Ooey Gooey Caramel Butter Bars
These Ooey Gooey Caramel Butter Bars are a sweet and salty dessert made with a cake mix crust, creamy filling, and caramel topping—perfect for parties, holidays, or anytime you need an easy treat to feed a crowd!
Servings: 12 bars
Calories: 487kcal
Ingredients
Crust
- 1 box (15.25 ounces) yellow cake mix
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ cup (1 stick / 113 g) unsalted butter, melted
Filling
- 1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- 4 cups (500 g) confectioners' sugar
Topping
- ⅔ cup (214 g) caramel sauce, homemade or store-bought
- kosher salt, for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a 9×13-inch baking dish with parchment paper and lightly spray with nonstick spray. Set aside.
- In a medium bowl, stir together the cake mix, eggs, vanilla, and melted butter until fully combined. Press the mixture evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan.
- In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese until smooth. Add eggs, vanilla, and salt. Mix until well combined.
- Gradually add confectioners' sugar and beat until creamy and smooth.
- Pour the filling over the crust and smooth the top. Bake for 35–40 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and the center is just slightly soft when gently shaken. Do not overbake.
- Let the bars cool completely in the pan at room temperature. Then, for the best texture, refrigerate them for at least 2 hours before adding the caramel topping.
- Once chilled, spread the caramel sauce evenly over the top of the bars using an offset spatula or the back of a spoon. Sprinkle with kosher salt. Chill again until ready to serve.
- Slice and enjoy chilled or at room temperature.
Nutrition
Serving: 1bar | Calories: 487kcal