Salted Caramel Apple Pie Bars Recipe

Salted Caramel Apple Pie Bars are a perfect dessert for fall, combining the flavors of classic apple pie with a rich, buttery crust and gooey salted caramel.

These bars are easy to make, great for serving at gatherings, and give you all the deliciousness of apple pie without the hassle of making a full pie. With layers of buttery shortbread crust, spiced apple filling, and a generous drizzle of homemade salted caramel, these bars will quickly become a family favorite.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Easy to Serve: These bars are easy to cut into squares, making them a convenient dessert for potlucks, parties, or holiday gatherings.
• No Pie Crust Hassle: Enjoy the flavors of apple pie without worrying about rolling out pie dough.
• Rich and Indulgent: The salted caramel drizzle adds a sweet-salty dimension that pairs perfectly with the warm spiced apples.
• Perfect Fall Dessert: This is the ultimate fall treat, filled with cinnamon-spiced apples and topped with gooey caramel.

Kitchen Tools You’ll Need

• 9×13-inch baking dish: For assembling the bars.
• Mixing bowls: To prepare the crust, filling, and topping.
• Whisk: For mixing ingredients, especially the caramel.
• Sharp knife: For slicing the apples.
• Spatula: For spreading the crust and filling.
• Saucepan: For making the caramel sauce.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Crust

1. Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13-inch baking dish with parchment paper, leaving some overhang for easy removal later.
2. Make the Crust: In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. Add the vanilla extract and salt, mixing well. Gradually add the flour, mixing until fully combined and a dough forms.
3. Press the Crust: Press the dough evenly into the prepared baking dish, using your hands or a spatula to create a smooth layer. Bake the crust for 15–18 minutes, or until it’s lightly golden and set. Remove from the oven and let it cool while you prepare the filling and topping.

Step 2: Make the Apple Filling

1. Prepare the Apples: Peel, core, and thinly slice the apples into even slices (about 1/8-inch thick).
2. Mix the Filling: In a large mixing bowl, combine the sliced apples, sugar, flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, and lemon juice. Toss until the apples are evenly coated in the mixture.
3. Spread the Filling: Evenly spread the apple filling over the pre-baked crust, making sure the apples are distributed in a single layer to ensure even baking.

Step 3: Make the Crumble Topping

1. Prepare the Topping: In a medium bowl, whisk together the melted butter, brown sugar, flour, and cinnamon. The mixture should form a thick, crumbly dough.
2. Add the Crumble: Crumble the topping mixture evenly over the apple filling. Make sure it’s well distributed so that every bar gets a bit of the crunchy topping.

Step 4: Bake the Bars

1. Bake: Place the assembled bars back into the oven and bake for 35–40 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the apples are tender. If the topping begins to brown too quickly, you can loosely cover the bars with aluminum foil during the last 10 minutes of baking.
2. Cool: Remove the bars from the oven and allow them to cool in the pan for at least 30 minutes before adding the caramel sauce. This cooling time helps the bars set and makes them easier to cut.

Step 5: Make the Salted Caramel Sauce

1. Melt the Sugar: In a medium saucepan over medium heat, add the granulated sugar. Stir constantly with a whisk or wooden spoon as the sugar begins to melt. The sugar will clump together before it fully melts, so be patient and keep stirring until it turns into a smooth amber-colored liquid.
2. Add the Butter: Once the sugar is melted, carefully stir in the butter pieces. The mixture will bubble up aggressively, so stir carefully until the butter is fully melted and combined with the sugar.
3. Add the Cream: Slowly pour in the heavy cream while continuing to stir. The mixture will bubble up again, but keep stirring until everything is fully incorporated. Allow the caramel to simmer for an additional 1–2 minutes to thicken slightly.
4. Add Salt: Remove the caramel from the heat and stir in the sea salt. Set the caramel aside to cool for a few minutes.

Step 6: Assemble and Serve

1. Drizzle with Caramel: Once the bars have cooled and set, remove them from the pan using the parchment paper overhang. Drizzle the salted caramel sauce generously over the top of the bars.
2. Cut into Bars: Use a sharp knife to cut the bars into squares. You can make them as large or small as you like, but I recommend cutting them into 12–16 pieces.
3. Serve: These bars can be served warm or at room temperature. For an extra indulgent dessert, serve them with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and an extra drizzle of salted caramel.

Tips for the Best Salted Caramel Apple Pie Bars

1. Use Firm Apples: For the best texture, choose firm, tart apples like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp. Softer apples may become mushy during baking.
2. Don’t Overbake: Keep an eye on the bars during the final minutes of baking. The crumble should be golden, but not too dark. If needed, use foil to prevent over-browning.
3. Let the Bars Cool Completely: Resist the urge to cut into the bars too soon! Allowing them to cool fully will ensure they hold their shape when sliced.
4. Homemade Caramel: While homemade salted caramel is highly recommended for the best flavor, you can use store-bought caramel sauce if you’re short on time. Just be sure to sprinkle some sea salt on top for that delicious sweet-salty balance.
5. Caramel Consistency: If your caramel sauce thickens too much as it cools, you can reheat it slightly over low heat or in the microwave. Add a splash of cream if necessary to loosen it up.

Variations on the Recipe

1. Pecan Salted Caramel Apple Pie Bars: Add chopped pecans to the crumble topping for extra crunch and nutty flavor. You can also sprinkle some toasted pecans over the caramel drizzle for added texture.
2. Oat Crumble Topping: If you prefer a more traditional streusel topping, replace half of the flour in the crumble with rolled oats. This will give the bars a hearty, chewy texture.
3. Maple Caramel Sauce: For a fall-inspired twist, swap out the traditional caramel for a maple-flavored version. Simply add a splash of maple syrup to the caramel sauce during cooking for extra depth of flavor.
4. Gluten-Free Version: Use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend in both the crust and crumble topping to make this recipe gluten-free. Be sure to check that all other ingredients are gluten-free as well.
5. Vegan Apple Pie Bars: To make this recipe vegan, substitute the butter with a plant-based alternative, use coconut cream in place of heavy cream for the caramel, and ensure the sugar is vegan-friendly.

How to Store and Reheat Leftovers

1. Storage: Store leftover bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. For longer storage, place them in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
2. Freezing: You can also freeze these bars! Wrap each bar individually in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer-safe bag or container. They’ll keep well in the freezer for up to 3 months. To serve, thaw the bars in the refrigerator overnight.
3. Reheating: These bars can be enjoyed at room temperature, but if you prefer them warm, reheat individual portions in the microwave for 15–20 seconds.

Conclusion

Salted Caramel Apple Pie Bars combine the best flavors of fall in an easy-to-make dessert that’s perfect for any occasion. The buttery shortbread crust, tender cinnamon-spiced apples, and crumbly topping are elevated by the sweet-salty caramel drizzle. Whether you’re serving these at a holiday gathering, a potluck, or just as a sweet treat at home, they’re sure to be a hit.

Yield: 16

Salted Caramel Apple Pie Bars Recipe

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Salted Caramel Apple Pie Bars are a perfect dessert for fall, combining the flavors of classic apple pie with a rich, buttery crust and gooey salted caramel. These bars are easy to make, great for serving at gatherings, and give you all the deliciousness of apple pie without the hassle of making a full pie. With layers of buttery shortbread crust, spiced apple filling, and a generous drizzle of homemade salted caramel, these bars will quickly become a family favorite.

Prep Time 25 minutes

Cook Time 50 minutes

Total Time 1 hour 15 minutes

Ingredients

• For the Crust:
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• For the Apple Filling:
• 2 large apples, peeled and diced (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp work best)
• 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
• For the Streusel Topping:
• 1/2 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
• 1/3 cup brown sugar, packed
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed
• For the Salted Caramel Sauce:
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 2 tablespoons water
• 1/4 cup heavy cream
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1/4 teaspoon sea salt (or to taste)

Instructions

1. Step 1: Prepare the Crust
   Preheat your oven to 300°F (150°C). Line an 8x8-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the sides for easy removal.
   In a medium bowl, mix the melted butter, granulated sugar, vanilla extract, and salt. Stir in the flour until combined, forming a soft dough.
   Press the dough evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking pan. Bake for 15 minutes, or until lightly golden brown. Remove from the oven and set aside to cool while you prepare the filling.
   
2. Step 2: Prepare the Apple Filling
   In a medium bowl, toss the diced apples with granulated sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and flour until the apples are evenly coated.
   
3. Step 3: Prepare the Streusel Topping
   In another medium bowl, combine the oats, brown sugar, cinnamon, and flour. Add the cold, cubed butter and use a pastry cutter (or your fingers) to mix the butter into the dry ingredients until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
   
4. Step 4: Assemble and Bake
   Spread the apple filling evenly over the pre-baked crust.
   Sprinkle the streusel topping over the apples, covering them completely.
   Bake the bars at 350°F (175°C) for 30-35 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the apples are tender.
   Remove from the oven and allow the bars to cool in the pan.
   
5. Step 5: Prepare the Salted Caramel Sauce
   In a small saucepan, heat the sugar and water over medium heat. Stir until the sugar dissolves, then stop stirring and allow the sugar to cook until it turns a deep amber color, about 5-7 minutes.
   Carefully whisk in the heavy cream and butter (the mixture will bubble). Continue stirring until smooth. Remove from heat and stir in the sea salt.
   Let the caramel cool slightly before drizzling over the bars.
   
6. Step 6: Serve
   Once the bars have cooled, lift them out of the pan using the parchment paper overhang and cut them into squares.
   Drizzle generously with the salted caramel sauce before serving.

Notes

Make Ahead: You can make the caramel sauce a day ahead and store it in the fridge. Just warm it slightly before drizzling over the bars.

Apples: Granny Smith apples add a nice tartness, but any firm apple variety will work.

Caramel Sauce Tip: Be sure to monitor the sugar while making the caramel to avoid burning it.