has become a destination all its own within Epcot’s Germany Pavilion.
And with good reason! Even among the Pavilion’s diverse offerings within Biergarten (a Table Service buffet complete with festive entertainment), Sommerfest (the Counter Service spot with NUDEL GRATINNNNN), and Bier Carts and Hovels, Karamell-Küche focuses on one thing, and one thing only:
CARAMEL!
From seriously addictive Caramel Corn to Caramel Bacon Squares to the ah-mazing Caramel Pecan Bar (you gotta try it!), it’s hard to take in all the different iterations of caramel treats tucked within the Caramel Kitchen’s bakery case.
And speaking of different iterations… I noticed a change to one of my favorite golden treats on my last visit when I spotted a sign for the Caramel Butter Bar. It was front and center ahead of what looked suspiciously like the old Caramel Covered Shortbread — also previously known as the Chewy Caramel Bar.
Caramel Butter Bar
I wasn’t super concerned at first because this particular snack has been known by a few different names over the years, but basically remained a dependable combo of thick caramel poured atop and in between layers of buttery shortbread.
I figured I was good to go because the “new” Caramel Butter Bar looks… virtually identical to its predecessor. See?
Caramel Shortbread
It was sporting less of the shortbread topping back then, but otherwise? Twinsies. So, I asked a Cast Member about the update, and she reported that there’s now a layer of caramel fudge in the middle.
But if this is true, it was completely indecipherable in my Caramel Butter Bar.
Caramel Fudge Center?
What IS different about the Caramel Butter Bar, though, is that it’s super duper, duper, duper buttery… to the point that it was greasy.
OK, listen. I am THE LAST PERSON ON THE PLANET to say that something has too much butter in it. When I go to the movies, I specifically ask them to only fill the popcorn up halfway so that I can add enough butter, shake it all down, and then add more butter. And more. So I am as astonished as you are that I’m going to say… there was too much butter.
The shortbread was crumbly and clumpy, like there was too much butter mixed in and not enough sugary, bready goodness.
Caramel Butter Bar
The caramel is as lovely as ever, but I could do without the grease slick in my mouth. It’s still caramel and shortbread and you can’t go too terribly wrong with those components. But texturally, it was an abomination. If you give it a try, let us know what you think!
Check out our FAVORITE Karamell-Kuche Snack HERE!
After all, with the Epcot Festival of the Holidays in progress, we should all be spending a little extra time in Epcot’s Germany. Why? Because it’s home to the Caramel Kiss, of course!!
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Do you have a go-to Karamell-Küche snack? Let us know below!
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Worst news ever. This snack is what I look forward to MOST of all each visit. Above Jungle Cruise even.
Pending the results of my personal taste test at Christmas…this could be the end of my Disney magic.
wah wah wah
I KNEW something was different when we went the week of thanksgiving. My favorite Disney snack was always the caramel shortbread bar and when I got the butter bar this time around it tasted almost bland and overly buttered. The shortbread used to have a crunch and almost a bit of a sweet and salty tone but now it’s just overpowered by a greasy butter film left on the tongue. I hope they bring the original back because this new version left me disappointed.
The old version was lovely, I dont even want to try new one as I hate that greasy aftertaste.
Btw, is the caramel kiss available this year? Didn’t spot it on any of the festival menus and it seems Prost has had a makeover/name change too.
When they first opened, everything was fresh and delicious. The last two times we’ve spent $30-40 on treats to snack on back at the room and everything was stale. I’ve noticed both times the cast member didn’t get the items from the case. They went to the back room to get items for everyone’s orders, which makes me think because they’re so busy they make a lot of items far in advance? I don’t know. I just haven’t been in a hurry to return.
I thought the exact thing! Caramel was great but sooooo much grease.
Every time we’ve had a cookie or brownie they’ve been incredibly dry. Not sure if they were old or just dry from the start. The pecan bar, caramel corn and shortbread have been good though.
Kimberly, I can’t recall the last time I’ve seen them take items out of the case – I always see them turn around and get them off large stacks of trays behind them. As busy as they generally are, you’d think the items would be fresh, even if they make a lot at once but I agree that some items frequently seem stale.
I had the new version in November and BOY WAS I DISAPPOINTED. I went to the Germany pavilion for the sole purpose of getting a “chewy bar” and instead I got an awful square of greasy grossness that tasted like a gob of butter rolled in crumbs and coated in what had the appearance of caramel, but I couldn’t even taste the caramel through the butter. So awful. Please let us know if they bring back the old version of the chewy bar – it used to be my favorite treat.
Nooooo! I’m usually a chocoholic, but the caramel shortbread has been my go-to at Karamell-Kuche since the first time I tried it. It was so good. I’m incredibly disappointed to hear they changed and potentially ruined it. Seriously, who’d have thought more butter would be a bad thing?
I LOVE the Caramel Pecan Bar so I decided to try the Caramel Butter Bar a couple of weeks ago and I was incredible disappointed. And I had to go looking for napkins because it was SO greasy. First and last time for me.
This is snack utopia! If this snack isn’t as good, I’ll get baking. I have the original recipe and it’s heavenly!
Essie — YES! The original is great!
Sarah — Agreed! But be sure to try it just in case I got a bad batch!
Amy A — I’ll keep an eye on it for you! I miss the old version, too!!
Emily — Glad to hear I wasn’t the only one!
Kimberly H — Thanks for sharing your thoughts! I’ll get a few things on my next visit and pay more attention to whether there’s a stale factor for me. (The brownies always seem to be bad, but I’ve had good luck with the others except the stroopwaffel — that was AWFUL.)
Rae — Yes — the caramel kiss is there this year!
Lindsay — Try the pecan bar!!
Shield Agent 68 — Let me know what you think!
I told myself that AJ had to be wrong. NO WAY would they ruin my all-time fave Disney snack and the one thing that gets me through my two-a-day December workouts. Many hours spent on a treadmill to build up my “Disney Deficit” 10-lb weight loss plan so I can eat guilt-free on vacation.
Never doubt AJ.
It was horrible, as previously described. (But also as AJ suggested, the Pecan Bar was a pleasant surprise. Thicker than the Butter Bar and impossible to cut for sharing, but not a bad Consolation Prize.)
Agent 68, we are glad you enjoyed the Pecan Bar and share your disappointment about the Caramel Butter Bar. Hopefully they’ll return to the glory days eventually!
I just came back from Epcot and I’m happy to report that my bar wasn’t greasy. I’m fact, the shortbread crust was crisp and slightly crumbly. This was my fist time trying it and it didn’t disappoint. I’m going to try to recreate these bits of deliciousness at home!
Pam, thanks for the info! Hopefully they’re reverted back to the old, better recipe!
I am astounded at the blasphemy here. I was just sitting around with some family and we were discussing how much better these are than the original. We even went as far as to say if given the new butter bar and an original we would throw the original in the trash. Please try for yourself and decide. By the way both versions are still available.
I was there February 2018 abd they had both versions- the caramel shortbread and the butter bar.
Beth, good to know! We’ll check it out!
I hate it when people have to always say the “old one was better”. I had the new Caramel Butter Bar at Karramell Kuche and it was drop-dead delicious. I actually think it was Better than the “old one”. Im sure some will say they like the Great Movie Ride better than Mickey’s Runaway Railroad, but it will be an upgrade also.
I know this is an old post, but replying in case AJ reads it.
The secret to butter all through your movie popcorn is straws. Insert straw in desidired location/depth, pour butter from machine, move straw, repeat as often as desired at different depths.
Shawn, I shared your tip with AJ! 🙂
I never get anything at the Kuche but the caramel popcorn. When it’s warm and soft it’s amazing but it’s even better back at the hotel in the evening! And, you don’t have to wait in the killer line to buy it, either. Pick up a bag next to the registers(the big bag because the little bag doesn’t last until future world), take it into the christmas ornament shop next door where there’s never a line and buy it there!
I love the caramel squares and read the butter bars were delicious. Disgusting is what they were this November! Greasy, greasy and not at all chewy like caramel should be. Super sweet and buttery with a ton of grease is all I can say. Disappointed and I’ll stick to my other favorites like the caramel apples and the chocolate covered caramel squares.
These are My Absolute Favorite Treats at Disney!!!
You can now (2023) also get them in the gift shop inside Contemporary
Never too much butter 🧈 🤣