Description
These Salted Caramel Apple Pie Bars feature a buttery shortbread crust, a cinnamon-spiced apple filling, a crumbly streusel topping, and a generous drizzle of salted caramel. They’re an easier alternative to traditional apple pie, perfect for fall gatherings and holiday dessert tables.
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
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 300°F (149°C). Line an 8-inch square baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the sides.
- Make the crust: Stir the melted butter, sugar, vanilla, and salt together in a medium bowl. Add the flour and stir until combined. Press the mixture evenly into the prepared baking pan. Bake for 15 minutes, then remove from the oven and set aside to cool slightly.
- Make the apple filling: In a large bowl, combine the chopped apples, flour, sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Set aside.
- Make the streusel topping: Mix the oats, brown sugar, cinnamon, and flour together. Cut in the cold butter with a pastry cutter or fork until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- Assemble: Evenly layer the apple filling on top of the warm crust. Sprinkle the streusel topping evenly over the apples.
- Bake for 30–35 minutes or until the topping is golden brown and the apples are bubbly.
- Remove from the oven and allow to cool for at least 20 minutes at room temperature, then chill in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours before cutting into bars.
- Once cooled, drizzle salted caramel sauce over the bars before serving.
Notes
- Bars can be made ahead and stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Use tart apples like Granny Smith for best flavor contrast with the sweet caramel.
- Homemade or store-bought salted caramel both work well.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 270
- Sugar: 22g
- Sodium: 100mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 36g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
