Salted Caramel Crush Bars
 
Prep time
Cook time
Total time
 
A buttery shortbread crust covered in smooth, salted caramel with more buttery shortbread crumbled on top--a treat everyone will RAVE about.
Author:
Recipe type: Cookie Bar/Dessert
Serves: 24-30
Ingredients
  • 2 cups salted butter, softened
  • 1½ cups powdered sugar
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 tsp vanilla
  • 4 cups all-purpose flour
  • CARAMEL FILLING:
  • 55 Kraft caramels, unwrapped
  • ⅓ cup 1% or 2% milk
  • 1 tsp vanilla
  • 1¼ tsp coarse sea salt
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a 9x13 glass baking dish with cooking spray and set aside.
  2. In a stand mixer or a medium-sized mixing bowl with a hand mixer, combine the butter, powdered sugar, and sugar. Mix well until creamed together.
  3. Next, add the vanilla and mix again until it is combined.
  4. Now, add the flour one cup at a time, mixing between each addition.
  5. Use a little more than ⅓ of the dough and press it down evenly in the bottom of the prepared 9x13 pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 20-22 minutes or until the crust is set and has the faintest hint of browning on the edges.
  6. While the crust layer bakes, prepare the filling.
  7. In a 2-quart saucepan, combine the unwrapped caramels and milk. Set it over medium heat and stir often as it melts. Once it is melted, take off the burner and add 1 tsp vanilla.
  8. When the crust is done, let it cool for 20 minutes. Once it has slightly cooled, pour the caramel filling evenly over the crust, and then sprinkle evenly with the coarse sea salt.
  9. Next, use the remaining dough mixture to crumble on top. This will seem like a lot of dough for the topping. Don't worry. It's exactly the right amount. The dough sinks into the filling, and if you use less, it will leave very little crumble topping visible on the finished bars. Just keep adding it even if it piles onto itself.
  10. Return bars to the oven and bake for 30 minutes or until the topping is just starting to brown lightly.
  11. Let cool completely before cutting into squares.
  12. Enjoy!
Recipe by Real Life Dinner at https://reallifedinner.com/salted-caramel-crush-bars/