Salted Caramel Apple Pie Bars
User Reviews
5.0
15 reviews
Excellent
-
Prep Time
25 mins
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Cook Time
25 mins
-
Cooling Time
2 hrs
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Total Time
3 hrs 15 mins
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Servings
12
-
Calories
299 kcal
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Course
Baked Goods
-
Cuisine
American
Salted Caramel Apple Pie Bars
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š A flaky, buttery crust is topped with homemade apple pie filling and an oat crumble topping in these INCREDIBLE spiced apple pie bars! Salted caramel sauce is the finishing touch because nothing beats the combination of caramel and apples! Make these EASY, no-mixer bars as written for a smaller gathering, or double it for a party!Ā
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Ingredients
Crust
- Ā½ cup unsalted butter melted
- Ā¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Ā¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
Apple Filling
- 2 large apples peeled and thinly sliced (I used Granny Smith and Pink Lady* See Notes)
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 to 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon based on preference
- Ā½ teaspoon ground ginger optional and to taste
- ā teaspoon ground nutmeg or to taste
Crumble Topping
- Ā½ cup light brown sugar packed
- Ā½ cup all-purpose flour
- Ā½ cup old-fashioned whole rolled oats do NOT use quick cook or instant oats
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter softened
- Ā¾ cup salted caramel sauce homemade or store bought **See Notes, for drizzling
Instructions
Crust
- Preheat the oven to 300F and line the bottom of an 8x8-inch baking pan with parchment. Leave the edges of the parchment over the sides for easy removal. Alternatively, you can also use a high quality, nonstick aluminum foil.
- In a medium bowl, add the melted butter, granulated sugar, vanilla extract, salt, and stir to combine.
- Fold in the flour and stir until combined.
- Press the crust mixture into the bottom of the lined baking pan and bake for 15 minutes at 300F. Set a timer so you don't forget and set aside to cool if you are speedy with steps 5 and 6! Tip- Prepare the filling while the crust is baking to save time.
Apple Filling
- To a large bowl, add the sliced apples, flour, granulated sugar, cinnamon, optional ginger, nutmeg and stir to combine and coat evenly; set aside.
Crumble Topping
- To a medium bowl, add the flour, brown sugar, and butter. With a fork, gently cut the butter into the dry mixture until a crumbly texture is achieved. Tip - I find that softened butter rather than cold butter (more typical) is easier to work and yields the same result in this recipe.
Second Baking
- Turn the oven up to 350F degrees. On top of the warm crust, evenly spread the apple filling mixture with a rubber spatula.
- Evenly sprinkle the crumble topping mixture on top and bake for 30 to 35 minutes at 350F, or until the crumble is golden brown. Baking Tips- Always watch your items and not the time on the clock when determining doneness. When the top is lighlty golden browned and set, and you can see a bit of bubbling from the apple filling beneathe, they're likley done. Rotate pan once halfway through this round of baking to ensure a more evenly golden browned top.
Cooling
- Remove pan from the oven and allow bars to cool on a wire rack for at least 2 hours, or overnight. If desired, after cooling at room temp for 20 minutes, you can chill in the fridge 2 hours if you like chilled desserts. Do not cover (either on the counter or in the fridge) or the top won't stay crispy/crumbly and will soften.
- When ready to serve, evenly drizzle the caramel sauce over the top as desired, slice, and serve.
Notes
- Apples - Use sturdy, firm apples, such as Jonathan, Pink Lady, Fuji, Gala, or Braeburn as the red choices. And Granny Smith Apples are the logical green apple choice.
- Caramel Sauce Options - You canĀ make your own salted caramel sauceĀ or use your favorite store-bought brand. My favorite store-bought caramel sauce is Trader Joe's Fleur de Sel Caramel Sauce.Ā
- Make sure to purchaseĀ actual caramel sauce and not any kind of ācaramel sundae toppingā. Thatās a totally different product intended to be squeezed over ice cream and NOT what you want here.
- Storage - Extra bars will keep airight at room temp or in the fridge (if you like chilled desserts) for up to 5 days or in the freezer for up to 4 months. Note that when you cover the bars, the crumble topping will soften as the moisture is trapped inside your pan or container. It doesn't change the taste, just the texture. Similarly, any time you freeze a dessert, thaw, and serve it the texture will also change and in this case, they'll be overall softer and with any slight crunchiness to the crumble topping that they may have had when freshly baked.
- Storage
- - Extra bars will keep airight at room temp or in the fridge (if you like chilled desserts) for up to 5 days or in the freezer for up to 4 months. Note that when you cover the bars, the crumble topping will soften as the moisture is trapped inside your pan or container. It doesn't change the taste, just the texture. Similarly, any time you freeze a dessert, thaw, and serve it the texture will also change and in this case, they'll be overall softer and with any slight crunchiness to the crumble topping that they may have had when freshly baked.
Nutrition Information
Show Details
Serving
1
Calories
299kcal
(15%)
Carbohydrates
43g
(14%)
Protein
3g
(6%)
Fat
14g
(22%)
Saturated Fat
9g
(45%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
1g
Monounsaturated Fat
4g
Trans Fat
1g
Cholesterol
35mg
(12%)
Sodium
102mg
(4%)
Potassium
91mg
(3%)
Fiber
2g
(8%)
Sugar
26g
(52%)
Vitamin A
441IU
(9%)
Vitamin C
1mg
(1%)
Calcium
27mg
(3%)
Iron
1mg
(6%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 12Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 299 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 1 | |
| Calories | 299kcal | 15% |
| Carbohydrates | 43g | 14% |
| Protein | 3g | 6% |
| Fat | 14g | 22% |
| Saturated Fat | 9g | 45% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 1g | 6% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 4g | 20% |
| Trans Fat | 1g | 50% |
| Cholesterol | 35mg | 12% |
| Sodium | 102mg | 4% |
| Potassium | 91mg | 2% |
| Fiber | 2g | 8% |
| Sugar | 26g | 52% |
| Vitamin A | 441IU | 9% |
| Vitamin C | 1mg | 1% |
| Calcium | 27mg | 3% |
| Iron | 1mg | 6% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
Genuine Reviews
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5.0
15 reviews
Excellent
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