Salted Caramel Crumb Bars

These Salted Caramel Crumb Bars are a delightful mix of sweet and salty with an irresistible buttery texture. The layers of shortbread crust, gooey caramel filling, and crumb topping come together beautifully for a dessert everyone will rave about. Perfect for sharing at gatherings or gifting during the holidays, these bars are always a crowd-pleaser.

Friends, I have been wanting to share this Salted Caramel Crumb Bars recipe for almost a year now. Last year around this time, my mom’s friend (thank you, Julie) made these for me and I was instantly hooked! To be honest, I have been thinking about them ever since.

My family came to visit this past weekend and I was looking for the perfect sweet treat to make for their visit and I knew these Salted Caramel Crumb Bars would be something everyone would love. And I was right! They gobbled them up and asked to take home the extras.

Why are they so good? Well, I think they are the perfect combination of textures and flavors. First, salted caramel … need I say more? Second, both the cookie base and cookie crumble topping are like a soft, buttery shortbread-style cookie. Put those two together and it’s pure magic!

They really are a treat and I wholeheartedly recommend them. I know you’re going to love them. And if you enjoy these bars, you’re going to love my Salted Peanut Bars! SO GOOD!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• These bars are the ultimate combination of buttery and sweet with just a hint of saltiness to balance everything out. The cookie crust and crumb topping have a soft, shortbread-like texture that melts in your mouth, while the salted caramel layer adds a creamy, gooey richness that’s impossible to resist.
• They’re deceptively easy to make but feel so luxurious and indulgent. Using simple ingredients like butter, flour, and caramel candies, you’ll create a dessert that looks and tastes like it came from a bakery—without all the fuss.
• These Salted Caramel Crumb Bars are versatile and perfect for any occasion. Whether you’re serving them at a casual gathering, adding them to a holiday cookie tray, or simply treating yourself. Plus, you can make them ahead of time, which makes them ideal for busy schedules

Looking for more festive cookie recipes? You’ve come to the right place because I’ve created dozens. Check out this collection of all my best Christmas cookie recipes. 

Ready to give these Salted Caramel Crumb Bars a try? Let’s bake!

Ingredients

Before we start baking, let’s gather up all the ingredient we will need to make these decadent bars!

• Unsalted Butter: The key to a tender and buttery crust and topping, this is the base of that soft, shortbread-like texture.
• Granulated Sugar: Adds just the right amount of sweetness to balance the richness of the butter.
• Powdered Sugar: Helps create a smooth, melt-in-your-mouth texture for the crust and topping.
• Kosher Salt: Enhances the flavors of the crust while keeping the sweetness in check.
• Vanilla Extract: A touch of vanilla adds warmth and depth to the cookie layers.
• All-Purpose Flour: The foundation of the crust and topping, giving the bars structure while keeping them tender.
• Caramel Candies: These melt down into a luscious, creamy filling that’s rich and indulgent.
• Milk: Adds creaminess to the caramel filling, helping it achieve the perfect pourable consistency.
• Vanilla Extract: Just a hint to complement the caramel’s buttery sweetness.
• Sea Salt Flakes: The crowning touch that brings out the caramel flavor and adds a subtle, satisfying crunch.

How to Make

Okay, we’re ready to make these Salted Caramel Crumb Bars. Let’s get to it! I’ll walk you through the steps below. I’ve also provided a full ingredient list and instructions in the printable recipe card below.

1. Begin by preheating your oven to 325 degrees F. Spray a 9×13 baking pan with baking spray. Set aside.
2. To the bowl of a stand mixer add the softened butter, granulated sugar, powdered sugar, and salt. With the paddle attachment, cream together for about 2-3 minutes.
3. Add in the vanilla and mix again to combine.

1. With your mixer on low, add the flour one cup at a time and mix until a dough forms. You may need to scrape the side of the bowl down to ensure everything is evenly combined.
2. Transfer 1/3 of the dough to your prepared pan and press with your fingers to form an even layer of dough on the bottom of the pan. Wrap the remaining dough in plastic and place it in the refrigerator to chill.

4. Bake the crust for about 20 minutes or until the edges just start to slightly brown. Allow the crust to cool completely.
5. In the meantime, prepare your caramel filling by placing the unwrapped caramels and milk into a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave for 1 minute, then stir. Continue to microwave at 30-second intervals stirring in-between until the caramel is smooth. Mix in the vanilla.

6. Pour the caramel mixture over the cooled crust. Spread into a uniform layer and then sprinkle evenly with your sea salt flakes. Any flakey sea salt will work here, but my favorite is Maldon. I buy it by the tub, but you can get a smaller quantity here.
7. Crumble the remaining chilled dough over the top of your caramel layer. (This will look odd but trust the process. Everything settles down in the oven.)

9. Bake again (at 325 degrees) for about 30 minutes. The caramel should be bubbly and the topping will be lightly golden.
10. Cool completely, then cut into squares for serving.

And that’s it! While the recipe for these Salted Caramel Crumb Bars does have a lot of steps, these bars are actually quite easy to make. The effort you expend is totally worth it!

These bars are delicious any time of the year. I also think they would make a tasty addition to your holiday cookie trays, so don’t forget to put them on your Christmas baking list.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use store-bought caramel sauce instead of making my own?

I wouldn’t recommend it. Most store-bought caramel sauces are too runny and won’t set properly after baking. Using caramel candies gives you the perfect consistency, allowing the caramel layer to reset as the bars cool, ensuring they hold their shape and have that irresistible gooey texture.

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

To get clean, even squares, make sure the bars are completely cooled—chilling them in the fridge can help. Use a sharp knife, and wipe it clean between cuts to avoid dragging the caramel layer through the crumb topping.

How should I store these bars?

Store the bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4-5 days. If you’d like to freeze them, wrap the bars tightly in plastic wrap and then in aluminum foil. They’ll keep in the freezer for up to 3 months—just thaw before serving.

Can I make these gluten-free?

Yes, you can substitute the all-purpose flour with a good-quality gluten-free baking blend. Be sure to use one that includes xanthan gum or another binding agent for the best texture.

Can I double the recipe?

Doubling the recipe is a breeze! Use a larger pan (like a 12×18-inch sheet pan) and adjust the baking time slightly. Keep an eye on the crust and topping to ensure they’re perfectly golden without overbaking.

More Delicious Bars You’ll Love

• Salted Caramel Popcorns Bars
• Pumpkin Cheesecake Bars
• Cinnamon Bars
• Chocolate Chip Peanut Butter Bars
• Strawberry Rhubarb Bars
• Peanut Butter and Jelly Cheesecake Bars

I hope you’re as excited about these Salted Caramel Crumb Bars as I am. From their buttery layers to the irresistible caramel center, every bite is pure joy. 

If you make them, let me know how they turn out, and feel free to share your experience in the comments below—I’d love to hear from you! A comment and a 5-star rating below are always appreciated.

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Salted Caramel Crumb Bars

These Salted Caramel Crumb Bars are a slice of heaven! With rich and creamy salted caramel layered between a buttery cookie crust and crumb topping, what’s not to love? Everyone will be asking for this recipe.

5 from 10 votes

Print Pin Rate

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Keyword: bars, christmas cookie, cookie, crumb bars, salted caramel

Prep Time: 20 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 50 minutes minutes

Total Time: 1 hour hour 10 minutes minutes

Servings: 28 bars

Calories: 305kcal

Video

Equipment

• 9 x 13 baking pan
• stand mixer
• spatula
• mixing bowls
• plastic wrap
• measuring cups
• measuring spoons

Ingredients

• 2 cups unsalted butter softened
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
• 4 cups all-purpose flour

Filling:

• 50 caramel candies* unwrapped (about 14 ounces)
• 1/3 cup milk
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
• 1 1/2 teaspoons sea salt flakes**

Instructions

• Begin by preheating your oven to 325 degrees F. Spray a 9×13 baking pan with baking spray. Set aside.
• To the bowl of a stand mixer add the softened butter, granulated sugar, powdered sugar, and salt. With the paddle attachment, cream together for about 2-3 minutes.
• Add in the vanilla and mix again to combine.
• With your mixer on low, add the flour one cup at a time and mix until a dough forms. You may need to scrape the side of the bowl down to ensure everything is evenly combined.
• Transfer 1/3 of the dough to your prepared pan and press with your fingers to form an even layer of dough on the bottom of the pan. Wrap the remaining dough in plastic and place it in the refrigerator to chill.
• Bake the crust for about 20 minutes or until the edges just start to slightly brown. Allow the crust to cool completely.
• In the meantime, prepare your caramel filling by placing the unwrapped caramels and milk into a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave for 1 minute, then stir. Continue to microwave at 30-second intervals stirring in-between until the caramel is smooth. Mix in the vanilla.
• Pour the caramel mixture over the cooled crust. Spread into a uniform layer and then sprinkle evenly with your sea salt flakes.
• Crumble the remaining chilled dough over the top of your caramel layer. (This will look odd but trust the process. Everything settles down in the oven.)
• Bake again (at 325 degrees) for about 30 minutes. The caramel should be bubbly and the topping will be lightly golden.
• Cool completely, then cut into squares for serving.

Notes

*For the caramel candies, you will want the Kraft or Brach’s caramels. You can find those HERE or HERE.

**Any flakey sea salt will work here, but my favorite is Maldon. I buy it by the tub, but you can get a smaller quantity here.

Nutrition

Calories: 305kcal | Carbohydrates: 41g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 15g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 36mg | Sodium: 89mg | Potassium: 66mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 25g | Vitamin A: 417IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 35mg | Iron: 1mg