Salted Caramel Apple Pie Bars Recipe

Fall is the season of comfort food, and nothing says "autumn" like the combination of apples and caramel. These Salted Caramel Apple Pie Bars take the best elements of a traditional apple pie and transform them into an easy-to-eat, crowd-pleasing dessert that’s perfect for parties, potlucks, or a cozy night in. These bars have a buttery shortbread crust, a sweet and spiced apple filling, and are topped with a crumbly streusel and drizzled with rich salted caramel sauce. Trust me, these are irresistible!

Let’s dive into the recipe, complete with easy-to-follow steps, helpful tips, and variations to make your Salted Caramel Apple Pie Bars the talk of any gathering.

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What Are Salted Caramel Apple Pie Bars?

Salted Caramel Apple Pie Bars are a delicious, handheld dessert that takes all the flavors of a classic apple pie—sweet, spiced apples, buttery crust, and crumbly topping—then adds a modern twist with a generous drizzle of salted caramel sauce. These bars are easier to make and serve than traditional apple pie, but they deliver the same warm and comforting flavors. The salted caramel adds an extra layer of indulgence, balancing the sweetness of the apples with a hint of savory richness.

Ingredients List for Salted Caramel Apple Pie Bars

Before you get started, make sure you have the following ingredients ready:

For the Crust:

• 1 cup unsalted butter (melted): Adds richness to the base of your bars.
• ½ cup granulated sugar: Sweetens the crust.
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract: Enhances flavor.
• ¼ teaspoon salt: Balances the sweetness.
• 2 cups all-purpose flour: Forms the structure of the crust.

For the Apple Filling:

• 4 medium apples (peeled, cored, and thinly sliced): Granny Smith apples are ideal for their tartness, but Honeycrisp or Gala work well too.
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour: Helps thicken the apple filling.
• ¼ cup granulated sugar: Adds sweetness to the apples.
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon: The classic spice for apple pie.
• ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg: Adds warmth and depth of flavor.
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice: Brightens the apple flavor and prevents browning.

For the Streusel Topping:

• ¾ cup old-fashioned rolled oats: Adds a nice chewy texture to the topping.
• ½ cup light brown sugar (packed): For sweetness and a hint of molasses flavor.
• ½ cup all-purpose flour: To bind the streusel.
• ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon: For added spice.
• ¼ teaspoon salt: Balances the flavors.
• ½ cup unsalted butter (cold and cubed): Creates a crumbly, buttery topping.

For the Salted Caramel Sauce:

• 1 cup granulated sugar: The base for your caramel sauce.
• 6 tablespoons unsalted butter: Adds richness to the caramel.
• ½ cup heavy cream: Makes the caramel sauce smooth and creamy.
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract: Enhances the caramel flavor.
• 1 teaspoon sea salt (or kosher salt): Gives that perfect salty contrast to the sweet caramel.

Substitutions and Variations

Want to change things up? Here are some ideas for substitutions and variations:

• Gluten-Free Option: Use a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend for both the crust and streusel topping.
• Dairy-Free Version: Swap the butter with plant-based butter and use coconut cream instead of heavy cream for the caramel sauce.
• Add Nuts: Toss in ½ cup of chopped pecans or walnuts into the streusel topping for an added crunch.
• Spice It Up: You can add a pinch of ground cloves or allspice to the apple filling for even more fall flavor.

Step-by-Step Cooking Instructions

Preparing the Crust:

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a 9x13-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving some overhang for easy removal later.
2. In a large bowl, stir together the melted butter, granulated sugar, vanilla extract, and salt until combined.
3. Add the flour and stir until the mixture is well incorporated and forms a soft dough.
4. Press the dough evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking pan, using your fingers or the back of a spoon.
5. Bake the crust for 15-18 minutes, or until it’s lightly golden around the edges. Remove from the oven and set aside while you prepare the filling.

Making the Apple Filling:

1. In a large mixing bowl, combine the sliced apples, flour, granulated sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and lemon juice. Toss everything together until the apples are well coated.
2. Spread the apple mixture evenly over the baked crust. Make sure to arrange the apples so they are distributed evenly across the surface.

Preparing the Streusel Topping:

1. In a medium bowl, whisk together the rolled oats, brown sugar, flour, cinnamon, and salt.
2. Add the cold, cubed butter, and using a pastry cutter or your hands, cut the butter into the dry ingredients until the mixture forms pea-sized crumbs.
3. Sprinkle the streusel evenly over the apple layer.

Baking the Bars:

1. Place the pan back in the oven and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the apples are tender.
2. Once baked, remove the pan from the oven and allow the bars to cool in the pan for at least 30 minutes. You can then refrigerate the bars for 1-2 hours to make them easier to slice.

Making the Salted Caramel Sauce:

1. While the bars are cooling, prepare the salted caramel sauce. In a medium saucepan, heat the sugar over medium heat, stirring constantly. The sugar will first clump together and then melt into a thick amber liquid.
2. Once the sugar is fully melted, carefully add the butter and stir until it’s completely melted and combined with the sugar. Be careful, as the mixture will bubble up!
3. Slowly pour in the heavy cream while stirring. The mixture will bubble vigorously again, but keep stirring until it all comes together into a smooth sauce.
4. Remove the saucepan from heat and stir in the vanilla extract and sea salt. Let the caramel sauce cool slightly before drizzling it over the bars.

How to Cook Salted Caramel Apple Pie Bars: A Quick Guide

Here’s a simplified guide to making these delicious Salted Caramel Apple Pie Bars:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F and prepare the crust by mixing melted butter, sugar, and flour. Press it into the pan and bake for 15-18 minutes.
2. Prepare the apple filling by tossing sliced apples with sugar, flour, cinnamon, and lemon juice. Spread it over the baked crust.
3. Make the streusel topping by mixing oats, brown sugar, flour, cinnamon, and butter. Crumble it over the apples.
4. Bake the bars for 30-35 minutes until the topping is golden brown and apples are tender.
5. Make the salted caramel sauce by melting sugar, adding butter, then cream, and finally salt and vanilla.
6. Drizzle the caramel sauce over the cooled bars before slicing and serving.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Not Pressing the Crust Firmly Enough: Be sure to press the crust firmly into the pan so that it holds together when cut into bars.
• Overcooking the Caramel: Caramel can burn quickly, so keep a close eye on it and stir constantly to prevent scorching.
• Skipping the Cooling Process: It’s tempting to dig in right away, but the bars need time to cool and set properly before cutting.

Serving and Presentation Tips

How to Serve Salted Caramel Apple Pie Bars:

• These bars are delicious served slightly warm, drizzled with extra caramel sauce. For an extra indulgent treat, serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on the side.

Presentation Ideas for Salted Caramel Apple Pie Bars:

• Drizzle Extra Caramel: Just before serving, drizzle more salted caramel sauce over the top of the bars for added appeal.
• Top with Whipped Cream: A dollop of freshly whipped cream on each bar adds a nice touch.
• Garnish with Nuts: Sprinkle chopped toasted pecans or walnuts over the bars for extra crunch and flavor.

Salted Caramel Apple Pie Bars Recipe Tips

• Make Ahead: You can make these bars up to 2 days in advance. Store them covered in the refrigerator and drizzle with caramel just before serving.
• Freezing: These bars freeze well! Simply wrap them individually in plastic wrap and store in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before serving.
• Adjusting the Salt: Feel free to adjust the amount of sea salt in the caramel sauce based on your taste. Start with ½ teaspoon and add more if desired.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Can I use store-bought caramel sauce?

Yes, you can use store-bought caramel sauce to save time. However, homemade salted caramel adds a richer flavor that really complements the bars.

2.What type of apples should I use?

Granny Smith apples are ideal because their tartness balances the sweetness of the caramel. However, any firm apple like Honeycrisp, Fuji, or Gala will work well.

3. Can I make these bars gluten-free?

Yes! Simply replace the all-purpose flour in both the crust and streusel with a gluten-free flour blend.

4. How do I store leftovers?

Store leftover bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Reheat them slightly before serving to enjoy the warm apple and caramel flavors.

Conclusion

These Salted Caramel Apple Pie Bars combine the best of fall flavors—spiced apples, buttery crust, and sweet, gooey salted caramel—into a dessert that’s both easy to make and guaranteed to impress. Whether you’re hosting a fall gathering, a holiday feast, or simply looking for a comforting treat to enjoy at home, this recipe will not disappoint. Try them today and savor the ultimate autumn dessert!

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