Name: Salted Caramel Apple Pie Bars
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 65 min
Ingredients: 5 medium medium apples, sliced between 1/8" and 1/4" thick (744 grams sliced); 1 tbsp lemon juice; 3 tbsp all-purpose flour (21 grams); 1/3 cup light brown sugar, packed (73 grams); 1 tbsp cinnamon (7 grams); 3/8 tsp nutmeg; 1/4 tsp allspice; 1/4 tsp ground cloves; pinch of salt; 1 and 1/2 cups salted butter, melted (340 grams, or 24 tbsp); 3 cups all-purpose flour, spooned & leveled or weighed out (390 grams); 2 cups old-fashioned whole rolled oats (195 grams); 1 and 1/2 cups light brown sugar, packed (330 grams); 1 and 1/2 tsp baking soda; 1 tsp cinnamon; 1/2 tsp salt; 1 cup granulated sugar (210 grams); 6 tbsp salted butter, cubed (85 grams); 1/2 cup heavy cream (135 grams) (Plus an extra 1 tbsp); pinch of fine sea salt

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Salted Caramel Apple Pie Bars are the ultimate indulgence for dessert lovers, combining the comfort of apple pie with the rich, buttery flavor of salted caramel. These bars are perfect for any occasion, whether you’re hosting a gathering, celebrating a special event, or simply craving a sweet treat at home. With a delectable apple filling enveloped in a buttery, oat-laden crust, and topped with a luscious salted caramel sauce, these bars are an irresistible dessert that will have everyone begging for the recipe!

Ingredients

5 medium apples, sliced between 1/8" and 1/4" thick (744 grams sliced)
1 tbsp lemon juice
3 tbsp all-purpose flour (21 grams)
1/3 cup light brown sugar, packed (73 grams)
1 tbsp cinnamon (7 grams)
3/8 tsp nutmeg
1/4 tsp allspice
1/4 tsp ground cloves
pinch of salt
1 and 1/2 cups salted butter, melted (340 grams, or 24 tbsp)
3 cups all-purpose flour, spooned & leveled or weighed out (390 grams)
2 cups old-fashioned whole rolled oats (195 grams)
1 and 1/2 cups light brown sugar, packed (330 grams)
1 and 1/2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup granulated sugar (210 grams)
6 tbsp salted butter, cubed (85 grams)
1/2 cup + 1 tbsp heavy cream (135 grams)
pinch of fine sea salt

Directions

Prep: Preheat your oven to 350℉ (180℃). Spray a 9×13 pan with nonstick spray and line with parchment paper, leaving enough overhang on the ends so you can lift the bars out for easy slicing later.

Prep the Apple Filling: In a medium bowl, toss together the sliced apples with lemon juice, 3 tbsp flour, 1/3 cup brown sugar, 1 tbsp cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, ground cloves, and a pinch of salt. Stir gently with a silicone spatula to avoid breaking up the apple slices. Make sure everything is well mixed and set aside.

Make the Crust/Topping: In a large bowl, melt the 1 and 1/2 cups of salted butter. Stir in the remaining bar ingredients: 3 cups flour, 2 cups oats, 1 and 1/2 cups brown sugar, 1 and 1/2 tsp baking soda, 1 tsp cinnamon, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1 cup granulated sugar.

Assemble: Reserve 2 cups (about 330 grams) of the crust mixture for the top of the bars. Press the rest of the mixture into your prepared pan. Give the apples another stir, then spoon them over the base in an even layer, leaving the excess liquid behind in the bowl. Sprinkle the reserved crust mixture on top.

Bake: Bake the bars for 38 to 45 minutes. The topping will be golden, and the apples should feel tender when pierced with a fork. While the bars bake, make the salted caramel sauce (refer to your preferred recipe). Allow the bars to cool on a wire rack for about 1-2 hours before slicing.

Serve & Store: When ready to serve, slice the bars and drizzle with salted caramel as desired. Store bars in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days, regardless of whether they have caramel on top. Any extra caramel should also be stored in an airtight container in the fridge. Use it on ice cream, pancakes, or other desserts!

Make-Ahead Tips: Caramel can be made up to 3 days ahead and refrigerated until ready to use. Microwave for 20-40 seconds to loosen. Bars can be made up to 1 day ahead, cooled at room temperature, and then refrigerated until ready to serve. They’re delicious warm, at room temperature, or cold!

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 45 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
Servings: 12-16 bars
Nutrition: Approx. 300 calories per bar

How to Serve

Serve your Salted Caramel Apple Pie Bars warm or at room temperature. Drizzle generous amounts of the homemade salted caramel sauce over the bars just before serving for a decadent touch. Pair them with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream for the perfect dessert experience. These bars also make for a delightful addition to any potluck or bake sale!

FAQs

1. Can I use different types of apples for this recipe?
Absolutely! A mix of tart and sweet apples, like Granny Smith and Honeycrisp, will create a delicious flavor balance in the filling.

2. How can I store these bars?
Store the bars in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days. They can also be frozen for longer storage; just make sure to wrap them tightly to avoid freezer burn.

3. What can I do with leftover caramel sauce?
Leftover salted caramel sauce is versatile! Use it as a topping for ice cream, pancakes, or drizzled over cheesecakes. It also makes a delightful addition to coffee or lattes!