Baking · serves 2

Caramel Bars

Shortbread base, caramel middle, crumbled shortbread lid. All from one dough.

70 min A proper cook Vegetarian

Ingredients

  • 225g butter, softened
  • 105g icing sugar
  • 110g granulated sugar
  • 1 tbsp vanilla extract
  • 280g plain flour
  • Caramel: 120g butter, 120g light brown sugar, 100ml double cream

Method

  1. Cream butter with both sugars until pale, then the vanilla.
  2. Flour in on low speed to a dough. A tablespoon or two more flour if it's sticky.
  3. Press a third of the dough firmly into a lined tin. Chill the rest.
  4. 170°C for 20 minutes. Set aside.
  5. Caramel: melt butter and sugar on low until dissolved, add the cream, and simmer until thick.
  6. Pour over the base, then crumble the chilled dough over the top.
  7. Back in for 25 minutes until golden. Cool completely before cutting — hot caramel runs everywhere.

Questions people ask about Caramel Bars

How long does Caramel Bars take?

About 70 minutes from starting to sitting down, and it is a proper cook. A good part of that is unattended, so you can get on with something else once it is going.

What can I use instead of maida in Caramel Bars?

Use plain atta for a denser, nuttier result, or a 50/50 mix if you want to keep some lift.

Can I make Caramel Bars ahead of time?

You can prepare it a few hours ahead and reheat gently. It keeps two days in the fridge, though it is best on the day.

Is Caramel Bars vegetarian?

Yes, it is vegetarian. It is not vegan as written because it contains dairy; swap the dairy for a plant alternative and the rest of the method is unchanged.

Do I need an oven for Caramel Bars?

Yes, this one needs an oven. If you do not have one, look at the no-oven filter on the baking page: eleven of the bakes here are built for a cooker, a pan or the fridge.

What do you serve with Caramel Bars?

On its own, warm, with tea or coffee. Baking is chemistry, so scale it by weight rather than by eye: double every quantity, use a tin with roughly double the area, and expect to add ten minutes or so. Judge it by the skewer, not the clock.

Don't know what to cook? Let it decide →

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