Salted Caramel Apple Bars

Last October, I finally nailed these salted caramel apple bars after eight attempts at getting the caramel layer perfectly gooey. The combination of buttery shortbread crust, cinnamon spiced apples, ridiculously gooey salted caramel, and crispy oat crumble creates the ultimate fall dessert that tastes like deconstructed apple pie on steroids. Max took one look at the caramel dripping down the sides and declared it "fancy apple treasure bars," which is honestly perfect. Now these salted caramel apple bars have replaced regular apple pie at every family gathering because they're easier to serve and that salted caramel situation makes everyone lose their minds.

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What is Salted Caramel Apple Bars

Salted caramel apple bars are a layered dessert that combines a buttery shortbread crust, tender cinnamon spiced apples, homemade salted caramel sauce, and a crispy oat crumble topping, creating a handheld version of caramel apple pie with more texture and flavor in every bite. Unlike traditional apple pie that requires pie crust skills and careful assembly, these bars layer everything in a 9x13 pan and bake into dessert perfection that's easy to cut, serve, and devour. The result is a gooey, crispy, sweet and salty fall dessert that captures everything amazing about caramel apples and apple pie in one incredible square.

How To Make Salted Caramel Apple Bars

Our easy salted caramel apple bars use a pressed shortbread crust that's sturdy enough to hold all the layers but still melts in your mouth with buttery goodness. The secret is making homemade salted caramel that gets drizzled over the apples before adding the crumble topping, which creates pockets of gooey caramel throughout while the sea salt balances all the sweetness perfectly. This technique ensures every bite has that magical combination of textures; crispy, gooey, tender, and crunchy all at once.

Salted Caramel Apple Bars Ingredients

For the Shortbread Crust:

• 2 cups all purpose flour
• ½ cup granulated sugar
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 1 cup cold butter, cubed
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For the Apple Filling:

• 4 large Granny Smith apples, peeled and diced
• 2 tablespoons all purpose flour
• 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice

For the Salted Caramel:

• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 6 tablespoons butter, room temperature
• ½ cup heavy cream, room temperature
• 1 teaspoon sea salt

For the Crumble Topping:

• 1 cup old fashioned oats
• ¾ cup all purpose flour
• ½ cup brown sugar, packed
• ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ½ cup cold butter, cubed

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Step by Step Method

Prepare the Shortbread Crust

• Mix flour, sugar, and salt in large bowl until combined
• Cut in cold cubed butter using pastry cutter or fork until mixture resembles coarse crumbs
• Add vanilla extract and mix until dough comes together
• Press firmly into greased 9x13 inch baking pan creating even layer
• Bake at 350°F for 15 minutes until lightly golden

Make the Spiced Apple Filling

• Toss diced apples with flour, sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and lemon juice in bowl
• Let mixture sit for 5 minutes so apples release some moisture
• Spread apple mixture evenly over pre baked shortbread crust
• The lemon juice prevents browning and adds brightness to filling

Create the Salted Caramel Sauce

• Heat sugar in heavy bottomed saucepan over medium heat, stirring constantly
• Sugar will clump then melt into amber colored liquid
• Add butter carefully as mixture will bubble vigorously
• Remove from heat and slowly pour in heavy cream while whisking
• Stir in sea salt and let cool for 5 minutes before drizzling

Drizzle Caramel Over Apples

• Pour salted caramel sauce over apple layer in crisscross pattern
• Use spoon to spread gently but don't worry about perfect coverage
• Caramel will spread during baking and create gooey pockets throughout
• Reserve small amount of caramel for drizzling after baking if desired

Add the Oat Crumble Topping

• Combine oats, flour, brown sugar, and cinnamon in bowl
• Cut in cold butter until mixture forms clumps and crumbles
• Sprinkle crumble evenly over caramel and apple layers
• Gently press down slightly so topping adheres but stays crumbly

Bake to Golden Perfection

• Bake at 350°F for 45-50 minutes until topping is golden brown
• Apples should be tender when pierced with knife
• Caramel will be bubbling around edges creating crispy caramel bits
• Let cool completely in pan before cutting into squares

Max's verdict: "The caramel makes it look like the bars are crying happy tears! Can I eat the corner piece with all the extra crispy bits?"

What Pairs Well With Salted Caramel Apple Bars?

These indulgent salted caramel apple bars pair beautifully with vanilla ice cream, whipped cream, or warm caramel sauce for ultimate dessert decadence. Try them alongside hot apple cider, spiced chai tea, or coffee for perfect fall afternoon treats. For holiday gatherings, serve with other apple desserts like apple crisp or pumpkin pie to create a complete autumn dessert spread that celebrates seasonal flavors.

Salted Caramel Apple Bars Variations

Salted Caramel Apple Crisp Bars with Oats

• Double the oat crumble topping for extra crispy texture
• Add chopped pecans or walnuts to crumble for nutty crunch
• Creates more crisp-like texture on top while keeping gooey caramel inside
• Perfect for people who love the crispy topping best

Easy Caramel Apple Bars with Store Bought Caramel

• Skip homemade caramel and use 1 cup store bought caramel sauce
• Warm caramel slightly before drizzling for easier spreading
• Add ½ teaspoon sea salt to store bought caramel for salted version
• Saves time while still delivering amazing flavor

Apple Pie Bars with Graham Cracker Crust

• Replace shortbread crust with 2 cups graham cracker crumbs mixed with ½ cup melted butter
• Creates more traditional pie crust flavor and texture
• Easier crust option that doesn't require cutting in butter
• Tastes like handheld apple pie perfection

Salted Caramel Apple Toffee Bars

• Add ½ cup toffee bits to apple filling for extra crunch
• Sprinkle additional toffee pieces over crumble topping before baking
• Chocolate toffee adds another dimension of flavor
• Creates candy bar-like experience with apples and caramel

Equipment You'll Need

• 9x13 inch baking pan for perfect bar thickness
• Pastry cutter or two forks for cutting butter into flour
• Heavy bottomed saucepan for making caramel without burning
• Apple peeler and sharp knife for prepping fruit
• Mixing bowls in various sizes
• Whisk for making smooth caramel
• Parchment paper for easy removal (optional but helpful)

Storage Tips

Room Temperature Storage

• Store cooled bars in airtight container at room temperature up to 3 days
• Place parchment paper between layers to prevent sticking
• Caramel stays gooey and delicious at room temperature
• Best texture when stored this way rather than refrigerating

Refrigerator Storage

• Store in airtight container in refrigerator up to 1 week
• Bring to room temperature 30 minutes before serving for best texture
• Caramel firms up when cold but softens as bars warm
• Refrigeration extends shelf life but changes texture slightly

Freezer Storage

• Wrap individual bars in plastic wrap then place in freezer bag
• Freeze up to 3 months for make ahead desserts
• Thaw overnight in refrigerator or 2 hours at room temperature
• Warm briefly in oven to refresh crumble topping before serving

Frequently Asked Questions

Your New Fall Baking Favorite

Now you have every secret to creating these incredible salted caramel apple bars that transform simple ingredients into the most amazing fall dessert. This recipe proves that the best baked goods layer complementary textures and flavors to create something that's greater than the sum of its parts.

Ready for more apple perfection? Try our Caramel Apple Eclair Cake for no bake caramel apple elegance, or explore our Cinnamon Apple Fritters for fried dough heaven with apple chunks. For creative apple desserts, our Apple Pie Egg Rolls use similar spiced filling with crispy wrapper magic.

Share your salted caramel apple bars creations! Tag us @HannahAndSproutKitchen with #SaltedCaramelAppleBars; we're dying to see your gooey caramel layers and hear about your favorite way to serve these amazing bars!

Star ⭐️ Rate this salted caramel apple bars recipe and join our community of fall baking enthusiasts!

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