Salted Caramel Butter Bars

I found this recipe on Pinterest, while looking up "salted caramel".  I love salt.  I made this for a girl's game night, but promised my sons I'd let them have one, before I left. (Of course, they had to eat some leftover dough and caramel just to make sure it was okay for me to bring over.)  I only made one change, to the recipe.  I found caramel bits, that melt faster and I didn't have to unwrap 51 caramels.  Score!  I found them in the candy section of my grocery store. I may pick up a few more, to last me throughout the year, in case this is a seasonal item.  They melted fast and smoothly. 

Salted Caramel Butter Bars

For the Crust:

1 lb. salted butter, softened

1 cup sugar

1½ cups powdered sugar

2 Tbs vanilla

4 cups all purpose flour

For the Filling:

1 bag (14 oz.) caramel candies (51 caramels to be exact), unwrapped (One bag, of the bits is 11oz, so I added 3oz more, from a second bag.)

1/3 cup heavy whipping cream

½ teaspoon vanilla

2 teaspoons coarse sea salt

To make the crust: Preheat the oven to 325F

Using a mixer, combine the butter and sugars until fluffy and creamy,

about 3-5 minutes.

Add the vanilla and mix until combined.

Sift the flour and add to the butter mixture.

Mix on low speed until a smooth soft dough forms.

Butter a 9×13 inch baking pan.

Press one-third of the dough evenly into the pan to form a bottom crust.

Place the remainder of the dough in the fridge to chill.

Bake the crust for 20 minutes until firm and the edges are a pale golden brown.

While the crust is baking and the remaining dough is chilling,

make the caramel filling.

Place the unwrapped caramels (or bits), heavy whipping cream and vanilla

in a small saucepan.

Heat over medium/low heat until completely melted and smooth.

Pour the caramel filling evenly over the crust.

Sprinkle with sea salt.

Remove the chilled dough from the refrigerator.

Crumble it evenly over the caramel.

Return the pan to the oven and bake for another 25-30 minutes until the shortbread topping is firm and lightly golden.

Let cool before completely before cutting into squares.