- Preheat the oven to 325°F (160°C). Prepare an 8x8 inch (20x20 cm) baking pan by lining it with parchment paper, ensuring an overhang on the edges for easy removal of the bars. 
- In a medium-sized bowl, combine the melted unsalted butter with the granulated sugar. 
- Gradually add the all-purpose flour, cornstarch, and salt to the butter and sugar mixture, ensuring that there are no lumps. The dough should be thick and crumbly. 
- Firmly press slightly more than half of this dough into the bottom of the prepared baking pan. Refrigerate the remaining dough. 
- Bake the base layer for approximately 20-25 minutes, or until the surface is set and begins to turn golden. Maintain the oven temperature after removing the base layer. 
- Allow the base layer to cool for 20-30 minutes, which is essential for the subsequent layers. 
- Spread ⅔ cup of the salted caramel sauce evenly over the cooled base. If using the prepared caramel sauce from this recipe, note that not all of it may be required. 
- Add the light brown sugar to the remaining dough, mixing until it achieves a crumbly texture. Evenly sprinkle this crumbly mixture over the caramel layer, allowing some caramel to remain visible. 
- Return the pan to the oven and bake for an additional 25-30 minutes, or until the crumble topping is golden and the caramel layer visibly bubbles. 
- Remove the baking pan from the oven and allow the bars to cool completely in the pan, which will take at least 3 hours. For quicker cooling, the pan may be placed in the refrigerator. 
- To serve, lift the bars out of the pan using the overhanging parchment paper, transfer to a cutting board, and slice into desired portions using a sharp knife.