Salted Caramel Bars Recipe
User Reviews
5
Salted Caramel Bars Recipe
Description
This recipe uses a traditional shortbread crust as the base for the bars. After baking and cooling the crust, a salted caramel layer is prepared by combining butter, granulated sugar, packed brown sugar, light corn syrup, sea salt, and half and half. The mixture is cooked over low to medium heat until it reaches about 250º F—the hard ball stage—ensuring the caramel will firm properly when cooled.
Once the caramel reaches the target temperature, it’s removed from heat, mixed with vanilla extract, and beaten until creamy. The caramel is then poured onto the prepared crust and left to cool briefly before refrigerating. The chilling allows the caramel to firm up into a sliceable, smooth layer atop the crumbly shortbread base.
For best texture and ease of serving, keep the bars refrigerated and remove them about 20 minutes before serving to soften slightly without losing firmness.
Ingredients
- 1 shortbread crust
For the Salted Caramel Layer:
- 1 cup butter 2 sticks
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1¼ cup brown sugar packed
- ¾ cup light corn syrup
- 1 teaspoon salt sea salt
- ¼ cup half and half
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Instructions
- Shortbread Crust
- Preheat oven to 325º F.
- Make shortbread crust according to directions for a 9x13-inch baking pan. Set aside to cool as you prepare the caramel.
- Salted Caramel Layer
- To prepare the caramel, mix all ingredients through half and half in a heavy bottomed, 3-4 quart saucepan.
- Cook over low to medium heat until the caramel has reached a warm golden brown color and has reached the 250º F on a candy thermometer, or the hard ball stage.
- Remove from the heat, add vanilla extract, and beat until creamy with a wooden spoon.
- Pour onto prepared shortbread crust and allow to cool for about 10 minutes. Cover with plastic and place into the refrigerator for 1-3 hours to overnight to allow caramel to firm.
- Store in the refrigerator to keep the caramel firm, recommended.
- Remove from the refrigerator about 20 minutes before ready to serve.
Notes
- Prep time excludes refrigeration time needed to let the caramel firm on the bars before serving.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 24Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 260 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 260kcal | 13% |
| Carbohydrates | 29g | 10% |
| Protein | 1g | 2% |
| Fat | 16g | 25% |
| Saturated Fat | 10g | 50% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 1g | 6% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 4g | 20% |
| Trans Fat | 1g | 50% |
| Cholesterol | 42mg | 14% |
| Sodium | 242mg | 10% |
| Potassium | 33mg | 1% |
| Fiber | 1g | 4% |
| Sugar | 21g | 42% |
| Vitamin A | 482IU | 10% |
| Vitamin C | 1mg | 1% |
| Calcium | 20mg | 2% |
| Iron | 1mg | 6% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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