Description
Homemade salted caramel apple pie bars blend sweet and salty flavors into irresistible dessert perfection. Warm autumn spices and rich caramel create a delightful treat that brings comfort and joy to your kitchen.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 2 large apples, peeled and thinly sliced
- 1 cup (125 g / 4.4 oz) all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup (43 g / 1.5 oz) old-fashioned oats
Crust and Topping Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup (8 tablespoons / 113 g) unsalted butter, melted
- 1/2 cup (100 g) granulated sugar
- 1/3 cup (70 g) packed light or dark brown sugar
- 1/4 cup (4 tablespoons / 57 g) unsalted butter, cold and cubed
- 1/4 cup (31 g / 1.1 oz) all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
Caramel and Additional Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- Salted caramel: homemade or store-bought
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 300F (149C) and prepare an 8-inch square pan by lining it with parchment paper, ensuring complete coverage for easy removal.
- Create the buttery crust by combining melted butter, sugar, vanilla, and salt in a mixing bowl. Gradually incorporate flour until a cohesive mixture forms, then firmly press the dough evenly into the prepared pan. Bake for 15 minutes until lightly set.
- Prepare the apple filling by gently coating sliced apples with flour, sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg, ensuring each slice is evenly seasoned and protected from oxidation.
- Craft the streusel topping by mixing oats, brown sugar, cinnamon, and flour. Incorporate cold butter using a pastry cutter or fingertips until the mixture resembles coarse, crumbly texture.
- Assemble the bars by carefully arranging the seasoned apple slices over the pre-baked crust, pressing them down gently to create a compact layer. Generously sprinkle the prepared streusel over the apples.
- Increase oven temperature to 350F (177C) and bake for 30-35 minutes, watching for a golden-brown streusel and bubbling edges indicating complete cooking.
- Allow the baked bars to cool at room temperature for 20 minutes, then refrigerate for 2 hours or overnight to set and enhance flavor development.
- Slice into perfect squares and finish by drizzling with salted caramel, creating an indulgent dessert ready to serve and enjoy.
Notes
- Select firm, tart apples like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp for the best texture and balanced sweetness in your bars.
- Ensure butter is cold when making streusel to create those delightful, crumbly clusters that add amazing crunch.
- Use a sharp knife to slice apples uniformly, which helps create even layers and consistent baking throughout the dessert.
- For gluten-free version, swap regular flour with almond or gluten-free blend in both crust and streusel components.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 185 kcal
- Sugar: 14 g
- Sodium: 50 mg
- Fat: 9 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0.2 g
- Carbohydrates: 25 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 1.5 g
- Cholesterol: 20 mg