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Salted Caramel Butter Cake Bars Made with a Cake Mix

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Can I start by saying…you are welcome?  There are about 10 awesome things about these Salted Caramel Butter Cake Bars but let me share the top three.  1) The crust and topping are made with a cake mix. 2) Adding kosher salt to melted caramel is heavenly. 3) Salted Caramel Butter Cake Bars will make your family jump for joy!  Sweet and salty is a magical combination and this Salted Caramel Bar is no exception.  I really just can hardly wait for you to bake a batch and see for yourself!

Do you love salted caramel?  Try these Salted Caramel Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars!

Salted Caramel Butter Cake Bars Made with a Cake Mix, a recipe featured by top US dessert blogger, Practically Homemade

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Salted Caramel Butter Bars

Using a cake mix for the crust and topping of this amazing cookie bar is such a great idea.  Especially when you are using the Butter Cake Mix.  We all know that butter makes everything better! 

I also love to use the Caramel Bits.  Not only do you not have to unwrap each individual caramel but they also melt super quick.  Leaving you with a creamy and smooth filling that is screaming for a bit of salt.

Using a Butter Cake Mix to Make Shortbread Mixture

Did you know that you can make a shortbread mixture using a cake mix?  It really is so easy and super delicious.  All you need is a cake mix, softened butter and an egg.

Using a hand held mixer will bring the mixture together well but remember that it is a shortbread, so it will be crumbly.  It is such a wonderful way to get a wonderful shortbread.

Salted Caramel Butter Cake Bars Made with a Cake Mix, a recipe featured by top US dessert blogger, Practically Homemade

Ingredients Needed

  • Yellow Butter Cake Mix-A yellow cake mix will work great but a yellow butter cake mix is an extra great starting point.
  • Softened Butter-All good shortbread recipes need butter to be wonderful and this recipe is no exception.
  • Egg-This will help bind the shortbread ingredients and give it a nice soft consistency when it bakes.
  • Caramel Bits-Found in the baking section of the grocery store, they are small round caramel bits that melt quickly.
  • Heavy Cream-Adding it to the caramel will give you a nice smooth consistency.
  • Vanilla Extract-Putting a bit of vanilla extract in the caramel layer is a nice touch.
  • Kosher Salt-A totally optional ingredient.  I love the sweet and salty flavor profile.

How to make Salted Caramel Butter Bars with a Cake Mix

  1. The crust and topping starts with cake mix, butter and egg.  You can use a wooden spoon but a hand held mixer moves it along quickly.
  2. It will look crumbly when mixed but that is exactly what you are looking for. 
  3. Pour 2/3 of the mixture into the bottom of a greased 9×9 or 8×8 baking pan.  Pack it down firmly using your hands or the bottom of a measuring cup.  The last 1/3 needs to be covered and refrigerated until it is ready to use.
  4. Bake the crust at 350 degrees for 13-15 minutes or until it is lightly browned. 
  5. While the crust is cooling for a few minutes, begin melting the caramel.  Add milk or heavy cream to the caramel bits and microwave.  Start with 45 seconds, stir and then add 25 second intervals until it is smooth and melted.
  6. Isn’t it beautiful!
  7. Pour melted caramel over the baked crust and then sprinkle kosher salt over caramel.  It might look like a lot but it helps cut through all of the sweetness.  The salt is optional, so omit if you prefer to not include it.
  8. Take the rest of the mixture from the refrigerator and crumble over the top of the salted caramel.  Press it down slightly.

Salted Caramel Butter Cake Bars Made with a Cake Mix, a recipe featured by top US dessert blogger, Practically Homemade

Bake for an additional 15 minutes.  It should be lightly golden brown.  Let the bars cool completely before cutting them into 12 equal squares.

Salted Caramel Butter Cake Bars Made with a Cake Mix, a recipe featured by top US dessert blogger, Practically Homemade

3 Baking Tips:

  • Keep the dough chilled.  If you make the dough ahead of time or even while you are waiting for the bottom crust to bake, refrigerate the dough.  Shortbread dough stays best when it is cold.
  • Use a double boiler instead of a microwave to melt the caramel if you prefer.  It will take a bit longer but it can definitely be done on the stove top instead of the microwave.
  • Don’t skip baking the bottom crust first.  It is important that you prebake the bottom crust in order for the Salted Caramel Butter Bars to bake up nicely and get the texture you are hoping for.

Frequently Asked Questions:

What size pan should I use to bake Salted Caramel Butter Cake Bars?

I have used a 9×9 baking pan to make these Salted Caramel Butter Cake Bars but a 8×8 baking pan would also work nicely.  Just know that they will be a little thicker in a 8×8 pan and might take a couple of extra minutes in the oven baking.

Salted Caramel Butter Cake Bars Made with a Cake Mix, a recipe featured by top US dessert blogger, Practically Homemade

Where do I find the Caramel Bits?

You can find caramel bits in the baking section of the grocery store next to the chocolate chips.  It is so nice to be able to just pour the caramels into a bowl and not have to worry about unwrapping them.

Can I use caramel squares instead of caramel bits in Salted Caramel Butter Cake Bars?

Absolutely!  Just know that it will take longer for them to melt.  It will also take some time to unwrap each individual caramel, so be sure that you adjust the time of the recipe to reflect that.

What type of salt works best?

I used kosher salt but sea salt would or another kind of large grain salt would work great.

Salted Caramel Butter Cake Bars Made with a Cake Mix, a recipe featured by top US dessert blogger, Practically Homemade

Salted Caramel Butter Cake Bars Made with a Cake Mix, a recipe featured by top US dessert blogger, Practically Homemade

Salted Caramel Butter Cake Bars with a Cake Mix

Salted caramel and a butter cake mix are turned into a delicious bar cookie that everyone will love.
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes
Servings: 12 bars
Calories: 317kcal
4.62 from 100 votes
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Ingredients

Shortbread Crust

  • 1 box yellow butter cake mix
  • 1/3 cup butter {softened}
  • 1 egg

Caramel Layer

  • 11 oz. Caramel Bits candies
  • 2-3 tbsp heavy cream {or milk}
  • 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1/2 tbsp kosher salt {optional}

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Spray an 9x9 {or 8x8 pan} with non-stick spray.  Mix dry cake mix, softened butter and egg with either a wooden spoon or an electric mixer.  The mixture will be crumbly and that is how it should be.  Take 2/3 of the mixture and press it into the using your fingers or the bottom of a measuring cup {reserve the remaining 1/3 of mixture and refrigerate until ready for use}.  Bake for 13-15 minutes or until it is a pale golden brown.  Remove from oven and let cool for a few minutes.
  • While the crust is cooling, put the caramels and milk into a microwave safe bowl.  Microwave for 45 seconds and stir, continue with 25 second intervals until it is smooth and melted.  Add vanilla and stir.  Pour caramel over crust and spread out evenly.  If desired, sprinkle caramel with kosher salt.  Take remaining cake mixture and sprinkle it over the top of the caramel mixture, pressing it slightly.  Bake for an additional 15 minutes.  Remove from oven and let cool completely before cutting into 12 even squares.  Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days or freeze for up to 3 months.

Nutrition

Serving: 1bar | Calories: 317kcal | Carbohydrates: 56g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 10g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 32mg | Sodium: 714mg | Potassium: 85mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 36g | Vitamin A: 225IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 132mg | Iron: 1mg
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