Picture this: the warm, comforting taste of apple pie, but in bar form, with a luscious salted caramel drizzle that makes every bite pure magic. These Salted Caramel Apple Pie Bars are the kind of dessert that will instantly become a new favorite. The crisp apples, the buttery crust, and the rich caramel are everything you need to end your meal on a high note—or just to snack on when you’re in need of something sweet and comforting.
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Trust me, these bars are the perfect balance of sweet and salty. The caramel adds a decadent touch, while the apples bring that tartness that’ll have you going back for seconds. And the best part? They’re easy to make and slice up beautifully for sharing (if you can resist keeping them all to yourself!).
Why You’ll Love Salted Caramel Apple Pie Bars
This isn’t just a dessert; it’s an experience. Here’s why you’ll fall head over heels for these bars:
Deliciously Indulgent: The combination of tender apple slices, buttery crust, and gooey salted caramel is seriously next-level. You’ll savor every bite.
Seasonal Perfection: These bars are perfect for fall, but honestly, they’re good year-round. The apples and caramel are like a match made in heaven.
Make-Ahead Friendly: They store beautifully in the fridge, and they’re even better the next day when all those flavors have had time to mingle.
Easy to Make: No complicated steps here—just layer, bake, and drizzle! You don’t need to be a baking pro to pull this one off.
A Crowd-Pleaser: These bars are a guaranteed hit at parties, family gatherings, or even just a cozy night at home. Everyone loves a slice of apple pie with a twist!
Ingredients in Salted Caramel Apple Pie Bars
Let’s take a look at the magic behind these irresistible bars:
Apples: The star ingredient. Sweet, tart apples that soften perfectly when baked, offering a burst of flavor in each bite.
Butter: For a rich and buttery crust that melts in your mouth.
Sugar & Brown Sugar: A mix of sugars to sweeten up the apples and the crust, giving everything that warm, sweet flavor.
Flour: To create the base of the crust and the structure for these bars.
Eggs: Helping to bind everything together and giving the bars a nice, firm texture.
Cinnamon & Nutmeg: Essential spices that give the bars that perfect fall flavor.
Caramel Sauce: The indulgent salted caramel drizzle that takes these bars to the next level.
Sea Salt: A pinch of salt to balance the sweetness of the caramel and enhance the flavors of the apples.
(Note: the full ingredients list, including measurements, is provided in the recipe card directly below.)
Instructions
Ready to make some magic in the kitchen? Here’s how you do it:
Preheat Your Oven: Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). You want it nice and hot when these bars go in!
Prepare the Crust: In a large bowl, combine flour, sugar, and butter. Use a pastry cutter or your hands to work the butter into the flour until it resembles coarse crumbs. Press this mixture evenly into the bottom of a greased 9×13-inch baking dish. Bake for about 10-12 minutes until the crust is just golden.
Prepare the Apple Filling: While the crust is baking, peel, core, and slice your apples. Toss them in a mixture of sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and a little flour to help thicken the filling as it bakes. Set this aside.
Assemble the Bars: Once the crust is golden, remove it from the oven and spread the apple mixture evenly over the crust. Return to the oven and bake for another 35-40 minutes until the apples are tender and the filling is bubbly.
Make the Salted Caramel Drizzle: While the bars are baking, prepare the salted caramel sauce. You can use store-bought caramel sauce, or if you’re feeling adventurous, make your own! Once done, stir in a pinch of sea salt to give it that perfect sweet-salty flavor.
Drizzle and Cool: Once the bars are done baking, remove them from the oven and let them cool completely. Drizzle the salted caramel sauce over the top for that indulgent finish.
Slice and Serve: Once cooled, slice into bars and serve. Enjoy with a cup of coffee or your favorite fall beverage for the perfect treat.
Nutrition Facts
Servings: 12
Calories per serving: 290
Preparation Time
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 50 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
How to Serve Salted Caramel Apple Pie Bars
These bars are absolutely delicious on their own, but here are some serving ideas to take them up a notch:
With Vanilla Ice Cream: A scoop of vanilla ice cream on the side makes this a total indulgence. The cold ice cream paired with the warm bars is heavenly.
With Whipped Cream: Add a dollop of whipped cream to each bar for extra creaminess.
With a Cup of Coffee: These bars are perfect for pairing with a hot cup of coffee, making it an ideal treat for your morning or afternoon break.
As Part of a Dessert Spread: Serve them alongside other fall desserts, like pumpkin pie or pecan bars, for a sweet spread that’s sure to impress.
Additional Tips
Choose the Right Apples: Use a mix of tart and sweet apples for the best flavor balance. Granny Smiths are great for tartness, while Fuji or Gala apples add sweetness.
Don’t Skip the Cooling Time: Let the bars cool completely before cutting to ensure they slice cleanly.
Make Ahead: These bars store well in the fridge for up to a week, and the flavors continue to improve the next day!
For Extra Caramel: Drizzle with extra caramel sauce right before serving for even more decadence.
Dietary Adjustments: If you’re looking for a dairy-free version, swap the butter for a plant-based option and use dairy-free caramel sauce.
FAQ Section
Q1: Can I make these bars gluten-free?
A1: Yes! Simply swap the all-purpose flour for a gluten-free flour blend, and you’re good to go.
Q2: Can I make my own caramel sauce?
A2: Absolutely! Making your own caramel sauce is easy and adds an extra special touch. Just be sure to let it cool slightly before drizzling over the bars.
Q3: Can I freeze these bars?
A3: Yes! These bars freeze well. Once cooled, wrap them tightly in plastic wrap or foil and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw before serving.
Q4: Can I use pre-made pie crust for these bars?
A4: You can, but making your own crust gives these bars that homemade touch and a delicious, buttery texture. But if you’re short on time, store-bought pie crust will work too!
Q5: How do I store leftovers?
A5: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week.
Q6: Can I use other fruits besides apples?
A6: Yes, you can! Pears or peaches would be a great substitute for the apples in this recipe.
Q7: How can I make the caramel extra salted?
A7: Just add a little more sea salt to the caramel sauce to intensify the salty flavor!
Q8: Can I add nuts to these bars?
A8: Yes! Chopped pecans or walnuts would make a great addition to the apple filling for some extra crunch.
Q9: Can I skip the caramel drizzle?
A9: You can, but the salted caramel drizzle really makes these bars special. If you prefer, you can use a simple glaze instead.
Q10: How can I make these bars less sweet?
A10: Reduce the sugar in the filling and drizzle lightly with the caramel sauce to make them less sweet.
These Salted Caramel Apple Pie Bars are the perfect fall treat with their irresistible combination of apples, buttery crust, and rich caramel. Once you try them, you’ll want to make them year-round! Happy baking!
Print
Salted Caramel Apple Pie Bars
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 55 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Yield: 9 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
These salted caramel apple pie bars combine the comfort of apple pie with a buttery shortbread crust. Filled with cinnamon-spiked apples and decadent caramel sauce, these bars are the perfect sweet treat to enjoy anytime
Ingredients
Shortbread Crust:
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295 g plain flour (all-purpose flour) (2 1/4 cups / 10.4 oz)
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1/3 cup white granulated sugar
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1/3 cup light brown sugar
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1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
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1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
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1/2 teaspoon salt
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226 g unsalted butter, cold (8 oz – divided 42:184g / 1 1/2 : 6 1/2 oz)
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1/4 cup rolled oats (old-fashioned oats), for topping only (30g / ~1 oz)
Filling:
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50 g light brown sugar (1/4 cup packed / 1.8 oz)
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3 medium apples (refer to notes for options)
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2 tablespoons plain flour (all-purpose flour) (refer to notes)
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1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
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1/2 cup salted caramel sauce
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Sea salt flakes for topping (optional)
Instructions
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Make the shortbread crust:
Preheat the oven to 180°C (160°C fan-forced) / 350°F. Line an 8-inch square baking pan with baking paper.Melt 42 g (roughly 1 ½ oz / 3 Tbsp) of the butter, then set aside to cool slightly. Keep the rest of the butter cold.
In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, both sugars, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Grate the remaining cold butter using the large side of a box grater, then work it into the flour mixture with your fingertips or a pastry blender until it resembles breadcrumbs. The butter should be in roughly lentil-sized pieces.
Stir in the melted butter with a spatula and your hands until well distributed and the mixture clumps together when squeezed. Press ⅔ of the mixture into the base of the pan, then mix the oats into the remaining ⅓ for the topping and set aside.
Bake the base for 15 minutes.
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Prepare the filling:
Peel and quarter the apples, then slice them thinly (about 3mm / ⅛ inch thick). You should have about 3 ½–4 cups once sliced. Combine the apples, brown sugar, flour, and cinnamon in a bowl, tossing until evenly coated.Once the base is ready, layer the apple slices evenly over the top, arranging them to reduce gaps. Drizzle over 2 tablespoons of the caramel sauce. Scatter the remaining cookie dough (with oats) over the apples.
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Bake the bars:
Bake for a further 35–40 minutes, until the top is golden brown and the apples are tender but still have a little bite when pierced with a toothpick. -
Cool and serve:
Cool in the pan for at least 1 hour, or until firm enough to lift out using the paper overhang. Chill to cool completely before slicing into 9, 12, or 16 bars.Once sliced, drizzle with slightly warmed salted caramel sauce and sprinkle with flaky sea salt (optional). Serve immediately.
Notes
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Apple options: You can use any variety of apple that holds its shape well during baking, such as Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or Gala.
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Flour in the filling: The flour in the filling helps to thicken the caramel sauce and prevents it from becoming too runny.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 30g
- Sodium: 75mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 36g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 30mg