salted caramel apple pie bars Recipe

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If you’re looking for a dessert that perfectly balances the cozy charm of autumn with a touch of indulgent sweetness, let me introduce you to these incredible salted caramel apple pie bars. Each bite offers the tender, spiced apple filling you love in a classic apple pie, wrapped in a buttery, oat-studded crust and finished with a luscious drizzle of homemade salted caramel sauce. These salted caramel apple pie bars are the ultimate treat to satisfy your craving for something sweet, tangy, and downright comforting all at once.

Ingredients You’ll Need

This recipe keeps things approachable with simple pantry staples and fresh apples, each ingredient playing a vital role in creating those perfect flavors and textures. From the crisp apples to the rich butter and fragrant spices, everything is essential for bringing these bars to life.

• Apples (5 medium): Choose firm apples sliced between 1/8″ and 1/4″ thick to ensure each bite has tender yet distinct apple pieces.
• Lemon juice (1 tbsp): Adds brightness to the filling, enhancing the apple flavor and preventing browning.
• All-purpose flour (3 tbsp + 3 cups): Helps thicken the apple filling and forms the base and topping crust.
• Light brown sugar (1/3 + 1 1/2 cups): Brings deep caramel notes and moisture for the crust and filling.
• Cinnamon (1 tbsp + 1 tsp): The quintessential spice that pairs beautifully with apples, adding warmth and depth.
• Nutmeg, allspice, ground cloves (various pinches): These spices create a complex and inviting aroma, like your favorite fall bake.
• Salt (pinch + 1/2 tsp): Balances sweetness and highlights all the flavors, especially in the salted caramel sauce.
• Salted butter (1 1/2 cups melted + 6 tbsp cubed): Provides rich fat that makes the crust tender and helps create the luscious caramel sauce.
• Old-fashioned rolled oats (2 cups): Adds texture and a rustic, hearty feel to the crust and topping.
• Baking soda (1 1/2 tsp): Gives the crust a slight lift and prevents it from being too dense.
• Granulated sugar (1 cup): The base for the salted caramel sauce, melting down to that signature buttery sweetness.
• Heavy cream (1/2 cup + 1 tbsp): Enriches the caramel with smooth creaminess and helps it coat the bars perfectly.

How to Make salted caramel apple pie bars

Step 1: Prep Your Pan and Oven

Start by preheating your oven to 350℉ to get it nice and ready. Spray a 9×13-inch pan with nonstick spray and line it with parchment paper, leaving plenty of overhang on the sides. This will make lifting out the bars for slicing a breeze later on.

Step 2: Prepare the Apple Filling

In a medium bowl, toss your sliced apples with the lemon juice, all-purpose flour, brown sugar, and those aromatic spices—cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, ground cloves, and a pinch of salt. Be gentle when mixing so you keep the apple slices intact but evenly coated with flavor. This combination gives the filling its tender, spiced character that’s the heart of these salted caramel apple pie bars.

Step 3: Make the Crust and Topping Mixture

While your oven heats, melt the butter in a large bowl. Add the flour, oats, brown sugar, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt, then stir everything together until it’s a crumbly but cohesive mix. This mixture will serve a dual purpose: as a buttery crust that holds everything together and as a crunchy topping that adds texture and sweetness.

Step 4: Assemble the Bars

Reserve about 2 cups of the crust mixture for the topping and press the remaining mixture firmly into the bottom of your prepared pan. Give your apple filling one last gentle stir to redistribute the juices, then spoon the apple slices evenly over the crust base, leaving behind any excess liquid. Sprinkle the reserved crust mixture evenly over the apples to create a golden, crunchy top layer once baked.

Step 5: Bake to Perfection

Slide your pan into the oven and bake for 38 to 45 minutes, or until the topping turns a mouthwatering golden brown and the apples feel tender when pierced with a fork. As the bars bake, prepare your salted caramel sauce to drizzle on top — this will elevate these bars from delicious to unforgettable. After baking, allow the bars to cool on a wire rack for 1 to 2 hours before slicing so they set perfectly.

Step 6: Make the Salted Caramel Sauce

While the bars are in the oven, melt granulated sugar over medium heat until it caramelizes into a deep amber hue. Then whisk in cubed salted butter, followed by heavy cream and a pinch of fine sea salt, stirring constantly until silky smooth. This homemade salted caramel sauce will be the crowning glory of your salted caramel apple pie bars, complementing the warm apples and buttery crust spectacularly.

How to Serve salted caramel apple pie bars

Garnishes

For an extra special touch, drizzle the bars generously with your homemade salted caramel sauce just before serving. A sprinkle of flaky sea salt on top adds a delightful crunch and accentuates the caramel flavor. A dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream transforms these bars into an irresistible dessert that everyone will rave about.

Side Dishes

These bars shine on their own, but if you want to turn your dessert into a comforting spread, offer warm apple cider or spiced tea alongside. A cup of strong coffee also pairs beautifully, balancing the sweetness with its rich bitterness. For brunch, add a simple green salad with tangy vinaigrette to contrast the richness and keep the meal balanced.

Creative Ways to Present

Serve the salted caramel apple pie bars on a rustic wooden board or a pretty platter lined with parchment paper for a cozy, homey vibe. For gatherings, cut the bars into bite-sized squares and offer them on dessert skewers, drizzled with caramel just before presenting. You can even layer the bars with whipped cream and a sprinkle of toasted pecans in clear glasses for an elegant, layered parfait style dessert.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Keep your salted caramel apple pie bars fresh by storing them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 to 4 days. Whether topped with caramel or plain, chilling helps the bars firm up beautifully, making them easier to slice and hold together while preserving their delightful texture.

Freezing

These bars freeze wonderfully, making them perfect for batch baking or saving for later. Wrap individual slices tightly in plastic wrap or foil, then place them in a freezer-safe container or bag for up to 3 months. When you’re ready, thaw them overnight in the fridge to maintain that fresh-baked taste.

Reheating

If you like your bars warm, simply pop them in the microwave for 20 to 30 seconds or heat gently in a low oven until warmed through. Add a fresh drizzle of salted caramel sauce post-warming for that extra gooey goodness. Whether warm or cold, these bars retain their delicious flavor and texture every time.

FAQs

Can I use other types of apples for the filling?

Absolutely! Tart apples like Granny Smith work great to balance sweetness, but Fuji, Honeycrisp, or Gala apples will also add wonderful flavor and texture. Mixing apple varieties can give your filling extra depth.

Is it possible to make the salted caramel sauce ahead of time?

Yes, you can make the salted caramel sauce up to three days in advance. Store it in an airtight jar in the fridge and gently warm it in the microwave or on the stovetop to loosen before drizzling over your bars.

Can I substitute the oats in the crust for something else?

If you don’t have rolled oats, you can replace them with chopped nuts like walnuts or pecans for a different but delicious texture. However, oats add a lovely rustic chew that complements the apples beautifully.

What if I don’t have parchment paper for lining the pan?

Nonstick spray alone can work, but parchment paper really helps with lifting the bars out easily without breaking. If you don’t have parchment, you can also foil-line the pan and spray it well to avoid sticking.

How thick should I slice the apples for the best bars?

Slicing apples between one-eighth and one-quarter inch thick ensures the apples soften nicely without turning mushy during baking. This thickness keeps the filling tender with just the right amount of bite.

Final Thoughts

There’s something truly magical about these salted caramel apple pie bars that makes them feel like a warm hug on a plate. From their heavenly spiced apple filling to the crunchy, buttery crust and that irresistible salted caramel drizzle, they’re absolutely worth every bit of love and effort. I can’t wait for you to try making these bars and discover how wonderfully they bring that cozy, autumnal flavor right to your kitchen. Trust me, once you taste these salted caramel apple pie bars, they’ll become your new favorite dessert to share again and again.

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