Indulge in the symphony of flavors with our salted caramel shortbread bars, a delightful treat that tantalizes your taste buds. These delectable bars feature a buttery, crumbly shortbread crust, a luscious layer of salted caramel, and a generous topping of chocolate chips. The harmonious blend of sweet, salty, and chocolatey elements creates an unforgettable taste experience.
In this article, you'll find two irresistible recipes for salted caramel shortbread bars: the classic version and a gluten-free variation. Both recipes are easy to follow and require minimal ingredients, ensuring a hassle-free baking adventure.
The classic salted caramel shortbread bars embody the traditional flavors of this beloved dessert. The shortbread crust is made with a combination of butter, flour, and sugar, resulting in a tender and flaky texture. The salted caramel layer is crafted from a mixture of butter, brown sugar, cream, and a touch of salt, delivering a rich and decadent filling.
For those with dietary restrictions, the gluten-free salted caramel shortbread bars offer a delightful alternative. This recipe utilizes a blend of gluten-free flour, butter, and sugar to create a delectable crust. The salted caramel filling remains the same, ensuring you don't miss out on the classic taste combination.
These salted caramel shortbread bars are not only a treat for the taste buds but also a visual delight. The golden-brown crust, the gooey salted caramel filling, and the sprinkling of chocolate chips create a visually stunning dessert that is sure to impress your friends and family.
So, prepare to embark on a culinary journey and create these salted caramel shortbread bars in the comfort of your own kitchen. With two recipes to choose from, you can satisfy your sweet cravings and create a memorable dessert experience.
SALTED CARAMEL CHOCOLATE SHORTBREAD BARS
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 325 F. Line a 9x13-inch baking pan with parchment paper. To make the shortbread layer: Whisk the flour, baking powder and salt together in a medium bowl. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the butter and sugar on medium speed until well combined, about 2 minutes. With the mixer on low, gradually add the dry ingredients and beat just until combined. Transfer the dough to the prepared pan and press into an even layer over the bottom (it'll be a fairly thin layer). Bake for 15-18 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown. Transfer the pan to a wire rack and cool completely. To make the caramel layer: Combine the butter, sugar, corn syrup and sweetened condensed milk in a medium saucepan. Set the pan over medium heat. Stir occasionally until the butter is melted. Increase the heat to medium-high, and bring the mixture to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer, whisking constantly, until the mixture thickens and turns a light caramel color. This may take 10 minutes or more, so be patient. Pour the caramel mixture over the cooled shortbread and spread in an even layer. Allow to cool completely, then chill briefly (I stuck mine in the fridge overnight, but you just want to chill enough that it won't melt when you add the warm chocolate in the next step). To make the chocolate layer: Add the chocolate, corn syrup, and butter to a heatproof bowl and set over a pan of simmering water. Heat, stirring occasionally, until everything is melted and the mixture is smooth and glossy. Pour the chocolate over the chilled caramel and spread into an even layer with an offset spatula. Let cool for a few minutes, then sprinkle the top with the fleur de sel (if using). Let the chocolate set completely before slicing and serving.
SALTED-CARAMEL SHORTBREAD BARS
Another Easter recipe. I adapted this recipe from the recipe for Salted Caramel Butter Bars from the Domestic Rebel blog. I felt that the recipe needed more salt. However, this could be because the Smuckers Salted Caramel sauce is not very salty. So, I would recommend tasting the caramel first (decide if you need the 1/4 teaspoon...
Provided by Brandi Kirkpatrick
Categories Other Desserts
Time 50m
Number Of Ingredients 7
Steps:
- 1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a 9x13 baking pan with foil, extending over the sides. Spray the foil liberally with cooking spray and set aside.
- 2. In a mixing bowl beat together butter and sugar until creamy and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Beat in powdered sugar and vanilla. Lastly, mix in flour (4 cups) until soft dough forms. Press HALF of the dough evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan. Refrigerate the remaining dough.
- 3. Bake the crust for 15 minutes . Remove from the oven. In a small bowl combine caramel sauce, 1/4 teaspoon sea salt, and remaining 2 Tablespoons of flour. Mix well. Pour evenly over cooked crust.
- 4. Crumble the refrigerated dough on top of caramel layer. Cover the caramel completely and use ALL of the dough (caramel will bubble up ... pay close attention to the edges). Sprinkle generously with sea salt. (I suggest tasting the caramel sauce to gauge how much additional salt is desired.)
- 5. Return to oven and continue baking for an additional 25-30 minutes or until golden brown (very light) and the caramel is bubbly. Cool completely before cutting in to squares.
Tips:
- Use high-quality ingredients, especially the butter and chocolate, to ensure the best flavor.
- Make sure the butter is cold before creaming it with the sugar. This will help to create a light and fluffy shortbread.
- Don't overmix the dough. Overmixing will make the shortbread tough.
- Chill the dough for at least 30 minutes before baking. This will help to prevent the shortbread from spreading too much in the oven.
- Bake the shortbread until it is golden brown around the edges. Overbaking will make the shortbread dry and crumbly.
- Let the shortbread cool completely before cutting it into bars. This will help to prevent the bars from crumbling.
- Store the shortbread in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
Conclusion:
Salted caramel shortbread bars are a delicious and easy-to-make treat. They are perfect for any occasion, from a casual get-together to a special holiday party. With their buttery shortbread crust, creamy caramel filling, and salty-sweet topping, these bars are sure to be a hit with everyone who tries them. So next time you're looking for a sweet treat to make, give salted caramel shortbread bars a try. You won't be disappointed!
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