Salted Caramel-Cashew Bars - cooking recipe

Ingredients

Crust
1/2 cup unsalted butter
1 cup flour
1/3 cup powdered sugar
1/8 teaspoon salt
Brown Sugar Caramel
1/2 cup unsalted butter, cubed
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 pinch sea salt
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup cashews
sea salt (optional)

Preparation

Preheat oven to 350\u00b0F and line an 8-inch baking dish with foil. Whisk together flour, powdered sugar, and salt in a medium bowl. Cut butter into 1/2-inch pieces; sprinkle over flour mixture and use a pastry cutter to cut in evenly until mixture resembles coarse meal. Add dough to prepared baking dish; use a piece of parchment to press dough into an even layer. Bake for 23 minutes, until crust is lightly golden. Cool on wire rack.
Place butter and brown sugar in a heavy saucepan. Melt over medium heat, stirring constantly with a rubber spatula, until boiling. Once mixture boils, reduce temperature to medium-low and let bubble for 3 more minutes, stirring constantly. Remove from heat; carefully add salt and vanilla (mixture will bubble up). Quickly pour caramel over shortbread layer and spread with an offset spatula. Top with cashews, pressingly gently to adhere; sprinkle with sea salt. Chill in the refrigerator until completely set, about 1 hour.
Carefully lift foil and place bars on a cutting board; use a sharp knife to cut into squares. Store leftover squares in an airtight container at room temperature.