Salted Caramel Gooey Butter Bars Recipe

Imagine dessert bars that combine nostalgic comfort with a divine touch of salted caramel—the Salted Caramel Gooey Butter Bars are exactly that slice of heaven. These bars bring together a golden, buttery cake base, a cloud-like cream cheese filling, and ribbons of caramel, all crowned with a sprinkle of flaky sea salt. Whether for potlucks, special occasions, or just a treat-yourself night, Salted Caramel Gooey Butter Bars are irresistibly gooey, a little salty, a lot sweet, and an absolute must in anyone’s baking rotation.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Making Salted Caramel Gooey Butter Bars is delightfully approachable—each ingredient is a key to achieving that signature texture and flavor. These ingredients are likely already in your pantry and fridge, but together, they make magic.

  • Yellow cake mix: A speedy shortcut to a golden, flavorful base that tastes homemade with minimal effort.
  • Unsalted butter (melted): Adds rich flavor and moisture to both the crust and topping.
  • Large eggs: Help bind the crust and bring creaminess to the filling.
  • Cream cheese (softened): The secret to that ultra-gooey, tangy top layer.
  • Powdered sugar: Sweetens and thickens the filling without grit.
  • Vanilla extract: Enhances all the warm, comforting flavors.
  • Caramel sauce: Swirls through the bars with melt-in-your-mouth, buttery sweetness.
  • Flaky sea salt or kosher salt: The essential final flourish for balanced, crave-worthy salted caramel flavor.

How to Make Salted Caramel Gooey Butter Bars

Step 1: Prep the Pan and Oven

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F. Lightly grease or line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper. This step ensures your Salted Caramel Gooey Butter Bars lift out cleanly—no sticking, no mess, just flawless bars.

Step 2: Make the Buttery Crust

In a medium bowl, combine the cake mix, melted butter, and 1 egg. Use a spatula or hand mixer to blend everything together until a soft dough forms. Press this dough evenly into the bottom of your prepared pan, making sure to reach all the corners for a sturdy, even base.

Step 3: Whip Up the Gooey Topping

In a large separate bowl, beat the softened cream cheese until velvety smooth. Add the remaining 2 eggs and the vanilla extract, continuing to mix until well incorporated. Gradually blend in the powdered sugar, about a cup at a time, until your filling is creamy, light, and pourable.

Step 4: Layer and Swirl

Pour half of the cream cheese mixture over the pressed crust, using an offset spatula to even it out. Next, drizzle the caramel sauce evenly over this layer—it’s okay if some areas have a little more, caramel is always a good thing! Pour the remaining cream cheese mixture on top and gently swirl with a butter knife for beautiful marbled ribbons, if you’d like.

Step 5: Bake and Finish

Slide the pan into your preheated oven and bake for 40–45 minutes. The edges should be set, but the center will still look a bit gooey—that’s what we want! Remove from the oven and immediately sprinkle with flaky sea salt, so it melts slightly into the caramel. Let the bars cool completely in the pan; they’ll firm up as they rest, making them easier to cut.

How to Serve Salted Caramel Gooey Butter Bars

Salted Caramel Gooey Butter Bars Recipe - Recipe Image

Garnishes

For pure visual and flavor delight, a little garnish goes a long way with Salted Caramel Gooey Butter Bars. Try an extra drizzle of caramel or a dusting of powdered sugar, and always finish with a final pinch of flaky salt for that irresistible sparkle and crunch.

Side Dishes

These bars are rich and sweet, so pair them with simple sides—think a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream, fresh seasonal berries, or even a steaming mug of strong coffee to balance out those sweet, gooey bites.

Creative Ways to Present

Cut your Salted Caramel Gooey Butter Bars into elegant diamonds for a fancy dessert platter, stack them in colorful cupcake liners for bake-sale ease, or add a mini flag or toothpick for party-ready, bite-sized treats. Presentation makes these treats feel extra special!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Extra bars (if you actually have any leftovers!) keep beautifully in the fridge, sealed in an airtight container for up to 5 days. Chilling them firms up the texture and makes the caramel even more luscious in every bite.

Freezing

If you want to bake ahead, Salted Caramel Gooey Butter Bars freeze wonderfully. Wrap individual bars tightly in plastic wrap, pop them in a zip-top freezer bag or airtight container, and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw them overnight in the fridge for a gooey, grab-and-go treat anytime.

Reheating

For that just-baked softness, microwave a bar for 10–15 seconds. The caramel will soften up and the filling becomes ultra gooey—perfect for a warm dessert experience, especially topped with a scoop of ice cream.

FAQs

Can I use homemade caramel sauce?

Absolutely! Homemade caramel will make your Salted Caramel Gooey Butter Bars extra decadent. Just make sure it’s cool but still pourable when layering in the bars.

What’s the best way to cut neat bars?

For clean slices, let the bars cool completely and even chill them briefly in the fridge. Use a sharp knife, wiping it between cuts for those perfect bakery-worthy squares.

Do I have to use yellow cake mix?

Yellow cake mix brings wonderful flavor and texture, but you can swap in white cake mix if that’s what you have on hand. The bars will still be delightfully gooey and delicious.

Can I double this recipe?

You sure can! Just use two 9×13-inch pans, or make a big batch for parties. The layers bake evenly even when doubled, so everyone gets their fair share.

Are Salted Caramel Gooey Butter Bars gluten-free?

Not as written, since the cake mix contains wheat. However, you can use a gluten-free yellow cake mix to make this sweet treat accessible for everyone.

Final Thoughts

If you’re searching for the ultimate wow-factor dessert that requires minimal fuss, Salted Caramel Gooey Butter Bars are the answer. Each bite is salty, sweet, and impossibly gooey—guaranteed to win over friends, family, and even yourself. Go ahead, give them a try and watch them disappear!

Print

Salted Caramel Gooey Butter Bars Recipe

Salted Caramel Gooey Butter Bars Recipe

4.7 from 26 reviews

Indulge in these decadent Salted Caramel Gooey Butter Bars for a delightful treat that perfectly balances sweet and salty flavors. A yellow cake mix crust topped with a luscious cream cheese filling and drizzled with caramel, finished with a sprinkle of sea salt.

  • Author: nadia
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 45 minutes
  • Total Time: 1 hour
  • Yield: 16 bars 1x
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

Units Scale

Cake Base:

  • 1 box yellow cake mix
  • 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted
  • 1 large egg

Cream Cheese Filling:

  • 1 (8 oz) package cream cheese, softened
  • 2 large eggs
  • 3 1/2 cups powdered sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Toppings:

  • 1/2 cup caramel sauce (store-bought or homemade)
  • 1/2 teaspoon flaky sea salt or kosher salt

Instructions

  1. Preheat and Prepare: Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease or line a 9×13-inch baking pan.
  2. Make Cake Base: Mix cake mix, melted butter, and 1 egg into a dough. Press into pan.
  3. Prepare Cream Cheese Filling: Beat cream cheese until smooth. Add 2 eggs, vanilla, and powdered sugar; mix well.
  4. Layer and Bake: Pour half of cream cheese mixture over crust, drizzle caramel, top with remaining mixture. Swirl if desired. Bake for 40–45 minutes.
  5. Finish: Sprinkle with sea salt. Cool before slicing into bars.

Notes

  • Opt for homemade salted caramel for a richer taste.
  • Chill bars for cleaner cuts; store in fridge for up to 5 days or freeze for 2 months.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 bar
  • Calories: 310
  • Sugar: 33 g
  • Sodium: 220 mg
  • Fat: 14 g
  • Saturated Fat: 8 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 45 g
  • Fiber: 0 g
  • Protein: 3 g
  • Cholesterol: 65 mg

Did you like this recipe?