Salted Caramel Apple Pie Bars
Ingredients
- 3 mediumapples
or 2 large, peeled, cored, thinly sliced into 1/8 to 1/4 inch slices, about 360 grams
- 2 tbspall purpose flour
- 2 ½ tbsplight brown sugar
packed
- 1 tbsplemon juice
- 1 tsplemon zest
- 1 ¼ tspcinnamon
- ⅛ tspnutmeg
- ⅛ tspallspice
- 1 pinchsalt
- ¾ call purpose flour
- 1 ⅓ cold fashioned oats)
or quick cooking oats (not instant
- ½ tspcinnamon
- ½ tspbaking powder
- ¼ tspsalt
- ⅝ clight brown sugar
- 10 tbspunsalted butter
room temperature
- salted caramel sauce)
for topping, use store bought or homemade (see notes section below for homemade recipe
Directions
Apple pie filling
- 1
Preheat oven to 350℉. Butter an 8-inch square pan. Line the pan with a large strip of parchment paper. Leave an overhang on both sides of the parchment paper.
- 2
In a medium bowl, combine the apples with the rest of the apple filling ingredients. Stir gently with a spatula til mixture is well combined and the apple slices are all coated with the mixture. Set aside.
Crust and topping
- 1
In a large bowl, stir to combine the flour, oats, brown sugar, cinnamon salt and baking powder.
- 2
Add the cubed butter. Stir or mix together with your hands.
- 3
Spoon half of the mixture into the pan. Press it firmly in the bottom of the pan.
- 4
Spread the apple filling over the crisp layer. Sprinkle the remainder of the crisp topping over the apple layer. Press lightly to make sure it's in place.
- 5
Bake 30-35 minutes or until the top is golden brown.
- 6
Place the pan on a wire rack. Allow to cool completely, for at least 4 hours or overnight.
- 7
Cut into squares. Drizzle each square with homemade or storebought salted caramel sauce. Enjoy!
Salted Caramel Apple Pie Bars
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About this Recipe
Craving the comforting flavors of apple pie but want something easier to share and eat on the go? These Salted Caramel Apple Pie Bars deliver all that nostalgic goodness with a rich, buttery twist, perfect for any occasion.
Why These Bars Work
The genius behind these bars is using a single oat mixture for both the tender crust and the delightful crumb topping, creating a harmonious texture that holds up beautifully. Tucked inside is a luscious, gooey apple filling, perfectly spiced with cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice, brightened with lemon, all crowned with a decadent salted caramel drizzle.
What to Expect
With every bite, you'll be treated to a soft, chewy oat bar experience. The spiced apple filling, featuring thinly sliced apples, melts in your mouth, balanced by the hearty texture of the oats. The sweet and tangy apple layers marry beautifully with the rich, buttery base and the final flourish of salty-sweet caramel, creating an irresistible dessert that's utterly satisfying.
Customization & Variations
While the recipe calls for old-fashioned or quick-cooking oats (not instant), you can experiment with different apple varieties. For instance, a mix of Granny Smith for tartness and Honeycrisp for sweetness works wonderfully. And for that essential salted caramel topping, feel free to use your favorite store-bought sauce or follow the recipe's homemade caramel instructions for an extra personal touch.
Serving & Context
These delightful Salted Caramel Apple Pie Bars are perfect for potlucks, family gatherings, or simply as a comforting after-dinner treat. They pair wonderfully with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream or a warm cup of coffee.