Salted Caramel Bars

Just a small piece will cure any sweet craving.  Sometimes I like to melt about 1/2 cup chocolate chips and then drizzle it over top of the bars when they come out of the oven.  Also, sprinkling 1/2 cup coconut over top of the caramel (before you put the crumb topping on) is veery good.

SALTED CARAMEL BARS

(servings 24)

 

Crust Ingredients:

*1 cup butter, softened

*1 cup granulated sugar

*1 1/2 cups powdered sugar

*1 tablespoon vanilla extract

*3 cups all-purpose flour

Filling Ingredients:

*1 cup butter

*1 cup granulated sugar

*4 tablespoons light corn syrup

*1 tablespoon vanilla extract

*1 (14 ounce) sweetened condensed milk

*1 tablespoon flaky sea salt

Crust Directions:

~Preheat oven to 325 degrees.

~Grease a 9x13 inch baking dish and line with parchment paper.

~In a large bowl, mix 1 cup softened butter, 1 cup granulated sugar, and 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar together until smooth and creamy.

~Stir in 1 tablespoon vanilla extract until well incorporated.

~Stir in 3 flour (about 1 cup at a time) until well mixed.

~Press half of the dough evenly into prepared pan.

~Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until edges are a light golden brown.

~Allow to cool for about 5-7 minutes.

Filling Directions:

~In a medium saucepan, melt 1 cup butter over medium heat.

~Stir in 1 cup granulated sugar, 4 tablespoons light corn syrup, and 1 tablespoon vanilla extract.

~Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly until mixture begins to boil.

~Reduce heat to low and stir in 1 (14 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk.

~Continue cooking over medium heat, stirring constantly for 10-15 minutes or until mixture thickens and turns a golden caramel color.

~Pour mixture evenly over crust.

~Sprinkle with sea salt.

~Crumble remaining dough evenly over caramel, pressing down lightly on dough.

~Bake for another 25-30 minutes, or until topping turns a light golden brown. 

~Allow to cool completely.

~Cut into 24 pieces.