Irresistible Salted Caramel Apple Pie Bars Recipe For Fall

Sweet memories of autumn dance through my favorite salted caramel apple pie bars, promising pure comfort in every delectable bite.

Crisp apples nestled between buttery layers unlock childhood nostalgia with sophisticated flavor.

Crunchy graham cracker crusts create a golden foundation for luscious caramel swirls.

Hints of cinnamon and sea salt weave magic into each incredible slice.

Warm spices whisper promises of cozy afternoons and delightful indulgence.

Baking these bars connects you to generations of home cooks who understand true culinary love.

Savor each moment and let these irresistible bars become your new seasonal tradition.

Salted Caramel Apple Pie Bars That Crumble And Melt

• Crowd-Pleasing Dessert: Effortlessly impresses family and friends with layers of buttery crust, spiced apples, and luxurious salted caramel that everyone craves.
• Quick and Easy Preparation: Takes less than an hour to create, with simple ingredients and straightforward steps that even novice bakers can master without stress.
• Perfect Seasonal Comfort: Captures autumn's warmth with cinnamon-spiced apples and rich caramel, making it an ideal treat for cool evenings and holiday gatherings.
• Versatile Serving Option: Transforms from a decadent dessert to a delightful breakfast pastry, equally stunning when served warm or at room temperature with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

Apple Pie Bars With Salted Caramel Blend

• All-Purpose Flour: Base for the buttery, crumbly crust that holds the pie bars together.
• Granulated Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps create a golden-brown crust.
• Unsalted Butter: Provides rich flavor and creates a tender, flaky texture.
• Salt: Enhances the overall flavor of the crust.

• Apples: Tart and sweet fruit that forms the core of the dessert, best when using firm varieties like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp.
• Brown Sugar: Adds deep, molasses-like sweetness and helps caramelize the apple filling.
• Ground Cinnamon, Ground Nutmeg: Warm, aromatic spices that complement the apple flavor.
• Cornstarch: Helps thicken the apple filling and prevent excess liquid.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds depth and rounds out the apple spice flavors.

• Salted Caramel Sauce: Provides a rich, indulgent drizzle that elevates the dessert.
• Sea Salt: Sprinkled on top to enhance the sweet and salty contrast.

Salted Caramel Apple Pie Bars Steps

Step 1: Prepare Spiced Apple Filling

Wash and slice fresh apples into thin, uniform pieces.

• Brown sugar
• Ground cinnamon
• Ground nutmeg
• Cornstarch

Gently toss the ingredients until the apple slices are completely coated with the sweet and aromatic mixture.

Step 2: Layer Apples on Crust

Spread the seasoned apple slices evenly over the pre-baked shortbread crust, ensuring complete coverage and a consistent layer of fruit.

Step 3: Bake to Perfection

Return the baking dish to the oven and continue baking at 350°F for 30-35 minutes.

The apples should become tender and slightly caramelized, with the edges bubbling softly.

Step 4: Create Salted Caramel Topping

Once the bars have cooled completely, drizzle homemade or store-bought salted caramel sauce generously across the surface.

Sprinkle flaky sea salt over the caramel for a delightful sweet-and-salty finish.

Step 5: Slice and Serve

Cut the cooled bars into neat squares, revealing the beautiful layers of buttery crust and spiced apple filling.

Serve at room temperature for the best flavor and texture.

How Pros Build Layers In Apple Pie Bars

• Ensure the bottom crust is fully baked and golden before adding apple filling to maintain a crisp texture.
• Use firm, tart apples like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp that hold their shape and provide a perfect balance of sweetness and acidity.
• Toss apples with cornstarch to absorb excess moisture, creating a thick, glossy filling that won't make the bars watery.
• The sea salt sprinkle isn't just for decoration – it intensifies the caramel's richness and brings out the dessert's complex flavor profile.
• Prepare bars a day in advance and store in an airtight container at room temperature to let flavors meld and develop deeper taste.

Caramel Apple Pie Bars How To Store And Reheat Easily

• Store leftover bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Cover the container tightly to prevent moisture loss and maintain freshness.
• Wrap individual bars in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe bag. Freeze for up to 3 months for longer storage.
• Warm refrigerated or thawed bars in the microwave for 15-20 seconds. For a crispier crust, use the oven at 350°F for 5-7 minutes.
• Let frozen bars thaw at room temperature for 30 minutes before enjoying. Drizzle extra caramel sauce if desired.

Flavors to Enjoy With Apple Pie Bars

• Savor Sweet Bourbon: Pair these decadent apple pie bars with a smooth bourbon like Maker's Mark, enhancing the caramel's rich undertones and complementing the warm spices.
• Craft Cider Companion: Select a crisp, artisanal hard apple cider from local producers to mirror the dessert's fruity profile and provide a refreshing counterpoint to the sweet, buttery crust.
• Vanilla Ice Cream Indulgence: Top the bars with a scoop of premium vanilla bean ice cream, creating a luxurious contrast between the warm, spiced apples and the cool, creamy texture.
• Spiced Chai Tea Delight: Brew a hot, aromatic chai tea with hints of cinnamon and cardamom, offering a warming beverage that echoes the pie bars' seasonal spice notes.

Salted Caramel Apple Bars Makeovers

• Gluten-Free Delight: Replace wheat flour with almond or oat flour for a celiac-friendly version. Use gluten-free baking mix to maintain the crust's texture and taste.
• Vegan Adaptation: Swap butter with coconut oil or vegan margarine. Use maple syrup instead of caramel sauce and substitute regular sugar with coconut sugar for a plant-based alternative.
• Keto-Friendly Option: Use low-carb almond flour for the crust. Replace apples with zucchini or chayote squash to reduce carbohydrates. Utilize sugar-free caramel sweetener and add chopped pecans for extra crunch.
• Dairy-Free Alternative: Use coconut oil instead of butter. Select a dairy-free caramel sauce made from plant-based ingredients like coconut milk and alternative sweeteners.

FAQs

• What type of apples work best for this recipe?

Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or Braeburn apples are ideal because they hold their shape and provide a nice balance of tartness and sweetness when baked.

• Can I make this recipe gluten-free?

Yes, simply substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend that’s designed for baking to maintain the same texture and consistency.

• How do I know when the apple layer is properly cooked?

The apples should be tender when pierced with a fork and have a slightly golden edges, which typically takes about 30-35 minutes in the oven at 350°F.

• Is it necessary to use sea salt in the caramel drizzle?

While not mandatory, sea salt enhances the caramel’s flavor by creating a delicious sweet-salty contrast that elevates the entire dessert’s taste profile.

Salted Caramel Apple Pie Bars Recipe

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4.9 from 24 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Delightful Salted Caramel Apple Pie Bars merge classic autumn flavors with irresistible sweetness. Buttery crumble, tender spiced apples, and rich caramel create a dessert that will make fall gatherings truly memorable.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter
• 4 large apples (peeled and diced)

Spices and Enhancers:

• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Topping Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup salted caramel sauce
• 1 pinch sea salt (for sprinkling)

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Instructions

1. Prepare the oven environment by heating to 350°F and lining a rectangular baking dish with parchment paper, ensuring complete coverage of the bottom and sides.
2. Create a buttery base crust by blending flour, sugar, and melted butter until a cohesive, crumbly texture forms. Gently press the mixture evenly into the prepared dish, compacting it firmly with fingertips.
3. Bake the foundational crust for approximately 15 minutes until edges turn slightly golden, then remove and allow to cool momentarily.
4. Prepare the apple filling by combining sliced apples with brown sugar, ground cinnamon, nutmeg, and cornstarch, ensuring each apple piece is thoroughly coated with the aromatic spice mixture.
5. Distribute the seasoned apple mixture uniformly across the pre-baked crust, creating an even layer that covers the entire surface.
6. Return the baking dish to the oven and continue baking for 30-35 minutes, monitoring until the apples become tender and the top develops a gentle golden-brown appearance.
7. Once removed from the oven, allow the dessert to cool completely at room temperature, which helps the filling set and stabilize.
8. Enhance the flavor profile by elegantly drizzling salted caramel sauce across the surface, creating delicate swirls and patterns.
9. Finish the dessert by sprinkling a delicate layer of sea salt over the caramel, providing a sophisticated contrast of sweet and savory notes.

Notes

• Customize the crust by swapping some all-purpose flour with almond or oat flour for a gluten-free alternative.
• Slice apples uniformly to ensure even cooking and consistent texture throughout the bars.
• Use tart apples like Granny Smith for a balanced sweetness that complements the rich caramel sauce.
• Make extra caramel sauce and store in the refrigerator to drizzle over future desserts or morning pancakes.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 45 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 210
• Sugar: 12 g
• Sodium: 150 mg
• Fat: 8 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 32 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 2 g
• Cholesterol: 20 mg