Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish or line it with parchment paper for easy removal.

In a large mixing bowl, combine the yellow cake mix, melted butter, and egg. Stir until you have a soft dough, then press it evenly into the bottom of your prepared baking dish.

In a separate bowl, beat the softened cream cheese until smooth. Add in the eggs and vanilla, mixing until creamy. Pour in the salted caramel sauce and mix until well incorporated.

Spread the cream cheese filling over the crust in the dish.

Bake in your preheated oven for about 30-35 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden and the center is just a little wobbly.

Allow the bars to cool to room temperature before refrigerating them for at least 2 hours.

Once chilled, sprinkle with flaky sea salt if desired, slice into squares, and enjoy!