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Boozy Salted Caramel Bars Recipe

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★★★★★

4.5 from 105 reviews

These Boozy Salted Caramel Bars combine a tender, crumbly shortbread crust with a rich salted caramel layer infused with your choice of bourbon, rum, or Irish cream. Finished with an optional chocolate drizzle, these bars offer a perfect balance of sweetness, saltiness, and a grown-up kick, making them an irresistible treat for any dessert lover.

Ingredients

Scale

Crust

  • 1 1/2 cups All-Purpose Flour
  • 1/2 cup Brown Sugar
  • 1/4 cup Granulated Sugar
  • 1/4 tsp Salt
  • 3/4 cup Cold Butter, cubed

Caramel Layer

  • 1 cup Salted Caramel Sauce
  • 1–2 tbsp Bourbon, Rum, or Irish Cream (your choice of alcohol)

Optional Topping

  • 1/4 cup Chocolate or Dark Chocolate Chips (for drizzle)

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line an 8×8-inch baking dish with parchment paper to prevent sticking and allow easy removal of bars.
  2. Mix the Crust: In a mixing bowl, combine all-purpose flour, brown sugar, granulated sugar, and salt. Cut in the cold butter using a pastry cutter or fork until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs, ensuring a flaky shortbread texture.
  3. Bake Bottom Crust: Press half of the crumb mixture evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Bake for 12–15 minutes or until lightly golden to create a sturdy base for the caramel layer.
  4. Prepare Boozy Caramel: While the crust bakes, whisk together the salted caramel sauce with 1 to 2 tablespoons of your chosen alcohol to add warmth and complexity to the caramel layer.
  5. Assemble Bars: Once the crust is baked, pour the boozy caramel mixture evenly over it. Then, sprinkle the remaining crumb mixture in clumps on top to create a crunchy topping.
  6. Bake Again: Return the assembled bars to the oven and bake for an additional 15–18 minutes, or until the top crust is golden brown and the caramel is bubbly.
  7. Cool and Chill: Remove from the oven and allow to cool completely at room temperature. Then refrigerate the bars for at least 1 hour to firm up and make slicing easier.
  8. Optional Chocolate Drizzle: If desired, melt chocolate chips and drizzle over the cooled bars for an extra layer of richness and presentation appeal.

Notes

  • For a stronger boozy flavor, add up to 2 tablespoons of alcohol. Adjust according to taste.
  • Use quality salted caramel sauce for the best flavor; you can make your own or purchase pre-made.
  • Ensure the butter is very cold when cutting into the flour mixture for a tender and flaky crust.
  • Store bars in the refrigerator, preferably in an airtight container, for up to 5 days.
  • Allow bars to come to room temperature for a few minutes before serving for the best texture.
  • Chocolate drizzle is optional but highly recommended for added decadence.

Keywords: salted caramel bars, boozy caramel dessert, bourbon caramel bars, rum salted caramel, Irish cream dessert bars, shortbread crust bars, caramel chocolate bars

Find it online: https://recipeswithmia.com/boozy-salted-caramel-bars-recipe/