1-Alright, let’s get to the fun part making these Salted Caramel Butter Bars from scratch! Start by preheating your oven to 325°F (163°C) and coating a 9×13 inch baking dish with nonstick spray; this sets the stage for a smooth baking experience. In a mixer with a paddle attachment, beat the 2 cups of salted butter, 1 cup granulated sugar, and 1½ cups powdered sugar on medium speed for about 2 minutes until it’s all fluffy and combined.

2-Next, add 2 tablespoons of vanilla extract and mix it in, then gradually stir in 4 cups of all-purpose flour on low speed until you get a soft dough. Press one-third of this dough evenly into your prepared pan, and wrap the rest to chill in the fridge. Bake that crust layer for 20 minutes or until the edges turn a pale golden color, then let it cool on a wire rack for 15 minutes. Here’s where it gets exciting in a microwave-safe bowl, melt the 14 ounces of soft caramel candies with 1/3 cup of milk or cream by heating for 1 minute, stirring, and continuing in 30-second intervals until smooth.

3-Stir in 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla extract to the melted caramel, then pour it evenly over the cooled crust and sprinkle with 1 tablespoon of coarse sea salt if you’re going for that extra kick. Crumble the chilled dough over the caramel layer and pop it back in the oven for 25-30 minutes until everything is bubbly and the topping is firm and lightly golden. Finally, let the bars cool completely in the pan before cutting them into pieces. For more bar recipes, check out our guide to easy dessert bars on the blog!