Gooey Salted Caramel Butter Cake Bars

Gooey Salted Caramel Butter Cake Bars are a decadent dessert made with a buttery yellow cake crust, a rich cream cheese filling, and layers of sweet caramel finished with a hint of sea salt. These bars strike the perfect balance between sweetness and a touch of savory, making them irresistibly indulgent and a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Incredibly gooey and rich with multiple textures in every bite

• Uses a simple cake mix for a no-fuss buttery crust

• Cream cheese filling creates a smooth, velvety center

• Salted caramel adds both depth and contrast

• A perfect make-ahead dessert for gatherings or potlucks

• Easy to slice and serve, ideal for parties or holiday trays

Ingredients

(Tip: You can find the complete list of ingredients and their measurements in the recipe card below.)

For the Crust:

• 1 box (about 450 g) yellow cake mix

• 115 g unsalted butter, melted

• 1 large egg

For the Filling:

• 225 g cream cheese, softened

• 2 large eggs

• 5 ml vanilla extract

• 115 g unsalted butter, melted

• 500 g powdered sugar

• 120 ml caramel sauce

• 2.5 g sea salt

Directions

1. Preheat the Oven:
   Preheat oven to 175°C (350°F). Line a 23×33 cm (9×13 inch) baking dish with parchment paper.

2. Make the Crust:
   In a bowl, mix together the yellow cake mix, melted butter, and egg until a dough forms.
   Press the dough evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking dish.

3. Prepare the Filling:
   In a separate bowl, beat the softened cream cheese until smooth.
   Add the eggs, vanilla extract, and melted butter, mixing until well combined.
   Gradually add the powdered sugar and beat until the mixture is smooth and fluffy.

4. Assemble the Bars:
   Pour half of the cream cheese mixture over the crust and spread evenly.
   Drizzle the caramel sauce over this layer and sprinkle with sea salt.
   Carefully spread the remaining cream cheese mixture over the caramel.

5. Bake:
   Bake for 35–40 minutes, or until the edges are set but the center remains slightly gooey. Do not overbake.

6. Cool and Serve:
   Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan. Lift out using parchment paper and cut into squares.

Servings and timing

Servings: 16 bars
Prep time: 20 minutes
Cook time: 40 minutes
Total time: 1 hour

Variations

• Chocolate Caramel Twist: Add a layer of chocolate chips over the first cream cheese layer before drizzling caramel.

• Nutty Version: Sprinkle chopped pecans or walnuts between the filling layers for a crunchy contrast.

• Spiced Option: Add a pinch of cinnamon to the crust mixture for a warm note.

• Salted Maple: Swap caramel sauce for maple syrup and top with flaked sea salt.

• Mini Bars: Use a mini muffin tin for bite-sized portions—reduce baking time to 18–22 minutes.

storage/reheating

Store the bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Allow them to come to room temperature before serving for the best texture. For longer storage, freeze individually wrapped bars for up to 2 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight.

FAQs

Can I use a different flavor of cake mix?

Yes, vanilla or butter pecan cake mix are great alternatives that complement the caramel flavor.

Is it okay to use store-bought caramel sauce?

Absolutely. Store-bought caramel sauce works perfectly, but homemade is also an excellent choice if preferred.

How do I know when the bars are done baking?

The edges should be set, and the center should still have a slight jiggle. Overbaking will dry out the gooey center.

Can I make these bars ahead of time?

Yes, these bars can be made a day in advance. Store them covered in the fridge until ready to serve.

What can I use instead of cream cheese?

Mascarpone can be used as a substitute, though the flavor will be slightly sweeter and less tangy.

Can I double the recipe?

Yes, double the recipe and bake in two pans, or use an oversized baking dish and adjust the baking time accordingly.

Are these bars gluten-free?

Not as written, but you can use a gluten-free yellow cake mix to adapt the recipe.

Can I reduce the sugar in the filling?

You can slightly reduce the powdered sugar, though it may affect the texture and sweetness balance.

What’s the best way to cut these bars cleanly?

Use a sharp knife dipped in hot water and wiped clean between cuts to get neat slices.

Do these bars need to be refrigerated?

Yes, due to the cream cheese filling, refrigeration is recommended for food safety and texture preservation.

Conclusion

Gooey Salted Caramel Butter Cake Bars offer an indulgent, melt-in-your-mouth experience that’s both easy to make and hard to resist. With layers of buttery crust, creamy filling, and a sweet-salty caramel finish, this dessert is a standout for any occasion. Whether for a holiday feast or a casual treat, these bars deliver rich flavor in every bite.

Gooey Salted Caramel Butter Cake Bars

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star No reviews

• Author: Olivia
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 40 minutes
• Total Time: 55 minutes
• Yield: 16 bars
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American
• Diet: Vegetarian

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

---

Description

These Gooey Salted Caramel Butter Cake Bars are the ultimate indulgent dessert! Made with yellow cake mix, a creamy cheesecake-like filling, and a luscious caramel swirl topped with sea salt, these gooey butter bars are rich, sweet, and perfectly salted for an irresistible treat.

---

Ingredients

For the Crust:

• 1 box (about 450 g) yellow cake mix

• 115 g unsalted butter, melted

• 1 large egg

For the Filling:

• 225 g cream cheese, softened

• 2 large eggs

• 5 ml vanilla extract

• 115 g unsalted butter, melted

• 500 g powdered sugar

• 120 ml caramel sauce

• 2.5 g sea salt

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

• Preheat the Oven:

  • Preheat oven to 175°C (350°F).

  • Line a 23×33 cm (9×13-inch) baking dish with parchment paper.

• Make the Crust:

  • Mix cake mix, melted butter, and egg until a soft dough forms.

  • Press evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan.

• Prepare the Filling:

  • Beat cream cheese until smooth.

  • Add eggs, vanilla, and melted butter, mixing well.

  • Gradually incorporate powdered sugar until smooth.

• Assemble the Bars:

  • Spread half the cream cheese mixture over the crust.

  • Drizzle caramel sauce evenly and sprinkle with sea salt.

  • Spread the remaining cream cheese mixture over the caramel.

• Bake:

  • Bake for 35–40 minutes until edges are golden and the center is just set.

• Cool and Serve:

  • Let bars cool completely before slicing into squares.

---

Notes

• For neater slices, refrigerate the bars for at least 1 hour before cutting.

• Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for up to a week.

• Warm slices briefly in the microwave for extra gooeyness.