Description
There’s nothing quite like a thick layer of spiced apples nestled in buttery crust and drizzled with homemade caramel. ✨ These Salted Caramel Apple Pie Bars are the perfect blend of sweet, spiced, and salty—and they slice up beautifully for parties, potlucks, or a cozy family dessert night. Make them once, and they’ll become a forever fall favorite!
Ingredients
Crust:
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• ½ cup granulated sugar
• ¼ tsp salt
• 1 cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed
• 1 egg, beaten
Apple Filling:
• 3 cups peeled and sliced apples (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp)
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• ¾ cup brown sugar
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• ¼ tsp nutmeg
Caramel Sauce:
• ¼ cup heavy cream
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 tbsp unsalted butter
• Optional: flaked sea salt for garnish
Instructions
1️⃣ Make the Crust:
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). In a bowl, combine flour, sugar, and salt. Cut in cold butter until crumbly. Add beaten egg and mix until dough forms.
Press ¾ of the dough into a greased 9×13-inch pan. Reserve remaining for topping. Bake for 15 minutes, then set aside.
2️⃣ Prepare the Apples:
Toss sliced apples with lemon juice, brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Cook in a saucepan over medium heat until apples soften (about 8–10 minutes).
3️⃣ Make the Caramel:
In a small pan, heat heavy cream, butter, and vanilla until melted and smooth. Pour into the apple mixture and stir to coat.
4️⃣ Assemble:
Pour caramel-apple filling over the baked crust. Crumble the reserved dough over top in a rustic pattern.
5️⃣ Bake Again:
Return to the oven and bake for 25–30 minutes or until topping is golden brown and filling is bubbling.
6️⃣ Cool & Drizzle:
Let cool completely. Drizzle with extra caramel sauce and a light sprinkle of sea salt before slicing into bars.
Notes
-
Best Apples to Use: Granny Smith offers tartness and structure, while Honeycrisp adds sweetness and juiciness. Use a mix for best flavor.
-
Caramel Shortcut: Short on time? You can substitute homemade caramel with high-quality store-bought caramel sauce, but homemade delivers the richest taste.
-
Oat Crust Option: For a more rustic, chewy texture, replace 1 cup of the flour with old-fashioned rolled oats.
-
Storage Tips: These bars keep well! Store in an airtight container at room temperature for 2 days, in the fridge for 5 days, or freeze for up to 2 months.
-
Serving Suggestion: Serve warm with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream for an extra decadent dessert.
-
Make Ahead: Prep and bake the bars a day in advance, and drizzle with caramel just before serving to maintain texture.
-
Gluten-Free Variation: Use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend and certified GF oats for a gluten-free version.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar (about 80g)
- Calories: ~285 kcal
- Sugar: ~21 g
- Sodium: ~120 mg
- Fat: ~15 g
- Saturated Fat: ~9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: ~5 g
- Trans Fat: ~0.2 g
- Carbohydrates: ~37 g
- Fiber: ~1.5 g
- Protein: ~2.5 g
- Cholesterol: ~45 mg
Keywords: Fall Desserts, Apple Recipes, Caramel Creations, Thanksgiving Dessert Ideas, Sweet and Salty Treats, Easy Dessert Bars, Shortbread Crust Recipes, Cozy Autumn Baking, Make-Ahead Potluck Treats, Fruit-Filled Sweets