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Crispy Salted Caramel Apple Pie Bars

Crispy Salted Caramel Apple Pie Bars - featured image
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These easy fall dessert bars feature layers of buttery crust, spiced apples, gooey salted caramel, and a crispy streusel topping. Perfect for gatherings, potlucks, or a cozy treat, they deliver all the comfort of apple pie in a fuss-free, shareable form.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 2 large apples (Granny Smith and Honeycrisp recommended), peeled, cored, and thinly sliced
  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg (optional)
  • 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 cup salted caramel sauce (homemade or store-bought)
  • Extra flaky sea salt for sprinkling
  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/3 cup brown sugar
  • 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
  • 1/2 cup rolled oats
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • Pinch of salt

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang for easy removal.
  2. In a medium bowl, combine 1 cup flour, 1/4 cup sugar, and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Add 1/2 cup cold, cubed butter and use a pastry cutter or forks to blend until pea-sized crumbs form. Press evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan. Bake for 12-14 minutes until lightly golden at the edges. Let cool slightly.
  3. Peel, core, and thinly slice 2 large apples. Toss slices with 2 tablespoons brown sugar, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg (if using), 1 tablespoon flour, and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Layer apples evenly over the crust.
  4. Drizzle 1/2 cup salted caramel sauce over the apples. Sprinkle with a pinch of flaky sea salt.
  5. In another bowl, mix 1/2 cup flour, 1/3 cup brown sugar, 1/2 cup oats, 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, and a pinch of salt. Stir in 1/4 cup melted butter until clumps form.
  6. Sprinkle streusel topping evenly over the caramel-coated apples. Press down gently.
  7. Bake for 30-35 minutes, until topping is deep golden and apples are bubbling.
  8. Cool in the pan for at least 30 minutes. Use parchment overhang to lift out. Cut into 12 squares.

Notes

For gluten-free or vegan adaptations, use a cup-for-cup gluten-free flour blend and plant-based butter. Chill butter for best crust and streusel texture. Slice apples thin for even baking. Bars firm up as they cool; resist slicing too soon. Add nuts to streusel for extra crunch if desired.

Nutrition

Keywords: apple pie bars, salted caramel, fall dessert, streusel, easy apple dessert, apple bars, caramel apple bars, autumn baking, potluck dessert, kid-friendly

Find it online: https://bitematrix.com/crispy-salted-caramel-apple-pie-bars-easy-fall-dessert-with-buttery-streusel/