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Salted Caramel Apple Bars (Cut)
Anne Newgent

Salted Caramel Apple Bars

These salted caramel apple bars feature a buttery shortbread crust, tender spiced apples, a crisp oat crumble topping, and a rich caramel drizzle. Perfect for fall gatherings.
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Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 2 hours 30 minutes
Servings: 16 bars
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Calories: 265
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Shortbread Crust
  • 8 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
  • 0.25 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 0.25 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled
Apple Filling
  • 2 large apples, peeled and thinly sliced Use firm varieties like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp
  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 0.125 teaspoon ground nutmeg
Streusel Topping
  • 0.5 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
  • 0.33 cup packed brown sugar
  • 0.25 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 0.25 cup all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled
  • 4 tablespoons cold unsalted butter, cut into small cubes
  • Salted caramel sauce for drizzling Homemade or store-bought

Method
 

  1. Preheat oven to 300°F (150°C). Line an 8-inch square pan with parchment paper.
  2. In a medium bowl, mix melted butter, granulated sugar, vanilla, and salt until smooth. Stir in flour until a dough forms. Press into pan evenly. Bake for 15 minutes.
  3. Meanwhile, prepare apple filling: toss sliced apples with flour, sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Set aside.
  4. For the streusel: combine oats, brown sugar, cinnamon, and flour. Add cold butter and mix until crumbly.
  5. Raise oven temperature to 350°F (175°C). Layer apple mixture over warm crust and press gently.
  6. Sprinkle streusel evenly on top. Bake 30–35 minutes until golden brown and apples are tender.
  7. Cool at room temperature for 20 minutes, then refrigerate at least 2 hours before slicing.
  8. Drizzle salted caramel sauce before serving. Serve chilled, room temp, or slightly warmed.

Notes

For crisp streusel, freeze topping 30 minutes before baking. Don’t overmix crust dough to keep it tender. Use metal pans for even baking. Slice apples thinly and evenly for best texture. To make gluten-free, use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend and certified gluten-free oats.

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

Calories: 265 | Total Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Cholesterol: 30mg | Sodium: 95mg | Total Carbohydrates: 36g | Dietary Fiber: 2g | Sugars: 21g | Protein: 2g
Nutrition Disclaimer
Nutritional information provided is an estimate and may vary based on the products and brands you use. Calculate the actual nutrition values using your preferred nutrition calculator and the exact ingredients you choose.