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    Home » Dessert » Bar

    Salted Caramel Apple Bars

    Published: Sep 20, 2020 · by Elizabeth Waterson · This post may contain affiliate links, which may pay me a small commission for my referral at no extra cost to you! Thank you for supporting Confessions of a Baking Queen!

    154 shares
    Jump to Recipe
    two salted caramel apple pie bars on top of each other on a white surface

    Rich brown sugar shortbread base is topped with tart apples and a brown sugar oat crumble topping. Then drenched in homemade salted caramel, these Salted Caramel Apple Bars are irresistible! 

    three salted caramel apple pie bars on top of each other with caramel dripping down on a white surface

    So I know this is kind of a late post. Like its more of a "fall" type dessert and we are in "winter" but in Southern California, we don't really have seasons. So I tend to eat lemon bars in fall and caramel apple bars in winter.

    Caramel and apples are two of my all-time favorite flavors. It's a classic and goes back to eating caramel apples as a kid for me.

    And then when you add a shortbread crust and an oaty brown sugary crumble, well I kind of die. And while these are bars and you do not need ice cream, sometimes I like things over the top. Because let's be honest, everything is better a la mode.

    salted caramel apple pie bars with ice cream half eaten on a plate on a stack of white background

    Let's get to the recipe.

    Jump to:
    • What are the ingredients
    • How do you make them
    • More apple recipes
    • Recipe Card
    • Recipe Ratings & Comments
    salted caramel apple bar on a black wrie rack with oozing caramel on a white background surface

    What are the ingredients

    To make the crust you'll use ⅔ of the batter but the remaining ⅓ of the batter you'll add a few things to make it a crumble. You'll need:

    • All-Purpose Flour/ Plain Flour
    • Brown Sugar
    • Salt
    • Unsalted Butter, cold and diced
    • Oats, Old Fashioned or Quick-Cooking
    • Ground Cinnamon, Cloves and Allspice

    For the apple pie filling, you'll need:

    • Granny Smith Apples, sliced into ¼" pieces (4 Cups Sliced Apples). I use an apple slicer and corer for even slices.
    • All-Purpose Flour/ Plain Flour
    • Brown Sugar
    • Ground Cinnamon, Cloves and Allspice. You can use another selection of spices if you don't like those.

    Now, these wouldn't be salted caramel apple bars without salted caramel!

    • Homemade Salted Caramel or store-bought. I have an easy recipe with step-by-step photos. You can make this salted caramel recipe up to two weeks in advance.

    How do you make them

    Preheat 350F/180C and line an 8"X8" pan with foil, so the foil hangs over the sides of the pan. Grease the pan and set aside.

    In a large bowl combine the flour, salt, and sugar.

    flour, sugar mixed with butter for a shortbread crust on a white background

    Using clean hands rub in the cold butter. Rub together with your fingers or a pastry blender.

    butter added to sugar flour mixture in a glass bowl on a white background with a striped blue and white linen

    Once combined press ⅔ of the mixture into prepared pan.

    shortbread crust mixed by hand in a glass bowl on a white background

    Use your hands to press into an even layer. 

    shortbread crust pressed into a foil lined pan on a white background

    Bake for 12-15 minutes, until set and lightly golden brown. Prepare remaining parts while the crust bakes.

    Add the oats, cinnamon, cloves, and allspice to the remaining shortbread mixture. Use your hands to rub everything together. Place the bowl into the fridge while you prepare the filling. 

    crumble mixture in a glass bowl on a white background with a white and blue striped linen

    Peel and slice the apples, I use an apple corer and slicer to make even apple slices.

    bowl full of peeled and sliced granny smith apples on a white background

    In a large bowl place sliced apples, flour, brown sugar, and spices together.

    apple slices with sugar and spices in a metal bowl on a white background

    Place in the fridge while the crust finishes baking. 

    When the crust is baked let it cool for 5 minutes then place sliced apples in an even layer on top of the crust.

    apple pie bars in an pan unbaked on a wire rack on a white background

    Finally, sprinkle the crumble on top. Bake for 30-35 minutes, the top should be golden brown and the apples bubbling. The internal temperature should be 175F/80C.

    apple pie crumble bars in a foil lined baking pan on a wire rack on a white background

    Let the bars cool in the pan on the counter for 30 minutes then in the fridge for two hours. They need ample time to cool so that the apple filling sets up properly.

    When ready to serve drizzle salted caramel all over the top. Don't be shy, everyone loves caramel!!

    spoon drizzle salted caramel on an apple pie bar on two white plates on a white background with a cup of tea and more caramel in a clear jar

    Store any leftovers in an air-tight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.

    two salted caramel apple pie bars on top of each other on a white background with a caramel spoon in front and with a cup of tea and more caramel in a clear jar in the background

    Don't forget to treat yourself for making some of the most delicious bars everrrr!!

    More apple recipes

    My caramel apple cheesecake recipe is seriously a fall dream.

    This Dutch Apple Pie is the part pie part crumble, you'll love it!

    My friend Ari's Apple Cinnamon Bundt Cake is a winner, too!

    ice cream on top of a salted caramel apple pie bar on a white plate on a white background

    ★★★★★ Please let me know if you make this recipe by leaving a star rating and comment below!

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    Recipe Card

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    three salted caramel apple pie bars on top of each other with caramel dripping down on a white surface

    Salted Caramel Apple Bars

    ★★★★★

    5 from 2 reviews

    Print Recipe
    Pin Recipe

    Rich brown sugar shortbread base is topped with tart apples, salted caramel, and a brown sugar oat crumble topping. Then drenched in homemade salted caramel these Salted Caramel Apple Bars are irresistible! 

    • Total Time: 1 hour 13 minutes
    • Yield: 9 Servings 1x

    Ingredients

    Units Scale

    Crust

    • 188 grams (1 ½ Cup) All-Purpose Flour/ Plain Flour
    • 150 grams (¾ Cup) Brown Sugar
    • ½ Teaspoon Salt
    • 6oz (1 ½ Sticks) Unsalted Butter, cold and diced

    Crumble Topping

    • 50 grams (½ Cup) Oats, Old Fashioned or Quick-Cooking
    • ¼ Teaspoon Ground Cinnamon
    • ⅛ Teaspoon Ground Cloves and Ground Allspice

    Filling

    • 3 Medium Granny Smith Apples, sliced into ¼" pieces (4 Cups Sliced Apples)
    • 31 grams (¼ Cup) All-Purpose Flour/ Plain Flour
    • 50 grams (¼ Cup) Brown Sugar
    • ½ Teaspoon Ground Cinnamon
    • ¼ Teaspoon Ground Cloves
    • ¼ Teaspoon Ground Allspice

    Topping

    • Homemade Salted Caramel or store-bought
    • Ice Cream

    Instructions

    Crust

    1. Preheat 350F/180C and line an 8"X8" pan with foil, so the foil hangs over the sides of the pan. Grease the pan and set aside.
    2. In a large bowl combine the flour, salt, and sugar. Using clean hands rub in the cold butter. Rub together with your fingers or a pastry blender. Once combined press ⅔ of the mixture into prepared pan. Use your hands to press into an even layer. Bake for 12-15 minutes, until set and lightly golden brown. Prepare remaining parts while the crust bakes.

    Crumble Topping

    1. Add the oats, cinnamon, cloves, and all spice to the remaining shortbread mixture. Use your hands to rub everything together. Place the bowl into the fridge while you prepare the filling. 

    Apple Filling

    1. In a large bowl place sliced apples, flour, brown sugar, and spices together. Place in the fridge while the crust finishes baking. 

    Assembly

    1. When the crust is baked let it cool for 5 minutes then place sliced apples in an even layer on top of the crust then sprinkle the crumble on top. Bake for 30-35 minutes, the top should be golden brown and the apples bubbling. The internal temperature should be 175F/80C.
    2. Let the bars cool in the pan on the counter for 30 minutes then in the fridge for two hours. They need ample time to cool so that the apple filling sets up properly.
    3. When ready to serve drizzle salted caramel all over the top. Store any leftovers in an air-tight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.

    Equipment

    fat daddios 8 inch square cake pan

    8 Inch Square Baking Pan

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    kitchen aid cordless hand mixer

    Cordless Hand Mixer

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    oxo food scale

    OXO Kitchen Scale

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    • Author: Elizabeth Waterson I Confessions of a Baking Queen
    • Prep Time: 20 Minutes
    • Cook Time: 53 Minutes
    • Category: Dessert
    • Method: Baking
    • Cuisine: American

    Keywords: apple pie bars, apple crumble bars, caramel apple bars

    Did you make this recipe?

    Tag @confessionsofabakingqueen on Instagram and hashtag it #cbqbakes

    Recipe Card powered byTasty Recipes

    This post was originally published on December 12, 2015. As of December 1, 2019, the photos, text, and recipe have been updated.

    I miss blogging. My job keeps me SOO busy. And this time of year is the best time of year, it is also the craziest time of the year. We have so many people calling in for last-minute reservations, and of course, it's 40 people, coming in tomorrow. We also have the Dickens Christmas Carolers coming in, they carol at Disneyland, they are sooo expensive but so amazing!!

    My new year's resolution is to get back into the swing of things. And I am trying to start that new year resolution now, with these Salted Caramel Apple Bars!

    Salted Caramel Apple Bars stacked on top of each other on a white plate with a green rim with apples in the background all on a wood surface
    • Upside Down Salted Carmel Apple Pie
    • Red Velvet Salted Caramel Cupcakes
    • Salted Caramel Creme Brûlée
    « Nutella Swirled Pumpkin Bread
    Pumpkin Cheesecake Brownies »

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    1. Rachel says

      September 24, 2020 at 9:29 pm

      Wow, this recipe is so amazing, I have this on my fall recipe rotation.

      10 out of 10 recommend.

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    2. Heather Roberts says

      November 30, 2021 at 6:24 am

      I made this for Thanksgiving and I was so easy to make. It’s not an expensive recipe either. This was one of the very best desserts we had. This will be my all-time go to recipe for Thanksgiving from now on. AMAZING AND DELICIOUS ❤️

      ★★★★★

      Reply

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    Waterson, Elizabeth Cropped Size Photo CAke copy 2

    Hiya! I am Elizabeth Waterson, welcome to my treat-filled site. After spending 15 years in the restaurant industry and growing up baking, I wanted to share my love of baking with you all. My step-by-step tutorials will help you learn how to bake at home. Confessions of a Baking Queen (CBQ) has been featured in CBS LA, HuffPost Taste, BuzzFeed, Taste of Home, and more! Here you will find loads of sweet recipes with a few savory ones for good measure. Feel free to message me with any questions! Happy Baking! 

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    Waterson, Elizabeth Cropped Size Photo CAke copy 2

    Hiya! I am Elizabeth Waterson, welcome to my treat-filled site. After spending 15 years in the restaurant industry and growing up baking, I wanted to share my love of baking with you all. My step-by-step tutorials will help you learn how to bake at home. Confessions of a Baking Queen (CBQ) has been featured in CBS LA, HuffPost Taste, BuzzFeed, Taste of Home, and more! Here you will find loads of sweet recipes with a few savory ones for good measure. Feel free to message me with any questions! Happy Baking! 

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