Do you love rich, gooey desserts that melt in your mouth with each bite? Then youโve got to try these Gooey Salted Caramel Butter Cake Bars! This indulgent treat combines a buttery cake base, a gooey, creamy layer of caramel, and a hint of salt to balance the sweetness. Perfect for parties, potlucks, or just treating yourself at home, these bars are easy to make and guaranteed to be a hit. Keep reading to learn how to create these decadent bars step by step!

What Are Gooey Salted Caramel Butter Cake Bars?
Gooey Salted Caramel Butter Cake Bars are a dessert loverโs dream, combining two decadent layers. The base is a rich and buttery cake layer, while the top is a gooey, creamy caramel filling thatโs both sweet and salty. These bars are an irresistible combination of textures, with a soft and gooey center contrasted by the slightly crisp edges of the cake. The addition of sea salt elevates the caramel flavor, cutting through the sweetness and making every bite heavenly.
Ingredients List for Gooey Salted Caramel Butter Cake Bars
Gather these ingredients to make the most indulgent salted caramel butter cake bars youโve ever had!
For the Cake Base:
- 1 box yellow cake mix (15.25 oz)
- 1 large egg
- ยฝ cup unsalted butter, melted
For the Gooey Caramel Layer:
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 2 large eggs
- ยฝ cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- ยฝ cup brown sugar
- ยฝ cup caramel sauce (store-bought or homemade)
- ยฝ teaspoon sea salt, plus more for sprinkling on top
Substitutions and Variations
These Gooey Salted Caramel Butter Cake Bars are versatile, so feel free to customize them to suit your preferences or dietary needs:
- Cake Mix: While a yellow cake mix is classic, you can switch things up by using white cake mix or even chocolate cake mix for a different flavor profile.
- Caramel Sauce: Store-bought caramel sauce works well, but you can use homemade caramel if you want an extra layer of richness.
- Cream Cheese: For a lighter version, you can substitute the full-fat cream cheese with a lower-fat alternative or Neufchรขtel cheese.
- Gluten-Free Option: Use a gluten-free cake mix to make this dessert gluten-free without sacrificing flavor or texture.
- Add Chocolate: Sprinkle some chocolate chips or drizzle melted chocolate over the top for an extra decadent twist.
Step-by-Step Cooking Instructions
Now that youโve got your ingredients ready, itโs time to dive into this easy-to-make, yet decadent dessert. Follow these simple steps, and youโll have gooey salted caramel butter cake bars in no time!
Step 1: Prepare the Cake Base
- Preheat your oven to 350ยฐF (175ยฐC). Grease a 9x13-inch baking pan or line it with parchment paper for easy removal.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the yellow cake mix, 1 large egg, and ยฝ cup of melted butter. Stir until the mixture is well-blended and forms a dough-like consistency.
- Press the cake mixture evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking pan to create the base layer.
Step 2: Make the Gooey Caramel Layer
- In a separate mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese until smooth and creamy.
- Add the eggs, melted butter, and vanilla extract to the cream cheese, and mix until well combined.
- Gradually add in the powdered sugar and brown sugar, continuing to mix until smooth.
- Stir in the caramel sauce and ยฝ teaspoon of sea salt, mixing until evenly distributed.
Step 3: Assemble the Bars
- Pour the gooey caramel mixture over the cake base in the pan, spreading it evenly to cover the entire base.
- Lightly sprinkle the top with additional sea salt for that irresistible salted caramel flavor.
Step 4: Bake the Bars
- Bake in the preheated oven for 35-40 minutes, or until the edges are set and golden but the center is still slightly jiggly. You want the middle to remain gooey!
- Remove from the oven and allow the bars to cool completely in the pan. This will help the gooey layer firm up a bit, but it will still be delectably soft.
Step 5: Chill and Serve
- For easier slicing, chill the bars in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours. This step is optional, but it helps the gooey layer set.
- Once chilled, remove the bars from the pan using the parchment paper (if lined), and cut them into squares or rectangles.
- Garnish with an extra sprinkle of sea salt on top of each bar before serving.
How to Cook Gooey Salted Caramel Butter Cake Bars: A Step-by-Step Guide
Hereโs a quick summary of how to make these gooey salted caramel bars:
- Prepare the cake base: Mix cake mix, melted butter, and egg, then press it into the bottom of a greased 9x13-inch pan.
- Make the gooey caramel layer: Beat cream cheese, eggs, butter, sugars, and caramel sauce until smooth.
- Assemble: Pour the gooey caramel mixture over the cake base and sprinkle with sea salt.
- Bake: Bake until the edges are golden and set, but the center is still gooey.
- Chill: Let the bars cool and chill in the fridge before slicing for the best results.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
To ensure your Gooey Salted Caramel Butter Cake Bars turn out perfectly, keep these common mistakes in mind:
- Overbaking: The bars should remain slightly gooey in the center when you take them out of the oven. Overbaking can make them too dry and lose their signature gooey texture.
- Skipping the cooling process: Itโs tempting to dig in while theyโre still warm, but letting the bars cool (and ideally chill) will make slicing easier and allow the flavors to meld.
- Not using parchment paper: Lining your pan with parchment paper ensures easy removal of the bars, especially since the caramel layer is so sticky.
- Too much salt: While a sprinkle of sea salt elevates the flavor, be careful not to overdo it. Start with a light sprinkle and adjust to your taste.
Serving and Presentation Tips
These Gooey Salted Caramel Butter Cake Bars are rich, decadent, and sure to be a hit at any gathering. To make them even more irresistible, consider these serving and presentation tips:
How to Serve Gooey Salted Caramel Butter Cake Bars
- Serve at room temperature: For the best texture and flavor, allow the bars to come to room temperature before serving, especially if theyโve been chilled.
- Pair with ice cream: For an extra-indulgent treat, serve these bars with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or even salted caramel ice cream.
- Drizzle with extra caramel: For a picture-perfect presentation, drizzle a bit of warm caramel sauce over the top of each bar right before serving.
Presentation Ideas for Gooey Salted Caramel Butter Cake Bars
- Sea Salt Sprinkle: Add a pinch of flaky sea salt on top of each bar for a gourmet touch.
- Chocolate Drizzle: Melt some dark or milk chocolate and drizzle it over the top of the bars for a caramel-chocolate combo.
- Festive Garnishes: If serving these bars for a holiday or special event, garnish them with a dusting of powdered sugar or a dollop of whipped cream.
Gooey Salted Caramel Butter Cake Bars Recipe Tips
Here are a few extra tips to make sure your bars come out perfect every time:
- Use room temperature ingredients: Make sure the cream cheese is fully softened before mixing to avoid lumps in the gooey layer.
- Donโt skip the chilling step: While itโs tempting to skip chilling the bars, this step helps the gooey layer set and makes slicing much easier.
- Storage: Store any leftover bars in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. They taste just as delicious (if not better!) when chilled.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Can I make these bars ahead of time?
Yes! In fact, these bars taste even better the next day as the flavors develop. You can make them a day or two in advance and store them in the refrigerator until ready to serve.
2. Can I freeze Gooey Salted Caramel Butter Cake Bars?
Absolutely. To freeze, wrap each bar individually in plastic wrap and store them in an airtight container. They will keep for up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge or at room temperature before serving.
3. Can I make my own caramel sauce for this recipe?
Yes, you can! If you prefer to make your own caramel sauce, simply melt sugar and butter together, add cream, and cook until thickened. Let it cool before adding to the recipe.
4. Can I add nuts to this recipe?
Definitely! Chopped pecans or walnuts would add a nice crunch to these gooey bars. Simply fold them into the caramel layer before baking.
Conclusion
There you have itโthe ultimate Gooey Salted Caramel Butter Cake Bars recipe! With their buttery cake base, gooey caramel layer, and the perfect touch of sea salt, these bars are a crowd-pleaser that will disappear in no time. Whether youโre baking for a special event or simply treating yourself, this recipe is a guaranteed hit. Give it a try, and donโt forget to share these indulgent bars with your friends and family!
PrintGooey Salted Caramel Butter Cake Bars Recipe
These Gooey Salted Caramel Butter Cake Bars combine a buttery cake base with a gooey salted caramel topping, making it the ultimate dessert for caramel lovers. The mix of sweet and salty flavors creates a perfect balance, and the bars are simple to prepare with basic ingredients. An irresistible treat for any occasion!
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 16 bars
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
- Butter
- Sugar
- Salted caramel sauce
- Brown sugar
- Vanilla extract
- Eggs
- Flour
- Cream cheese
- Confectioners' sugar
- Sea salt
Instructions
- Preheat oven and line a baking dish with parchment paper.
- Make the cake base by creaming butter and sugar, then mix in eggs and vanilla.
- Add flour and mix until combined; press into the bottom of the baking dish.
- Prepare the cream cheese mixture by combining cream cheese, confectioners' sugar, and eggs.
- Pour the cream cheese layer over the cake base.
- Drizzle salted caramel sauce over the top and swirl gently.
- Bake until golden and gooey in the center.
- Sprinkle with sea salt and cool before cutting into bars.
Notes
- Adjust saltiness by adding more or less sea salt.
- Let the bars cool completely for easier cutting.
- Use homemade or store-bought salted caramel sauce.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 380 kcal
- Sugar: 28g
- Sodium: 240mg
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