Salted Caramel Apple Pie Bars
User Reviews
5
-
Prep Time
25 mins
-
Cook Time
50 mins
-
Cooling Time
2 hrs
-
Total Time
3 hrs 15 mins
-
Servings
12
-
Calories
299 kcal
-
Course
Baked Goods
-
Cuisine
American
Salted Caramel Apple Pie Bars
Description
These Salted Caramel Apple Pie Bars start with a lightly sweetened butter crust baked to a firm base. The filling uses thinly sliced, peeled apples such as Granny Smith or Pink Lady, mixed with cinnamon, nutmeg, and optional ginger for warmth and spice. The crumb topping consisting of brown sugar, flour, and rolled oats creates a crunchy contrast to the tender apple filling beneath. The final touch is a generous drizzle of salted caramel sauce, which adds a buttery, slightly salty layer enhancing the dessert's richness.
The bars are baked in an 8x8 inch pan and are easy to slice for serving. They are a practical choice for gatherings or when a portable dessert is desired. The interplay of spiced apples and salted caramel offers a familiar but indulgent flavor combination.
For storage, these bars keep well airtight up to five days at room temperature or refrigerated. Freezing is also possible for up to four months, though the texture of the crumble topping will soften slightly after thawing. Choosing firm apples helps maintain a pleasant bite after baking, and caramel sauce can be homemade or store-bought, but it’s important to select an actual caramel sauce rather than a sundae topping.
Ingredients
Crust
- ½ cup butter melted, unsalted
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
Apple Filling
- 2 apple peeled and thinly sliced (I used Granny Smith and Pink Lady* See Notes, large
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 to 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon based on preference
- ½ teaspoon ground ginger optional and to taste
- ⅛ teaspoon ground nutmeg or to taste
Crumble Topping
- ½ cup light brown sugar packed
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- ½ cup old-fashioned rolled oats do NOT use quick cook or instant oats, whole
- 6 tablespoons butter softened, unsalted
- ¾ cup caramel sauce homemade or store bought **See Notes, for drizzling, salted
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
- Use firm apples like Jonathan, Pink Lady, Fuji, Gala, or Braeburn for texture; Granny Smith is the green apple choice.
- Choose actual salted caramel sauce rather than caramel sundae toppings to achieve the right consistency and flavor.
- Extra bars store airtight for up to 5 days at room temperature or refrigerated, and freeze well up to 4 months.
- Note that covering the bars softens the crumble topping over time, changing texture but not flavor.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition 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.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
You'll Also Love
