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Salted Caramel Apple Pie Bars Recipe

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★★★★★

4.5 from 114 reviews

These Salted Caramel Apple Pie Bars combine the classic flavors of a traditional apple pie with a delightful streusel topping and a buttery crust, finished with a drizzle of rich salted caramel sauce. Perfect for dessert or a special snack, these bars offer a tender, fruity filling with a crispy oat crumble topping.

Ingredients

Scale

Crust

  • 1/2 cup (8 Tbsp; 113g) unsalted butter, melted
  • 1/4 cup (50g) granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup (125g) all-purpose flour (spooned & leveled)

Apple Filling

  • 2 large apples, peeled and thinly sliced (1/4 inch thick)
  • 2 Tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 2 Tablespoons granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg

Streusel Topping

  • 1/2 cup (43g) old-fashioned whole rolled oats
  • 1/3 cup (70g) packed light or dark brown sugar
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 cup (31g) all-purpose flour (spooned & leveled)
  • 1/4 cup (4 Tbsp; 56g) unsalted butter, cold and cubed

Topping

  • Homemade salted caramel or store-bought caramel sauce

Instructions

  1. Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat the oven to 300°F (149°C). Line an 8-inch square baking pan with parchment paper, ensuring overhang on all sides for easy removal. Set aside.
  2. Make the Crust: In a medium bowl, stir together melted butter, granulated sugar, vanilla extract, and salt. Add 1 cup of all-purpose flour and mix until combined. Press this mixture evenly into the prepared pan. Bake for 15 minutes and remove from the oven.
  3. Prepare Apple Filling: In a large bowl, combine peeled and thinly sliced apples with 2 tablespoons flour, 2 tablespoons granulated sugar, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, and 1/8 teaspoon nutmeg until apples are evenly coated. Set aside.
  4. Make Streusel: Whisk oats, brown sugar, 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon, and 1/4 cup flour in a medium bowl. Cut in cold, cubed butter using a pastry blender or forks until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Set aside.
  5. Assemble and Bake: Increase oven temperature to 350°F (177°C). Layer the apple mixture evenly and tightly on the warm crust, pressing down to fit. Sprinkle streusel evenly over apples. Bake for 30–35 minutes or until streusel is golden brown.
  6. Cool and Chill: Remove from oven and allow to cool at room temperature for at least 20 minutes. Then chill in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours or overnight.
  7. Cut and Serve: Using parchment overhang, lift bars out of the pan and cut into 12 to 16 bars. Drizzle each bar with salted caramel sauce. Serve warm, at room temperature, or chilled.

Notes

  • Use tart apples like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp for best flavor and texture.
  • Make sure to press apples tightly to fit more fruit in the filling layer.
  • Chilling the bars after baking helps the bars set and makes cutting easier.
  • Store any leftovers refrigerated and consume within 3-4 days for best freshness.
  • For a quicker option, use store-bought caramel sauce instead of homemade.

Keywords: salted caramel, apple pie bars, dessert bars, autumn dessert, streusel topping, easy apple dessert

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