Name: Salted Caramel Apple Pie Bars
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 50 min
Total time: PT-490505H42M9S
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1/2 cup (115g) unsalted butter, melted; 1/4 cup (50g) granulated sugar; 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract; 1/4 teaspoon salt; 1 cup (125g) all-purpose flour; 2 large apples, peeled and chopped (about 2 cups); 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour; 1 tablespoon granulated sugar; 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon; 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg; 1/2 cup (40g) old-fashioned oats; 1/3 cup (65g) packed light or dark brown sugar; 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon; 1/4 cup (30g) all-purpose flour; 1/4 cup (60g) unsalted butter, cold and cubed; 1/2 cup (120ml) salted caramel sauce, for drizzling

Why You’ll Love Salted Caramel Apple Pie Bars Recipe

You get all the warm, nostalgic flavors of apple pie in bar form — no need to fuss with pie dough.
The shortbread crust and streusel topping add buttery, crumbly texture that contrasts beautifully with the soft cinnamon‑spiced apple filling.
The salted caramel drizzle gives a sweet‑salty finish that elevates the dessert into something special.
It’s fairly simple to assemble and ideal for serving to a group — easy to cut and share.

Ingredients

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

Shortbread Crust
unsalted butter, melted
granulated sugar
pure vanilla extract
salt
all-purpose flour

Apple Filling
apples, peeled and thinly sliced
all-purpose flour
granulated sugar
ground cinnamon
ground nutmeg

Streusel Topping
old-fashioned rolled oats
packed light or dark brown sugar
ground cinnamon
all-purpose flour
unsalted butter, cold and cubed
salted caramel (homemade or store-bought)

Directions

Preheat your oven to 300°F (149°C). Line an 8‑inch square baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang for easy removal.
Make the crust: Stir together the melted butter, granulated sugar, vanilla, and salt. Add the flour and mix until combined. Press the mixture evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan. Bake for 15 minutes, then remove from oven.
Prepare the apple filling: Toss the sliced apples with flour, sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg until well coated.
Make the streusel topping: In a bowl, combine oats, brown sugar, cinnamon, and flour. Cut in the cold, cubed butter using a pastry blender, fork, or your hands until crumbly.
Increase oven temperature to 350°F (177°C).
Layer the apples tightly over the warm crust — press them down to fit if necessary.
Sprinkle the streusel topping evenly over the apples.
Bake for 30–35 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown.
Remove from the oven and cool at room temperature for 20 minutes, then refrigerate for at least 2 hours (or overnight).
Lift the bars out of the pan using the parchment overhang. Slice into 12 or 16 bars and drizzle with salted caramel before serving. Enjoy them warm, at room temperature, or chilled.

Servings and timing

Yields 12–16 bars.
Total time: approximately 3 hours 20 minutes (including chilling time).
Prep time: about 25 minutes
Bake time: 45–50 minutes

Variations

Double the recipe and bake in a 9×13-inch pan for a larger batch. Increase the crust pre-bake time slightly and extend the overall baking time as needed.
Add nuts to the streusel for extra crunch. Chopped walnuts or pecans work beautifully.
Adjust sweetness by using light brown sugar instead of dark or reducing the sugar slightly in the filling or streusel.
Use different apples for varying flavor — try all sweet, all tart, or a blend.
Add extra spices like cloves, ginger, or allspice for a deeper fall spice profile.

Storage/Reheating

Store bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
To freeze, wrap each bar individually or place in a sealed container for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator before serving.
To reheat, microwave individual bars for 10–15 seconds or warm in a low oven until just heated through.

FAQs

What kind of apples work best for this recipe?

A mix of sweet and tart apples like Honeycrisp and Granny Smith offers the best flavor and texture contrast.

Can I skip the salted caramel drizzle?

Yes, the bars are still delicious without it, but the caramel adds an extra layer of flavor.

Can I make these a day ahead?

Absolutely. These bars actually improve in texture and flavor when chilled overnight.

Can I bake them in a different size pan?

Yes. Double the ingredients and use a 9×13-inch pan for a larger batch. Adjust baking times accordingly.

Can I substitute the oats in the streusel?

You can replace oats with chopped nuts or additional flour, but oats give a nice texture contrast.

My streusel seems greasy or doesn’t form crumbs — what went wrong?

The butter may have been too soft. Use cold, cubed butter and blend until crumbly.

Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted?

Yes. Just reduce or omit added salt in the crust and streusel to balance the flavor.

How should I store leftovers?

Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 3 months.

Do the bars taste good cold or at room temperature?

Yes, they’re excellent either way. Some people even prefer them chilled.

Can I add extra spices (like nutmeg or allspice) to the apple filling?

Definitely. Feel free to customize the spice blend to suit your taste.

Conclusion

Salted Caramel Apple Pie Bars deliver all the comforting flavors of traditional apple pie in a simpler, more portable format. From the buttery crust and warmly spiced apples to the crumbly streusel and rich caramel topping, every bite is a celebration of fall flavors. Whether you’re baking for a crowd or just looking for a cozy homemade dessert, these bars are sure to impress.