Salted Caramel Apple Crumble Bars Recipe

Why Make This Recipe

Salted Caramel Apple Crumble Bars are a delightful treat that combines the warm flavors of apples and spices with the rich taste of salted caramel. They are perfect for gatherings, potlucks, or simply enjoying at home. The combination of textures—from the crumbly base to the soft apples and gooey caramel—creates a comforting dessert that everyone will love.

How to Make Salted Caramel Apple Crumble Bars

Ingredients

• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, melted
• 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 3 cups peeled and thinly sliced apples (about 3 medium apples)
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/2 cup salted caramel sauce (homemade or store-bought)

Directions

1. Set your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a 9×13 inch baking pan with parchment paper to make removal easier.
2. In a large bowl, mix together the melted butter, granulated sugar, vanilla extract, and salt until smooth.
3. Stir in the flour and mix until the texture becomes crumbly, which will be used for both the base and topping.
4. Press about two-thirds of the crumbly mixture into the bottom of the prepared baking pan to form the crust.
5. In a separate bowl, toss the thinly sliced apples with ground cinnamon and nutmeg to coat them evenly.
6. Spread the seasoned apple mixture evenly over the crust in the pan.
7. Drizzle the salted caramel sauce over the layer of apples to add rich flavor.
8. Sprinkle the remaining third of the crumb mixture on top of the caramel and apples for a crunchy topping.
9. Bake in the preheated oven for 40-45 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the apples are tender.
10. Let the bars cool completely in the pan. After cooling, cut them into 24 bars and serve.

How to Serve Salted Caramel Apple Crumble Bars

These bars can be served warm or at room temperature. They are delicious on their own but can also be enjoyed with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream. A light drizzle of extra salted caramel sauce on top can make them even more indulgent.

How to Store Salted Caramel Apple Crumble Bars

Store the bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. If you want to keep them longer, you can refrigerate them for up to a week. To maintain their freshness, you can also freeze the bars for up to 3 months. Just ensure they are wrapped well.

Tips to Make Salted Caramel Apple Crumble Bars

• Use a mix of sweet and tart apples for depth of flavor. Varieties like Granny Smith and Honeycrisp work well together.
• If you want to reduce the sweetness, you can decrease the amount of caramel sauce used.
• Make sure to let the bars cool fully before cutting to ensure neat pieces.

Variation

You can add nuts, such as walnuts or pecans, to the crumb mixture for added crunch. Another variation is to use different fruits like pears or berries along with the apples.

FAQs

1. Can I use store-bought caramel sauce?
   Yes, store-bought salted caramel sauce works great in this recipe and saves preparation time.

2. Can I make these bars gluten-free?
   Yes, you can use a gluten-free flour blend in place of all-purpose flour.

3. How do I know when the bars are done baking?
   The bars are done when the topping is golden brown and the apples are tender. You can also check by inserting a toothpick into the center; it should come out clean.

Salted Caramel Apple Crumble Bars Recipe

Indulge in these delightful salted caramel apple crumble bars, featuring a buttery crust, sweet apple filling, and a crunchy crumble topping, all drizzled with a rich caramel sauce.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 30 minutes mins

Cook Time 45 minutes mins

Total Time 1 hour hr 15 minutes mins

Servings: 12 bars

Calories: 350

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

Crumble/Crust

• 2 cups All-purpose flour
• 1 cup Rolled oats
• 1/2 cup Brown sugar
• 1/4 cup Granulated sugar
• 1/2 tsp Salt
• 1 cup Unsalted butter (2 sticks), cold, cubed

Apple Filling

• 4 medium Apples peeled, cored, and diced
• 1 tbsp Lemon juice
• 1/4 cup Granulated sugar
• 1 tsp Cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp Nutmeg
• 1 tbsp Cornstarch

Salted Caramel

• 1 cup Granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup Water
• 1/2 cup Heavy cream warm
• 2 tbsp Unsalted butter
• 1/2 tsp Salt (flaky sea salt for finishing)

Equipment

• 9x13 inch baking pan
• Large mixing bowls
• Parchment paper
• Saucepan
• Whisk

Method

 

Preparation

1. To prepare the crumble, combine flour, oats, sugars, and salt in a large bowl. Cut in the cold butter until the mixture is crumbly, then press half of it into a parchment-lined 9x13 inch baking pan for the crust.
2. For the apple filling, toss the diced apples with lemon juice, sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cornstarch. Spread this mixture evenly over the prepared crust.
3. Sprinkle the remaining crumble mixture over the apple filling. Bake in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) for 45-50 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the apples are tender.
4. While the bars bake or cool, prepare the salted caramel. Cook granulated sugar and water in a saucepan over medium heat until it turns an amber color. Carefully whisk in the warm heavy cream and butter, then stir in the salt.
5. Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan before drizzling with the salted caramel sauce. Once cooled and drizzled, cut into squares and serve.

Notes

For best results, use a mix of sweet and tart apples like Honeycrisp and Granny Smith. Ensure the caramel sauce is cooled slightly before drizzling to prevent it from soaking too much into the crumble.