Description
Salted Caramel Apple Pie Bars bring the classic flavors of apple pie into an easy, handheld dessert. Featuring a buttery shortbread crust, spiced apple filling, crunchy streusel topping, and a drizzle of rich salted caramel, these bars are the perfect treat for any occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
Shortbread Crust
- ½ cup (113g) unsalted butter, melted
- ¼ cup (50g) granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup (125g) all-purpose flour (spooned & leveled)
- Apple Filling
- 2 large apples, peeled and thinly sliced (¼-inch thick)
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ⅛ teaspoon ground nutmeg
Streusel Topping
- ½ cup (43g) old-fashioned rolled oats
- ⅓ cup (70g) packed light or dark brown sugar
- ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ cup (31g) all-purpose flour (spooned & leveled)
- ¼ cup (56g) unsalted butter, cold and cubed
Salted Caramel Topping
- ½ cup homemade salted caramel sauce (or store-bought)
Instructions
- Prepare the baking pan: Preheat the oven to 300°F (149°C) and line an 8-inch square baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the sides for easy removal. Set aside.
- Make the crust: In a medium bowl, stir together the melted butter, granulated sugar, vanilla, and salt. Add the flour and mix until well combined. Press the mixture evenly into the prepared baking pan, ensuring an even layer. Bake for 15 minutes, then remove from the oven and set aside.
- Prepare the apple filling: In a large bowl, combine the sliced apples, flour, granulated sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Toss until the apples are evenly coated. Let them sit while preparing the streusel.
- Make the streusel topping: In another medium bowl, whisk together the oats, brown sugar, cinnamon, and flour. Using a pastry blender, two forks, or your hands, cut in the cold butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- Assemble the bars: Increase the oven temperature to 350°F (177°C). Spread the apple filling evenly over the warm crust, pressing the apple slices down to fit. Sprinkle the streusel topping generously over the apples, covering them completely.
- Bake the bars: Place the pan back in the oven and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the streusel is golden brown and crisp. Remove from the oven and allow to cool at room temperature for at least 20 minutes before refrigerating for 2 hours (or overnight) to help them fully set.
- Slice and serve: Once chilled, lift the bars from the pan using the parchment paper overhang. Cut into squares and drizzle with salted caramel just before serving. Enjoy at room temperature or slightly warmed.
Notes
- Use a mix of sweet and tart apples for the best flavor balance. Granny Smith and Honeycrisp make a great combination.
- For extra crunch, add chopped pecans or walnuts to the streusel topping.
- These bars can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. To freeze, wrap individual bars in plastic wrap and store them in a freezer-safe container for up to three months.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 16g
- Sodium: 85mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 25mg