What are Salt River Bars made of?

Salt River Bars are made from layers of Club crackers, a homemade caramel sauce (with butter, brown sugar, graham cracker crumbs, and heavy cream), and a chocolate-peanut butter topping that includes milk chocolate chips, butterscotch chips, and creamy peanut butter. A sprinkle of flaky sea salt finishes the top for that iconic sweet-meets-salty contrast.

Why are Salt River Bars called that?

The name is believed to have originated in Arizona, inspired by the Salt River , where the recipe gained traction at a local café. The name evokes a rustic, regional charm and captures the layered flow of textures and flavors in the bars—just like a river’s current.

Are Salt River Bars easy to make?

Absolutely! While they look impressive, Salt River Bars are beginner-friendly . No baking is required, just some stovetop caramel boiling and layering. The hardest part? Waiting for them to chill before slicing into them!

Can Salt River Bars be made ahead of time?

Yes, and they’re actually better when made ahead . Chilling helps all the layers firm up and makes slicing cleaner. You can prepare them up to 3 days in advance and store them in the fridge.

How do you store Salt River Bars?

For best results, store Salt River Bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week. If stacking, place parchment between layers. For longer storage, freeze individually wrapped pieces for up to two months.

Can I customize Salt River Bars with other toppings?

Once you’ve made Salt River Bars , other desserts just don’t compare. They’re unapologetically rich, perfectly balanced between sweet and salty, and layered with textures that satisfy every kind of craving. They’re simple enough for a Tuesday night and elegant enough for a holiday platter. But more than that—they’re memorable . Whether you’re biting into one fresh out of the fridge, gifting a dozen wrapped in twine, or sharing them at your kid’s birthday, these bars create moments.

Salt River Bars – 3 Irresistible Layers of Sweet and Salty Perfection

Salt River Bars Simple Yet Stunning Dessert for Every Occasion

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Author: Maria
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes (plus chilling)
Yield: 30 bars 1x
Category: Dessert
Method: No‑Bake (stovetop + assemble)
Cuisine: American
Diet: Vegetarian

Description

Sweet, salty, chewy, crunchy bars made with layers of Club crackers, rich caramel, and topped with a chocolate–butterscotch–peanut butter blend sprinkled with sea salt.

Ingredients

Units Scale

90 Club crackers
1 cup salted butter
2 cups light brown sugar, packed
1 cup graham cracker crumbs
3/4 cup heavy cream
1 1/2 cups milk chocolate chips
1/2 cup butterscotch chips
1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
Maldon sea salt, for sprinkling

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Instructions

Line a 9×13″ pan with parchment (long edges overhanging) and spray with non-stick spray. ()
Arrange first layer: cover bottom with 5×6 grid of Club crackers, cutting to fit if needed. ()
In a heavy-bottomed pan over medium, melt butter, brown sugar, graham crumbs, and heavy cream together, stirring constantly. Bring to a boil and boil for 7 minutes. :contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}
Pour half the caramel over the cracker layer, spreading evenly. Quickly add second layer of crackers. ()
Pour remaining caramel over the second layer, then top with a final layer of crackers. ()
Chill the pan to set the caramel while preparing topping. ()
Microwave chocolate chips, butterscotch chips, and peanut butter in 30–45 s bursts, stirring until smooth. :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}
Pour topping over crackers and spread evenly. Sprinkle with Maldon sea salt. :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}
Chill 1–2 hours until firm, then lift out using parchment and cut into bars. :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}

Notes

Line pan with parchment and spray to help lift bars cleanly. :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}
Chill fully before cutting to ensure clean slices. :contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5}
Use Maldon or coarse sea salt for best flavor contrast. :contentReference[oaicite:6]{index=6}
Sweet, salty, chewy, creamy, crunchy perfection—much loved by tasters. :contentReference[oaicite:7]{index=7}

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 bar
Calories: 269 kcal
Sugar: 20 g
Sodium: 192 mg
Fat: 16 g
Saturated Fat: 8.3 g
Unsaturated Fat: 6.8 g
Trans Fat: 0.3 g
Carbohydrates: 29 g
Fiber: 0.8 g
Protein: 2.7 g
Cholesterol: 25 mg

Find it online: https://cooktune.com/salt-river-bars/