texture. The sea salt sprinkled on top enhances the flavor and balances the sweetness perfectly, making these bars a crowd-pleasing dessert.

Ingredients List for Gooey Salted Caramel Butter Cake Bars

For the Cake Layer:

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

For the Gooey Layer:

• 8 oz cream cheese, softened
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
• 4 cups powdered sugar
• 1 cup caramel sauce (homemade or store-bought)

For the Salted Caramel Topping:

• ¼ cup caramel sauce (additional for drizzling)
• ½ teaspoon sea salt flakes (adjust to taste)

Substitutions and Variations

1. Cake Mix Options:
   If you don’t have yellow cake mix, you can use vanilla or butter-flavored cake mix for a similar result. For a richer taste, consider using a spice cake mix to add a bit of warm spice to your bars.
2. Caramel Sauce:
   While store-bought caramel sauce is convenient, making your own caramel sauce can elevate the flavor of these bars. If you want to switch things up, you can use dulce de leche for an even creamier caramel flavor.
3. Salt Preference:
   You can experiment with different types of salt for topping the bars. Sea salt flakes are perfect for their delicate crunch, but you can also use Himalayan pink salt or Maldon salt for a unique twist.
4. Add-Ins:
   Feel free to get creative by adding in a handful of chopped pecans or walnuts to the cake layer for some added crunch. Chocolate chips also pair well with the caramel and butter flavors, adding a little extra sweetness.

Step-by-Step Cooking Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Cake Layer

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9x13-inch baking pan with butter or non-stick cooking spray.
2. In a large mixing bowl, combine the yellow cake mix, melted butter, and 1 large egg. Stir until a thick, dough-like batter forms.
3. Press the cake batter evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking pan. Use a spatula or your hands to spread it out, making sure it’s evenly distributed.

Step 2: Make the Gooey Caramel Layer

1. In another large bowl, beat the softened cream cheese until smooth and creamy, using a hand mixer or stand mixer.
2. Add the 2 eggs and vanilla extract, and continue beating until fully combined.
3. Slowly add in the melted butter and mix until smooth.
4. Gradually mix in the powdered sugar, about 1 cup at a time, until you have a smooth, thick mixture.
5. Once the mixture is smooth, pour in the caramel sauce (1 cup) and gently fold it in until it’s evenly distributed. Don’t overmix; you want to keep some of that caramel texture.

Step 3: Assemble and Bake the Bars

1. Pour the gooey caramel mixture over the cake layer in the baking pan. Use a spatula to spread it out evenly, making sure it covers the entire surface of the cake layer.
2. Bake in the preheated oven for 40-45 minutes. The edges should be set, but the center should still have a slight jiggle when you gently shake the pan—this ensures a gooey center.
3. Once baked, remove the bars from the oven and let them cool completely in the pan.

Step 4: Add the Salted Caramel Topping

1. Once the bars are cool, drizzle an additional ¼ cup of caramel sauce over the top.
2. Sprinkle sea salt flakes evenly over the caramel drizzle. Be sure to adjust the amount of salt to your taste—start with ½ teaspoon and add more if you prefer a stronger salty-sweet flavor.

Step 5: Chill and Serve

1. Place the bars in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours to firm up and allow the flavors to meld together. This step is crucial to achieving that perfect gooey texture.
2. Once chilled, slice into bars and serve. For an extra indulgent touch, serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream.

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

Making Gooey Salted Caramel Butter Cake Bars is straightforward. First, you prepare the simple cake base using a yellow cake mix, which forms a thick layer at the bottom of your baking pan. Then, you make the gooey layer by mixing cream cheese, eggs, powdered sugar, butter, and caramel sauce, which gets poured on top of the cake layer. After baking, a drizzle of salted caramel sauce and a sprinkle of sea salt finish off the bars, bringing all the flavors together.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Overbaking the Bars:
   One of the most common mistakes is overbaking. Remember that the center should still have a slight jiggle when you remove the bars from the oven. Overbaking will make the bars less gooey and can dry out the top layer.
2. Skipping the Refrigeration:
   Skipping the chilling step is another mistake to avoid. The bars need time to set in the refrigerator to achieve their gooey texture. If you try to cut them too soon, they’ll be too soft and may fall apart.
3. Not Softening the Cream Cheese:
   If the cream cheese isn’t softened, it won’t mix properly, leading to a lumpy gooey layer. Let the cream cheese sit at room temperature for at least 30 minutes before mixing to ensure a smooth consistency.

Serving and Presentation Tips

How to Serve Gooey Salted Caramel Butter Cake Bars

Serve these bars cold or at room temperature. Since the bars are rich and decadent, they pair well with a glass of cold milk, a hot cup of coffee, or a scoop of vanilla ice cream on the side. For added indulgence, you can drizzle extra caramel sauce or chocolate syrup over each serving.

Presentation Ideas for Gooey Salted Caramel Butter Cake Bars

For a clean presentation, use a sharp knife to cut the bars into squares or rectangles after they’ve chilled. You can dust them with a light coating of powdered sugar for a professional touch, or drizzle extra caramel sauce in a decorative pattern on each bar. If serving for a special occasion, place them on a cake stand or platter and garnish with a sprinkle of sea salt flakes.

Gooey Salted Caramel Butter Cake Bars Recipe Tips

• Use Room Temperature Ingredients:
  Using softened cream cheese and room temperature eggs will make the gooey layer smooth and creamy without lumps.
• Let Them Set Overnight:
  For an even more gooey and flavorful result, allow the bars to set in the refrigerator overnight. This will give the caramel time to meld with the other ingredients.
• Cut with a Hot Knife:
  For clean and precise cuts, dip your knife in hot water before slicing the bars. Wipe the knife between each cut for neat, professional-looking bars.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Can I make these bars ahead of time?
   Yes, these bars actually taste even better the next day! You can make them up to 2 days ahead of time and store them in the refrigerator until you’re ready to serve.
2. How do I store leftover bars?
   Store the bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. You can also freeze them for up to 3 months—just be sure to wrap them well in plastic wrap and aluminum foil before freezing.
3. Can I use a homemade cake mix?
   Yes, if you prefer making a cake layer from scratch, you can substitute the boxed cake mix with a homemade yellow or vanilla cake mix. Just ensure that you reduce the liquid content so that the base remains thick.
4. Can I make this recipe gluten-free?
   Absolutely! Simply use a gluten-free yellow cake mix and ensure that all other ingredients are gluten-free.

Conclusion

These Gooey Salted Caramel Butter Cake Bars are the ultimate indulgence for any caramel or butter cake lover. They’re rich, buttery, and wonderfully gooey with a hint of salt that perfectly balances the sweetness. Whether you’re

making these for a holiday gathering, a family treat, or just to satisfy your sweet tooth, this recipe will not disappoint. Be sure to follow the steps closely for the best results, and don’t forget to refrigerate before serving for that perfect, gooey texture. Happy baking!

Print