Description
These Decadent Salted Caramel Apple Pie Bars offer all the comforting nostalgia of a classic lattice-crust apple pie in a convenient, handheld format. Featuring a buttery, forgiving shortbread crust, a layer of tender cinnamon-spiced apples, and a crisp, golden oaty streusel, these bars are finished with a rich drizzle of salted caramel. They are perfect for gatherings, potlucks, or simply savoring a quiet moment at home, delivering a beautiful harmony of textures and flavors that celebrate the essence of home-baked comfort.
Ingredients
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed
1/4 teaspoon salt
4 large Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored, and thinly sliced
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 cup rolled oats
1/2 cup light brown sugar, packed
1/3 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed
1/2 cup store-bought or homemade salted caramel sauce (alcohol-free)
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a 9×13 inch baking pan with parchment paper.
In a food processor or large bowl, combine the flour, 1/2 cup sugar, salt, and the cold butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
Press the dough firmly into the bottom of the prepared pan and bake for 15 minutes, then set aside to cool slightly.
In a bowl, toss the apple slices with 1/4 cup sugar and cinnamon until evenly coated, then layer them over the partially baked crust.
In a separate bowl, whisk together the oats, brown sugar, and flour, then cut in the remaining 1/4 cup of butter until crumbly.
Sprinkle the streusel mixture evenly over the apple layer.
Bake for 30 to 35 minutes or until the streusel is golden brown and the apples are tender.
Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan before drizzling generously with salted caramel sauce.
Slice into squares and serve.
Notes
Ensure the butter for the crust and streusel is cold, as this helps achieve the perfect crumbly, shortbread-like texture. If you prefer a thinner apple layer, cut the apples slightly thinner. You can store these bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days, or in the refrigerator for up to one week.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 240
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 110mg
- Fat: 11g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Carbohydrates: 34g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 30mg