Salt River Bars Recipe
If you’re endlessly tempted by sweet, salty, and crunchy treats, you have to try Salt River Bars. This irresistible dessert brings together layers of buttery club crackers, velvety caramel-peanut butter sauce, a thick blanket of chocolate and butterscotch, and a delicate sprinkle of flaky sea salt. Salt River Bars are everything you love in a no-bake dessert: easy, eye-catching, and completely crave-worthy from the very first bite.
Ingredients You’ll Need
What’s truly wonderful about Salt River Bars is how a handful of everyday ingredients transform into such an impressive dessert. Each one plays a starring role, either in flavor, texture, or mouthwatering appeal—so let’s break down why you need them!
- Club Crackers: These flaky, lightly salted crackers are the magical backbone for the layers, providing the iconic crunch and structure.
- Unsalted Butter: The butter creates that rich, decadent caramel sauce, so don’t hold back on using the real deal!
- Light Brown Sugar: Brown sugar brings sweet depth and a subtle molasses flavor to the caramel—it’s what gives the bars that classic “can’t-stop-at-one” quality.
- Creamy Peanut Butter: Smooth and nutty, peanut butter makes the caramel luscious and adds that extra touch of hearty goodness.
- Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips: These melt smoothly and set up beautifully for a thick, glossy chocolate layer that’s not too sweet.
- Butterscotch Chips: A little butterscotch kicks up the caramel notes and balances the peanut butter perfectly.
- Flaky Sea Salt: This last flourish is crucial—the salt intensifies the chocolate, balances the sweetness, and makes every bar sing.
How to Make Salt River Bars
Step 1: Prep Your Pan
Start by lining a 9×13-inch baking dish with parchment paper, making sure there’s a bit of overhang on all sides. This step makes it easy to lift out the bars later, and trust me, you’ll thank yourself when it’s slicing time. Lay a single layer of club crackers on the bottom, breaking them as needed so they fit together like edible Tetris pieces.
Step 2: Make the Caramel-Peanut Butter Filling
In a medium saucepan set over medium heat, combine the unsalted butter and light brown sugar. Stir constantly as the butter melts and the mixture becomes smooth. Once it starts bubbling, keep it gently boiling for 5 minutes, stirring all the while—this gives you that gooey caramel texture. Remove the pan from the heat and immediately stir in the creamy peanut butter until everything’s melded into a silky sauce.
Step 3: Layer and Pour
Pour half of your caramel-peanut butter mixture over the first layer of crackers. Use a spatula or the back of a spoon to spread it evenly—don’t worry if it wants to sneak into the corners, that just means more caramel in every bite. Add another layer of crackers over the caramel, then spread the remaining caramel mixture on top of that. Finish with a final layer of club crackers to create those beautiful, defined layers.
Step 4: Melt and Spread the Topping
In a microwave-safe bowl, pile in your semi-sweet chocolate chips and butterscotch chips. Microwave in 30-second bursts, stirring between each, just until everything is smooth and glossy. As soon as it’s melted, pour it over the top cracker layer and use an offset spatula or knife to spread it edge to edge. Sprinkle generously with flaky sea salt—this is the wow factor that sets Salt River Bars apart!
Step 5: Let It Set and Slice
Pop the whole pan in the fridge and let it chill for at least 2 hours, or until the topping is totally set. Once firm, use the parchment overhang to lift your slab of bars out onto a cutting board. For the cleanest slices, run a sharp knife under hot water and wipe between each cut. Slice into 24 squares or rectangles and behold your masterpiece!
How to Serve Salt River Bars
Garnishes
Salt River Bars get their signature finishing touch from a sprinkle of flaky sea salt, which looks gorgeous and amplifies every other flavor. If you want to dress them up even more, try an extra dusting of crushed crackers, a flicker of gold leaf for parties, or a swirl of white chocolate drizzled on top after cutting. People will think you picked these up at a fancy bakery!
Side Dishes
Round out your dessert spread with a platter of fresh berries or sliced citrus to cut the richness of these bars. A scoop of vanilla ice cream alongside a Salt River Bar is pretty much heaven on a hot day, while espresso or strong coffee is the perfect sip for when you want to savor each bite.
Creative Ways to Present
Serve Salt River Bars stacked high on a vintage cake stand, or tuck squares into parchment wrappers for grab-and-go party favors. For bake sales or picnics, wrap bars individually in wax paper and tie with baker’s twine for a playful, retro vibe. You can even cut them into smaller cubes and add to a dessert board with nuts and dried fruit—just watch how fast they disappear!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Salt River Bars stay fresher than most no-bake treats! Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week. The chilled bars are firmer and snappier, making them perfect for stacking or packing into lunch boxes.
Freezing
If you want to make Salt River Bars ahead of time, you can freeze them, too. Once the bars are fully set, cut them into squares and layer between parchment in a freezer-safe container. They’ll keep beautifully for up to 2 months. Just thaw in the fridge overnight for best texture.
Reheating
While Salt River Bars are meant to be enjoyed chilled or at room temperature, if you do prefer them a touch softer, allow them to sit out for 5-10 minutes before serving. Microwaving isn’t recommended since it can melt the chocolate and make the layers slide, but that’s part of their easygoing charm!
FAQs
Can I use a different type Dessert
Absolutely! While club crackers give Salt River Bars their signature buttery crunch, you can experiment with Ritz crackers, saltines, or even pretzel crisps for a twist on the classic layers. Just keep in mind, the salt level may change slightly.
Are Salt River Bars gluten-free?
As written, this recipe isn’t gluten-free because of the club crackers. However, simply swap in your favorite gluten-free crackers and double-check your chips and peanut butter, and they’ll turn out just as delicious.
Do Salt River Bars need to stay refrigerated?
It’s best to keep them chilled, especially in warmer weather or if you want those beautiful, crisp layers. At room temperature, the bars become softer and chewier, but still taste fabulous.
What’s the secret to getting nice, clean cuts?
The trick is to use a sharp knife warmed under hot water, and wipe it between each slice. That way, the chocolate layer doesn’t crack and the caramel layers stay tidy. Parchment overhang helps with easy removal from the pan, too.
Why are my bars sticky or hard to cut?
If the bars seem sticky, they might not have chilled long enough. Give them extra time in the fridge. If they’re too hard, let them sit out for a few minutes before cutting so the chocolate topping isn’t rock solid.
Final Thoughts
Whether you’re making them for a bake sale, family movie night, or just because you need a little sweet pick-me-up, Salt River Bars will quickly become one of your favorite recipes, too. Grab your crackers and dive in—your tastebuds (and lucky friends) will thank you!
Print
Salt River Bars Recipe
- Total Time: 2 hours 30 minutes (includes chilling)
- Yield: 24 bars
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Indulge in the sweet and salty perfection of Salt River Bars. These no-bake layered bars feature club crackers sandwiched between a creamy caramel, topped with a luscious chocolate and butterscotch coating, and finished with a sprinkle of flaky sea salt for a delightful treat.
Ingredients
Club Crackers:
1 box (11 ounces)
Butter Caramel:
1 cup unsalted butter, 1 cup packed light brown sugar, ½ cup creamy peanut butter
Chocolate Butterscotch Coating:
2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips, 1 cup butterscotch chips, flaky sea salt for topping
Instructions
- Prepare the Base: Line a 9×13-inch baking dish with parchment paper. Arrange a layer of club crackers on the bottom of the dish.
- Make the Caramel: Melt butter and brown sugar in a saucepan, then stir in peanut butter. Pour half over crackers.
- Layer and Repeat: Add more crackers, pour remaining caramel, add final cracker layer.
- Prepare the Chocolate Coating: Melt chocolate and butterscotch chips, spread over the top layer of crackers.
- Chill and Serve: Sprinkle with sea salt, chill for 2 hours, then slice into bars.
Notes
- For easier slicing, warm the knife under hot water and wipe between cuts.
- Store bars in the fridge for a firmer texture, or at room temperature for a softer bite.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No-Bake
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 17g
- Sodium: 160mg
- Fat: 13g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 24g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
