Print

Salted Caramel Apple Pie Bars

Print Recipe

Salted Caramel Apple Pie Bars are the perfect combination of buttery crust, spiced apple filling, and rich caramel drizzle. These bars capture all the flavors of a classic apple pie but in a convenient, handheld form. The contrast of sweet apples, warm cinnamon, and a hint of salt in the caramel makes every bite irresistible. Whether you’re making them for a holiday gathering, a cozy fall treat, or simply to satisfy a caramel apple craving, these bars are guaranteed to be a hit.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Crust:

  • 1 cup unsalted butter, melted
  • ½ cup granulated sugar
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • ½ teaspoon salt

For the Apple Filling:

  • 3 large apples, peeled, cored, and diced (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp work best)
  • ½ cup brown sugar, packed
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
  • 1 teaspoon cornstarch
  • 1 teaspoon lemon juice

For the Crumb Topping:

  • ¾ cup all-purpose flour
  • ½ cup brown sugar, packed
  • ½ teaspoon cinnamon
  • ½ cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed

For the Salted Caramel Drizzle:

  • ½ cup caramel sauce (homemade or store-bought)
  • ½ teaspoon sea salt flakes

Ingredient Highlights

  • Apples: Granny Smith apples provide a tart contrast to the sweet caramel, while Honeycrisp adds natural sweetness.
  • Shortbread Crust: A buttery and slightly crisp base that holds up well to the apple filling.
  • Crumb Topping: Buttery, sweet, and slightly crunchy, this topping gives the bars a signature texture.
  • Salted Caramel: The drizzle of caramel with sea salt enhances the flavors and adds a delicious richness.

Instructions

Prepare the Crust:

  1. Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8×8-inch or 9×9-inch baking pan with parchment paper.
  2. Mix the Dough: In a medium bowl, stir together the melted butter, sugar, vanilla extract, flour, and salt until a dough forms.
  3. Press into the Pan: Press the dough evenly into the prepared baking pan. Use a spatula or your hands to ensure an even layer.
  4. Bake: Bake for 15 minutes, or until the edges start to turn golden brown. Remove from the oven and set aside.

Prepare the Apple Filling:

  1. Mix the Apples: In a large bowl, toss the diced apples with brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, cornstarch, and lemon juice until well coated.
  2. Spread Over the Crust: Evenly spread the apple mixture over the partially baked crust.

Make the Crumb Topping:

  1. Combine Ingredients: In a separate bowl, mix the flour, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Add the cold, cubed butter and use a pastry cutter or your fingers to mix until crumbs form.
  2. Sprinkle on Top: Evenly sprinkle the crumb topping over the apple filling.

Bake and Finish:

  1. Bake Again: Return the pan to the oven and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the crumb topping is golden brown and the apples are soft.
  2. Cool Completely: Let the bars cool in the pan for at least 30 minutes before cutting.

Add the Salted Caramel Drizzle:

  1. Drizzle Caramel: Warm the caramel sauce slightly and drizzle it over the cooled bars.
  2. Sprinkle Sea Salt: Lightly sprinkle sea salt flakes over the top for the perfect balance of sweet and salty flavors.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://herbites.com/salted-caramel-apple-pie-bars/