Go Back
Here’s what you need for Salted Caramel Apple Pie Bars: - 2 cups all-purpose flour - 1 cup unsalted butter, softened - 1/2 cup granulated sugar - 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed - 1/2 teaspoon salt - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract - 2 large apples, peeled, cored, and diced - 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon - 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg - 1 tablespoon lemon juice - 1 cup salted caramel sauce (store-bought or homemade) - Flaky sea salt, for topping You can swap some ingredients if needed: - Use whole wheat flour for a nuttier taste. - Replace unsalted butter with coconut oil for a dairy-free option. - Brown sugar can be swapped with maple syrup or honey for a different flavor. - Any tart apple works well, like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp. - Instead of salted caramel, try chocolate sauce for a different treat. Gather these tools to make your bars: - 9x13 inch baking pan - Mixing bowls - Measuring cups and spoons - Whisk or electric mixer - Spatula for mixing - Knife and cutting board for apples - Oven for baking These ingredients and tools set the stage for a fun and tasty baking experience! You’ll love how easy it is to whip up these delicious bars. 1. First, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9x13 inch baking pan. 2. In a mixing bowl, combine 1 cup of softened unsalted butter, 1/2 cup granulated sugar, and 1/2 cup brown sugar. Mix until the mixture is light and fluffy. 3. Add 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract and mix until combined. 4. Gradually add 2 cups of all-purpose flour and 1/2 teaspoon of salt. Mix until a soft dough forms. Reserve 1 cup of this mixture for the crumble topping. 5. Press the remaining dough evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan. This will be your crust layer. 6. Bake the crust in the preheated oven for 15 minutes. This gives it a nice start. 7. While the crust is baking, prepare the apple filling. In a separate bowl, mix 2 large peeled, cored, and diced apples with 1 tablespoon of lemon juice, 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon, and 1/4 teaspoon of nutmeg. Toss until the apples are well-coated. 8. After 15 minutes, remove the crust from the oven. 9. Spread the apple mixture evenly over the crust. Drizzle half of the 1 cup of salted caramel sauce over the apples. 10. Crumble the reserved dough over the apple layer to create the topping. 11. Bake the assembled bars for another 25-30 minutes until the topping is golden brown. 12. Once baked, take them out and let them cool for at least 30 minutes. 13. Drizzle the remaining salted caramel sauce over the top and sprinkle with flaky sea salt. 14. Cut into bars, serve, and enjoy! To achieve a perfect crust, start with cold butter. Cut it into small pieces before mixing. This keeps the crust flaky. Cream the butter and sugars until light and fluffy. Add the flour and salt slowly. Do not overmix; stop when a soft dough forms. Press the dough evenly into the pan. Bake it for just 15 minutes. This gives it a nice base for the apples. For the caramel sauce, you can use store-bought or homemade. If you decide to go homemade, keep an eye on it. Cook it on medium heat until it turns a rich golden color. Stir often, so it does not burn. Add a pinch of salt to enhance the flavor. Drizzle half on the apples and save the rest for later. This contrast makes each bite special. Serve your bars warm or at room temperature. Pair them with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. The cold ice cream complements the warm bars. You can also add whipped cream for extra fun. Finish with a sprinkle of flaky sea salt on top. This adds a great touch to every bite. Enjoy them with family and friends for a delightful treat! {{image_2}} When picking apples for your salted caramel apple pie bars, choose wisely. Some apples work better than others. I love using Granny Smith apples. Their tartness balances the sweet caramel. Honeycrisp apples add a nice crunch and sweetness. You can also mix varieties for extra flavor. Try a blend of tart and sweet apples to please everyone. You can get creative with toppings and add-ins. Instead of just a crumble, think about adding nuts. Chopped pecans or walnuts add crunch and flavor. You can also use oats for a heartier topping. For a fun twist, add chocolate chips or dried fruit to the apple mix. Each addition makes your salted caramel apple pie bars unique! If you need gluten-free options, swap the all-purpose flour for a gluten-free blend. Many brands offer great mixes that work well in baking. For vegan bars, replace the butter with coconut oil or vegan butter. Use a plant-based caramel sauce to keep it dairy-free. These swaps let everyone enjoy this tasty treat! After you make the delicious salted caramel apple pie bars, let them cool. Once they cool, place them in an airtight container. You can keep them at room temperature for up to three days. If you want them to last longer, store them in the fridge. They will stay fresh there for about a week. If you want to save some bars for later, freezing is a great option. First, cut the bars into squares. Then, wrap each square in plastic wrap. After that, place them in a freezer bag. You can freeze them for up to three months. When you're ready to eat, just thaw them in the fridge overnight. To enjoy these bars warm, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the bars on a baking sheet. Heat them for about 10 to 15 minutes. You can also microwave them. Just heat for 10 to 15 seconds at a time until warm. If you like, drizzle some extra salted caramel sauce on top after reheating. You’ll know the bars are done when the topping turns golden brown. The edges will look firm, and a toothpick should come out clean from the center. Keep an eye on them during the last few minutes of baking to avoid overcooking. Yes, you can make these bars ahead of time! Bake and cool them, then store in an airtight container. They stay fresh for up to three days at room temperature. For longer storage, keep them in the fridge for up to a week. These bars shine on their own, but you can enhance them with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Whipped cream also makes a great topping. For a fun twist, serve them warm with a drizzle of extra salted caramel sauce. You can find the full recipe in the article above. It includes all the steps and ingredients you need to create these delicious Salted Caramel Apple Pie Bars. Just scroll up to dive into the details! You learned about the key ingredients for making delicious Salted Caramel Apple Pie Bars. We explored substitutions and tools you’ll need. I shared step-by-step cooking instructions to make the process easy. You also got tips for a perfect crust and serving ideas. Lastly, we discussed variations, storage options, and answered common questions. Now you have everything you need to make this treat. Enjoy your baking adventure and share these delights with others!

Salted Caramel Apple Pie Bars

Indulge in the irresistible delight of Salted Caramel Apple Pie Bars! This easy recipe combines buttery crust, sweet apples, and a rich salted caramel sauce, making it a perfect dessert for any occasion. With simple ingredients and quick prep, you can create a yummy treat that everyone will love. Click through to explore the full recipe and treat yourself to these delicious bars that are sure to impress!
Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Ingredients
  

2 cups all-purpose flour

1 cup unsalted butter, softened

1/2 cup granulated sugar

1/2 cup brown sugar, packed

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

2 large apples, peeled, cored, and diced

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon nutmeg

1 tablespoon lemon juice

1 cup salted caramel sauce (store-bought or homemade)

Flaky sea salt, for topping

Instructions
 

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9x13 inch baking pan and set aside.

    In a mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy.

      Add the vanilla extract and mix until combined.

        Gradually add the all-purpose flour and salt, mixing until a soft dough forms. Reserve 1 cup of this mixture for the crumble topping.

          Press the remaining dough evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan to form the crust layer. Bake in the preheated oven for 15 minutes.

            While the crust is baking, prepare the apple filling. In a separate bowl, combine the diced apples, lemon juice, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Toss until apples are well coated.

              After the crust has baked for 15 minutes, remove it from the oven and give the apple mixture an even layer over it. Drizzle half of the salted caramel sauce on top of the apples.

                Take the reserved dough and crumble it over the apple layer to create the topping.

                  Bake the assembled bars for an additional 25-30 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown.

                    Once baked, remove from the oven and allow to cool in the pan for at least 30 minutes. Drizzle the remaining salted caramel sauce over the top and sprinkle with flaky sea salt.

                      Once cooled, cut into bars, serve, and enjoy!

                        Prep Time: 15 minutes | Total Time: 1 hour | Servings: 12