Salted Caramel Bars for the Dessert Plate
Prep 20 minutes · Cook 45 minutes · Total 1 hour · Yield 24 people
For Salted Caramel Bars for the Dessert Plate, the counter starts with salted butter — room temperature, granulated sugar, and powdered sugar. Portion it for 24 people.
Count on 20 minutes of prep, 45 minutes of cooking, about 1 hour from the first measurement to the plate.
What goes in the bowl
Shortbread Dough
- 2 cups salted butter — room temperature
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 ½ cups powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons vanilla extract
- 4 cups all-purpose flour — sifted
Caramel Filling
- 14 oz caramel candies 1 bag
- ⅓ cup milk or cream
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon coarse sea salt
How the cooking goes
- Heat the oven to 325°F. Butter a 9×13 baking dish or line it with baking paper.
- Whip butter, sugar, and powdered sugar together on medium speed until creamy. Add the vanilla and beat until the mix looks even.
- Add the sifted flour on low speed then mix until a smooth, soft dough forms.
- Press one-third of the dough into an even layer in the prepared pan. Bake for 20 minutes, until the edges are pale deep gold. Refrigerate the remaining dough while the crust bakes.
- While the crust bakes, place the unwrapped caramel candies and cream in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave on high for 1 minute, then stir until the texture looks smooth. If any candies remain unmelted, continue in 30-second intervals, stirring after each, until fully smooth. Stir in the vanilla.
- Pour the caramel filling over the baked crust, sprinkle evenly with the coarse sea salt, and crumble the remaining chilled dough over the top.
- Return the pan to the oven then bake for 25 to 30 minutes, until the filling is bubbling and the topping is firm and lightly golden. Cool completely before cutting into squares.
After it comes off the heat
Let the pan settle before you slice, so the crumb stays together. Cover leftovers once they are cool.
If you want another plate from Brownies and bars, open Butterscotch Brownies Cut into Squares and Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars after Supper.
