Description
These Shortbread Caramel Bars are rich, buttery, and layered with smooth homemade caramel for the ultimate dessert experience. The crumbly shortbread crust melts into the gooey caramel center, creating a bakery-style treat that is perfect for holidays, dessert tables, afternoon coffee breaks, and easy dessert ideas. Whether you are looking for a simple homemade dessert, sweet snack bars, easy baking recipes, or crowd-pleasing food ideas, these caramel bars deliver incredible flavor with simple pantry ingredients.
Ingredients
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup unsalted butter, softened
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 can sweetened condensed milk
1/4 cup heavy cream
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 tablespoons butter for caramel filling
1/4 cup caramel sauce
1/2 teaspoon flaky sea salt optional
Instructions
1. Preheat the oven to 350°F and line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper.
2. In a large bowl, combine flour, granulated sugar, and salt.
3. Add softened butter and mix until crumbly dough forms.
4. Press two-thirds of the mixture firmly into the prepared baking pan.
5. Bake the crust for 15 minutes until lightly golden.
6. In a saucepan, combine sweetened condensed milk, brown sugar, heavy cream, vanilla extract, and butter.
7. Cook the caramel mixture over medium heat while stirring constantly until thick and smooth.
8. Pour the caramel evenly over the baked crust layer.
9. Sprinkle the remaining crumb mixture over the caramel filling.
10. Bake for an additional 20 to 25 minutes until golden brown.
11. Allow the bars to cool completely before slicing.
12. Drizzle with caramel sauce and sprinkle flaky sea salt on top before serving if desired.
Notes
For cleaner slices, refrigerate the bars for at least one hour before cutting.
Cook the caramel slowly over medium heat to prevent burning or separating.
Use parchment paper with extra overhang so the bars can be removed easily from the pan.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 360
- Sugar: 26g
- Sodium: 140mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 11g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 45mg