Description
These delightful apple crumble bars marry the crisp, tart bite of Granny Smith apples with a buttery, biscuit-like shortbread base and a generous crumble topping. Finished with a homemade ribbons of rich, velvety salted caramel, they are the perfect handheld treat for gatherings. Whether for a school lunchbox or a cozy weekend tea, these bars offer a warm, spiced comfort that deepens in flavor overnight, making them a reliable and sophisticated dessert that everyone will adore.
Ingredients
4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 cup granulated sugar
1 pinch sea salt
1 cup cold butter, cubed
2 large eggs
2 to 3 tablespoons ice water
8 Granny Smith apples, peeled and cubed
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1.5 cups granulated sugar (for caramel)
0.5 cup butter (for caramel)
0.5 cup heavy cream (for caramel)
1 tablespoon sea salt flakes
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking pan with parchment paper.
Whisk flour, baking powder, sugar, and salt in a large bowl.
Cut in the cold cubed butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
Stir in eggs and ice water until the dough just comes together, reserving about 1/3 for the topping.
Press the remaining dough into the prepared pan to form a firm base.
In a separate bowl, toss apple cubes with brown sugar, vanilla, and cinnamon.
Spread the apple mixture evenly over the base.
Crumble the reserved dough over the apples.
Bake for 40-45 minutes until the fruit is tender and the topping is golden.
While baking, melt the 1.5 cups sugar in a pan until amber, stir in 1/2 cup butter and heavy cream until smooth.
Cool the bars slightly, then drizzle with the salted caramel and sprinkle with sea salt flakes before serving.
Notes
Store bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for up to 5 days. For the best texture, allow the bars to set completely before cutting.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 28g
- Sodium: 210mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Carbohydrates: 46g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 55mg