Shortbread butter base cradles thick salted caramel core, crumbly top seals gooey center — Fast Salted Caramel Butter Bars (5-Ingredient Magic) bake candy-bar bliss in 30 minutes. Flaky sea salt crystals pop against caramel chew, feeds 16 under $10.
Introduction
Fast Salted Caramel Butter Bars deliver shortbread-caramel obsession: single dough presses base and crumble top, jarred caramel pours molten thick, sea salt finishes crisp. No mixer 5-ingredient slabs rival $5 bakery squares — freezer stacks, potluck perfect.
Ideal bake sales, game days, coffee breaks. Scales crowds. Butter-caramel aromas bakery instant.
What Makes These Bars Special
One dough dual duty — base firm, top buttery crumble. Jarred caramel thick hold vs runny sauce. Shortbread tenderness flakes vs cookie dense. Flaky salt crystals suspend snap. 350°F golden edges, gooey center.
Every square shortbread flake, caramel ooze, salt burst. Texture perfection: crumbly shell, sticky heart, crisp finish.
Essential Ingredients
5-Ingredient Magic Bars
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup light brown sugar, packed
- 18 oz jar salted caramel sauce (thicker best)
- Flaky sea salt
Step-by-Step Instructions
Shortbread Dough Base
9×13 pan parchment overhang greased. Stand mixer: butter + brown sugar cream fluffy 2 minutes. Flour add mix crumbly (no overmix).
Reserve 1½ cups crumble top. Remaining dough press even pan base firm. Prick fork holes. Bake 350°F 15 minutes pale golden.
Caramel Gooey Pour
Caramel jar microwave 30 seconds pourable. Pour even hot crust. Spread offset spatula smooth edges.
Crumble Salt Crown
Reserved crumble sprinkle loose over caramel. Sea salt generous flakes. Bake 15-18 minutes edges bubble golden. Cool pan 30 minutes, fridge 1 hour firm.
Slice Perfection
Parchment lift. Hot knife wipe 4×4 grid (16 bars). Room temp 20 minutes serve.
Pro Tips for Success
Butter softened perfect cream.
Dough just combined tender crumb.
Caramel thick jar > thin sauce.
Reserve exact 1½ cups top even.
Foil tent last 5 minutes browning.
Hot knife caramel cuts clean.
Parchment essential lift.
Serving Suggestions
Coffee dunk ritual.
Game day beer wings.
Bake sale ribbon boxes.
Ice cream à la mode.
Milk caramel classic.
Espresso pairing heaven.
Variations and Customizations
Chocolate caramel chips.
Pecans chopped crunch.
Pretzel crumble salty.
Apple slices fall vibe.
Dark caramel less sweet.
GF 1:1 flour swap.
Mini 8×8 gifts.
Why Perfect for 5-Ingredient
30 minutes bake-chill-slice.
Feeds 16; $0.60/bar bakery half.
Room-temp 4 days gooier.
Freezer 2 months thaw fresh.
Caramel aromas instant crave.
Pantry staples scales easy.
Conclusion
Fast Salted Caramel Butter Bars prove 5-ingredient magic needs shortbread dough: butter base + caramel pour + crumble crown bake 30-minute candy mastery. Shortbread flake + gooey heart delivers bakery perfection effortlessly.
Caramel-salt symphony ensures bar devotion scaling sales or game days. Butter genius elevates instant. Crumble tonight—discover salted caramel butter bars redefine 5-ingredient bliss.