Salted-Caramel Squares
Ingredients
- 1 stick unsalted butter
softened
- 1 cup confectioners' sugar
- 2 large eggs
beaten
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 large egg white
beaten
- 2 1/4 cups heavy cream
- 1 vanilla bean
split, seeds scraped
- 2 1/4 cups sugar
- 1 3/4 sticks unsalted butter
- 2 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
Directions
- 1
Preheat the oven to 350°. Line a 9-by-13-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving a 2-inch overhang on the short sides. In a large bowl, using a handheld mixer at low speed, cream the butter. Beat in the confectioners' sugar. Add the whole eggs and beat until incorporated, then beat in the flour and salt. Press the pastry into the prepared pan in an even layer, 1/4 inch thick. Freeze until firm, 10 minutes.
- 2
Line the pastry with parchment paper and fill with pie weights. Bake for 35 minutes, until just set. Carefully remove the pie weights and parchment. Brush the shell with the egg white and bake for 20 minutes longer, until golden and cooked through. Let cool.
- 3
In a saucepan, bring the cream, vanilla bean and seeds to a simmer. Cover; keep warm.
- 4
In a large, heavy saucepan, stir the sugar into 1/4 cup of water. Simmer over moderate heat, without stirring, until a deep amber caramel forms, 7 minutes.
- 5
Remove the caramel from the heat and carefully add the cream. When the bubbling subsides, stir in the butter. Insert a candy thermometer and cook over moderately high heat, stirring with a wooden spoon, until the caramel reaches 240°, 10 minutes. Discard the vanilla bean and stir in the salt. Pour the caramel over the shell. Refrigerate until firm, 4 hours or overnight; bring to room temperature. Remove the bar from the pan using the parchment overhang; cut into squares.
Salted-Caramel Squares
Similar Recipes
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/3324431-salted-caramel-chocolate-chip-cookies-Clarice23-1x1-1-54e4bf8df4784520933540598f421bf1.jpg)
Ratings & Reviews
Be the First to Rate
Your rating helps others discover amazing recipes. Share your experience and let others know what you think!
About this Recipe
Craving a dessert that perfectly balances sweet and salty with a touch of bakery sophistication? These Salted-Caramel Squares deliver a rich, decadent treat, inspired by the renowned creations of baker Zoe Nathan, that will satisfy your deepest cravings.
These Salted-Caramel Squares stand out because they perfectly capture the beloved sweet-and-salty combination that chef Zoe Nathan adores. The recipe creates a luxurious, tender caramel that sits atop a dense, buttery crust, offering a sophisticated take on a classic dessert bar. It's a testament to the idea that simple, high-quality ingredients, like the specified heavy cream and vanilla bean, can create something truly extraordinary and deeply satisfying.
You can expect a truly indulgent dessert with these Salted-Caramel Squares. Each bite offers a delightful contrast in textures: a firm, crumbly base that yields to a soft, chewy layer of rich, buttery caramel. The distinct, warm notes of vanilla, derived from a real vanilla bean, complement the deep, complex caramel flavor. All of this is brought into perfect harmony by the generous touch of kosher salt, which brightens the sweetness and elevates the entire experience, leaving you craving another square.
This recipe is meticulously crafted to showcase the exquisite balance of flavors and textures, with key ingredients like rich heavy cream and fragrant vanilla bean contributing to its signature indulgence. While the recipe is designed to be enjoyed as-is, you can always adjust the amount of kosher salt in the caramel to perfectly suit your personal preference for a bolder or more subtle salty note.
These delightful squares are perfect for sharing at gatherings, as a comforting dessert after dinner, or as an indulgent treat with your afternoon coffee. Their rich flavor makes them a standout on any dessert platter.