Salted Caramel Apple Pie Bars Recipe

If you're craving the flavors of a classic apple pie but want something a little more portable and easy to serve, Salted Caramel Apple Pie Bars are your answer. These bars combine all the best elements of an apple pie—tender apples, warm spices, buttery crust—with the added indulgence of salted caramel. Whether you're planning for a holiday dessert, a bake sale, or just an afternoon treat, these bars are perfect for every occasion. Plus, they’re easier to make than a traditional pie! Let’s dive into the details and learn how to make these irresistible bars.

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What Are Salted Caramel Apple Pie Bars?

Salted Caramel Apple Pie Bars are a layered dessert featuring a buttery shortbread crust, a spiced apple filling, and a crumbly streusel topping, all drizzled with salted caramel sauce. These bars capture the flavors of a traditional apple pie in a bar form, which makes them easier to serve and share. The salty-sweet caramel drizzle perfectly complements the spiced apple filling, making each bite a delightful balance of flavors and textures.

Ingredients List for the Crust

• 2 cups all-purpose flour: Forms the base of the shortbread crust, giving it a sturdy but tender texture.
• ½ cup granulated sugar: Sweetens the crust slightly.
• ½ teaspoon salt: Balances the sweetness.
• 1 cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed: Provides richness and helps form that perfect buttery shortbread base.

Ingredients List for the Apple Filling

• 4 medium Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored, and thinly sliced: Their tartness balances the sweetness of the caramel and sugar.
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour: Helps thicken the apple filling.
• ¼ cup granulated sugar: Adds sweetness to the apples.
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon: Adds that classic, warm fall spice.
• ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg: Complements the cinnamon and enhances the apple flavor.
• Pinch of salt: Balances out the sweetness and intensifies the flavors.

Ingredients List for the Streusel Topping

• ¾ cup all-purpose flour: Gives the streusel its crumbly texture.
• ½ cup old-fashioned oats: Adds a hearty texture to the topping.
• ⅓ cup brown sugar, packed: Adds sweetness and a hint of molasses flavor.
• ¼ cup granulated sugar: Balances the brown sugar.
• ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon: Adds warmth to the topping.
• ½ cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed: Helps create a crumbly, buttery topping.

Ingredients List for the Salted Caramel Sauce

• 1 cup granulated sugar: The base for the caramel sauce.
• ¼ cup water: Helps the sugar dissolve and caramelize evenly.
• ½ cup heavy cream: Adds richness and creaminess to the caramel.
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter: Makes the caramel sauce silky and smooth.
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract: Adds warmth and enhances the caramel flavor.
• 1 teaspoon sea salt: Balances the sweetness and gives the caramel its signature salted flavor.

Substitutions and Variations

Want to tweak the recipe or swap ingredients to suit your preferences? Here are some ideas:

• Apples: Granny Smith apples are recommended for their tartness, but you can also use Honeycrisp, Gala, or Fuji for a sweeter flavor.
• Spices: You can add other warm spices like allspice or cloves to the filling for extra depth of flavor. A pinch of cardamom would also be a nice touch.
• Gluten-Free: Substitute all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend that includes xanthan gum. Ensure that your oats are certified gluten-free.
• Nuts: Add chopped pecans or walnuts to the streusel for an extra crunch.
• Store-bought caramel: If you're short on time, you can use a store-bought salted caramel sauce instead of making your own.

Step-by-Step Cooking Instructions

1. Prepare the Crust

• Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease or line a 9x13-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the sides for easy removal.
• Mix the crust ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, granulated sugar, and salt. Cut in the cold cubed butter using a pastry cutter or your fingers until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
• Press the mixture firmly into the prepared baking pan, forming an even layer.
• Bake the crust for 15-18 minutes, or until it's lightly golden around the edges. Remove from the oven and let it cool slightly while you prepare the filling and topping.

2. Make the Apple Filling

• Toss the apples: In a large bowl, toss the peeled and sliced apples with the flour, granulated sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and a pinch of salt until evenly coated.
• Set aside: Let the apples sit for a few minutes while you prepare the streusel topping, allowing the flavors to meld together.

3. Prepare the Streusel Topping

• Combine the dry ingredients: In a medium bowl, stir together the flour, oats, brown sugar, granulated sugar, and cinnamon.
• Cut in the butter: Add the cold cubed butter and use a pastry cutter or your fingers to mix until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. The streusel should be crumbly but hold together when pressed.

4. Assemble the Bars

• Layer the apples: Spread the apple filling evenly over the pre-baked crust, arranging the slices so they’re evenly distributed.
• Top with streusel: Sprinkle the streusel topping over the apple layer, ensuring the apples are fully covered.
• Bake: Return the pan to the oven and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the apples are tender and the streusel is golden brown.

5. Make the Salted Caramel Sauce

• Melt the sugar: While the bars are baking, prepare the caramel sauce. In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine the sugar and water. Cook, without stirring, until the sugar dissolves and turns a deep amber color, about 8-10 minutes.
• Add the cream and butter: Once the sugar has caramelized, carefully whisk in the heavy cream and butter. The mixture will bubble vigorously, so add the cream slowly while stirring constantly.
• Add vanilla and salt: Remove the pan from heat, stir in the vanilla extract and sea salt, and let the caramel sauce cool slightly.

6. Drizzle and Serve

• Cool the bars: Once the bars are baked, remove them from the oven and allow them to cool completely in the pan.
• Drizzle with salted caramel: Once the bars are cool, drizzle the salted caramel sauce generously over the top. You can reserve some extra caramel for serving.
• Cut into squares: Lift the bars out of the pan using the parchment overhang and cut them into squares or rectangles for serving.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Overbaking the crust: Be careful not to overbake the crust initially. It should be lightly golden, not fully browned, as it will continue to bake with the apple filling.
• Not cutting in the butter properly: Make sure the butter is cut into the crust and streusel mixture thoroughly. If the butter is too large, the crust and topping won’t hold together well.
• Burning the caramel: Caramel can burn quickly, so keep a close eye on it. Once the sugar turns amber, immediately remove it from heat and whisk in the cream and butter.

Serving and Presentation Tips

Presentation matters when it comes to these beautiful bars, especially if you're serving them for a special occasion!

How to Serve Salted Caramel Apple Pie Bars

• Room temperature or slightly warmed: These bars are delicious at room temperature, but you can also serve them slightly warmed for extra gooeyness.
• Serve with ice cream: Pair a bar with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a truly indulgent treat. The warm spices and salted caramel complement the creamy, cold ice cream perfectly.
• Drizzle extra caramel: For an extra indulgent presentation, drizzle more caramel sauce over the bars just before serving. A sprinkle of sea salt on top enhances the salty-sweet contrast.

Presentation Ideas for Salted Caramel Apple Pie Bars

• Rustic drizzle: Let the caramel sauce drip in an organic, rustic fashion over the bars. It gives a homemade, cozy vibe.
• Apple fan garnish: Garnish with thinly sliced apple fans on top of each bar for a pop of color and a nod to the apple filling.
• Sprinkle of sea salt: For a gourmet touch, add a light sprinkle of flaky sea salt on top of the caramel drizzle.

Salted Caramel Apple Pie Bars Recipe Tips

• Room temperature ingredients: For the best results, make sure your butter and cream cheese (if using in the streusel) are cold, while eggs and other wet ingredients are at room temperature.
• Chill before cutting: If you want clean, neat slices, refrigerate the bars for about an hour before cutting. This will make them easier to slice and serve.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Can I freeze Salted Caramel Apple Pie Bars?
Yes! These bars freeze well.

After baking, allow them to cool completely, then wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and store in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight and drizzle with fresh caramel before serving.

2. How long do these bars last?
Stored in an airtight container, the bars will last for up to 4 days in the refrigerator. You can also leave them at room temperature for up to 2 days, but the caramel might start to soften too much.

3. Can I use store-bought caramel?
Absolutely! If you're short on time, you can use a good-quality store-bought salted caramel sauce. Just be sure to drizzle it over the bars after they’ve cooled completely.

4. Can I make these bars ahead of time?
Yes! These bars are a great make-ahead dessert. You can prepare and bake them a day in advance, drizzle with caramel, and store them in the fridge until you're ready to serve.

Conclusion

Salted Caramel Apple Pie Bars are the ultimate fall dessert—packed with warm spices, tender apples, and topped with buttery streusel and salted caramel. They’re easier to make and serve than a traditional apple pie, and their flavors are just as comforting and indulgent. Whether you’re hosting a fall gathering or just craving something sweet, these bars are sure to impress. Try this recipe today and enjoy the cozy, irresistible flavors of autumn!

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