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Caramel Butter Bars

posted by Liz Berg on May 9, 2026

These crazy delicious Caramel Butter Bars are a heavenly treat that is a cinch to make! You MUST think up an excuse to bake up a batch!

Layered with streusel and caramel over a shortbread crust, these Caramel Bars will thrill the caramel lovers in your life. And they may convert some who aren’t! It took me years to track down this Oatmeal Carmelitas Recipe and after one bite, you’ll understand why I never gave up!

Caramel Butter Bars lined up on a narrow white tray.

Table of Contents hide

5 Frequently Asked Questions

6 You May Also Like

7 Caramel Butter Bars Recipe

Why You Must Make

If you love caramel desserts as much as I do, please make this caramel dessert ASAP.
One easy dough is used for both the crust and crumble topping.
And a half cup of storebought caramel sauce is nestled between those two layers.

Seriously, I could not stop snacking on them!! These caramel butter bars are phenomenal, trust me. With such simple ingredients, it’s important to use a good-quality caramel sauce. Look for real ingredients like sugar, cream, and butter on the label. Prepare to be dazzled!

Caramel Butter Bars Ingredients with labels on a metal sheet pan.

Ingredient Notes

Kitchen Staples – Sugar, Flour, Powdered Sugar
Butter – at room temperature
Vanilla Extract (affiliate link) – Make sure it is real vanilla extract, not imitation
Caramel Sauce (affiliate link to my favorite brand, but it’s for 3 jars). Look for Mrs. Richardson’s at Market District, Kroger, or Giant Eagle Stores. I’ve used Sanders Topping, too, but it’s not quite as thick. Check the ingredients, as one with real butter and cream will be the tastiest option.

3 Oatmeal Carmelitas stacked on a small white plate.

Expert Tips

These caramel cookie bars are about the simplest dessert recipe you can make. If you love caramel, these caramel butter bars are a must-make!

The same dough is used to make the crust and to crumble over the caramel. Easy peasy. These gems can be made using just one bowl!
Have your butter at room temperature for easy blending.
PRO-Tip: If you really want to be precise, you can weigh out the dough so it can be accurately divided into ⅓ for the crust and ⅔ for the topping, but I just estimated.
Line your baking pan with Non-Stick Foil (affiliate link) so the edges of the bars don’t adhere to the sides of the pan due to the sticky caramel sauce. Or use Pam Cooking Spray (link below).
PRO-Tip: Spray your liquid measuring cup with a non-stick cooking spray like Pam (affiliate link) before measuring the caramel. It will slide out easily when you pour it over the bars.
Then, Crumble the rest of the mixture over the top of the caramel.
PRO-Tip: Use your fingers to pinch together the dough to make some larger crumbs, if you’d like.
And with a yummy jarred caramel sauce as the filling, there is no messing with a candy thermometer or unwrapping squares of premade caramels. You definitely don’t have to hunt down a specialty caramel sauce. But I do recommend using a premium brand for the best results. Mrs. Richardson’s and Saunders are two good brands.
PRO-Tip: To find a premium brand of caramel, check the ingredients on the label for butter, cream, and vanilla. You want real ingredients for the best caramel flavor!
PRO-Tip: Cool well before cutting into bars. You can even pop the pan into the refrigerator to chill, and this will help make neater slices. Just bring the bars to room temperature to serve so the caramel can soften.
Try Salted Caramel Sauce to shake things up. Alternatively, you can mix some sea salt into your regular caramel sauce to taste.

Everyone needs a recipe that doesn’t take oodles of time or numerous ingredients to throw together. These will thrill any caramel fans in your family…heck, they will thrill anyone you know with a sweet tooth!

Overhead view of caramel bars on a white tray

How to Make

Add the butter and sugars to a mixing bowl.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Do You Store Caramel Bars?

These caramel butter bars can be stored at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Any longer, or if it’s warm in your kitchen, these bars can be refrigerated for about a week.

Can You Freeze Crumb Bars?

Yes, these bar cookies freeze well. Make sure they are cool, then place them in an airtight container with parchment or waxed paper between the layers. Freeze for up to 3 months, though they’d probably keep well for longer than that.

What’s the Best Way to Cut these Bars?

Chill them first. Then place them on a cutting board, using a ruler if necessary, and slice them into nice squares. Serve at room temperature.

The ruler is helpful in marking off 2-inch intervals on all 4 sides of the bars before slicing. You can also use the ruler to help guide you to cut straight lines if eyeballing isn’t your strong suit.