Salted Caramel Apple Pie Bars: A Delightful Twist on a Classic Dessert

Apple pie is a beloved dessert that reminds us of cozy fall afternoons and family gatherings. However, not everyone has the time or patience to make a full pie. Enter salted caramel apple pie bars—an easy, yet indulgent alternative that’s packed with all the comforting flavors of apple pie, but with a modern twist. These bars combine a buttery shortbread crust, a spiced apple filling, and a crumbly streusel topping, all drizzled with homemade or store-bought salted caramel sauce. The result is a treat that’s just as delicious as traditional apple pie, but without the hassle.

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These salted caramel apple pie bars are perfect for when you’re craving the taste of apple pie but want a simpler, quicker method of preparation. Made in an 8-inch square pan, these bars can easily be sliced into smaller squares for a crowd, or kept large for a more indulgent treat. The combination of cinnamon-spiced apples, rich caramel, and the irresistible crumble topping makes each bite a perfect harmony of flavors and textures. Whether you serve them warm, at room temperature, or cold, they’re sure to become a go-to dessert in your baking repertoire.

Ingredients

For the Shortbread Crust:

• 1/2 cup (8 Tbsp; 113g) unsalted butter, melted
• 1/4 cup (50g) granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup (125g) all-purpose flour (spooned & leveled)

For the Apple Filling:

• 2 large apples, peeled and thinly sliced (1/4 inch thick)
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg

For the Streusel:

• 1/2 cup (43g) old-fashioned whole rolled oats
• 1/3 cup (70g) packed light or dark brown sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 cup (31g) all-purpose flour (spooned & leveled)
• 1/4 cup (4 Tbsp; 56g) unsalted butter, cold and cubed

For the Topping:

• Homemade salted caramel or store-bought caramel sauce

Instructions

1. Preheat the Oven: Start by preheating your oven to 300°F (149°C). Line the bottom and sides of an 8-inch square baking pan with parchment paper, ensuring there’s enough overhang to lift the bars out later. Set the pan aside.
2. Make the Shortbread Crust: In a medium bowl, stir together the melted butter, granulated sugar, vanilla extract, and salt. Add the flour and stir until everything is well combined. Press the mixture evenly into the prepared baking pan. Bake for 15 minutes, then remove from the oven. While the crust is baking, prepare the apple filling and streusel.
3. Prepare the Apple Filling: In a large bowl, toss the sliced apples with the flour, granulated sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg until the apples are evenly coated. Set the filling aside.
4. Make the Streusel: In a medium bowl, whisk together the oats, brown sugar, cinnamon, and flour. Cut in the cold, cubed butter using a pastry blender, two forks, or your hands until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Set aside.
5. Assemble the Bars: Once the crust is done, increase the oven temperature to 350°F (177°C). Layer the apple filling evenly on top of the warm crust. The apples may seem like they won’t all fit, but layer them tightly and press them down to fit. Sprinkle the streusel evenly over the apples.
6. Bake the Bars: Bake the bars for 30–35 minutes, or until the streusel is golden brown and the apple filling is bubbling. Remove from the oven and allow to cool for at least 20 minutes at room temperature.
7. Chill the Bars: After the bars have cooled slightly, place them in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours to fully set, or overnight if you have time.
8. Cut and Serve: Once the bars are fully chilled, lift the parchment paper out of the pan using the overhang and cut the bars into 12–16 pieces, depending on your preferred size. Drizzle each bar with salted caramel sauce before serving. These salted caramel apple pie bars can be enjoyed warm, at room temperature, or cold, whichever way you prefer.

Tips and Variations

• Apples: To achieve the best flavor and texture, use a mix of tart and sweet apples. Granny Smith apples provide the perfect balance of tartness, while Pink Lady or Honeycrisp apples add a touch of sweetness. Aim for about 3–4 cups of sliced apples, or adjust based on your taste preferences.
• Make Ahead and Freezing Instructions: These bars can easily be made ahead. Store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. If you want to freeze them, wrap the bars tightly in plastic wrap and store them in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Thaw them overnight in the refrigerator before serving.
• Caramel Sauce: For a richer, homemade touch, make your own salted caramel sauce. However, store-bought caramel sauce works just as well, and it saves time.
• Larger Batch: If you need to make more bars, you can double the recipe and bake it in a 9×13-inch pan. Pre-bake the crust for 18 minutes, then increase the baking time for the bars to about 45–55 minutes.
• Crust Variations: If you prefer a slightly different crust, you can replace the shortbread crust with a graham cracker or digestive biscuit crust. Simply crush the crackers and combine them with melted butter and sugar before pressing them into the pan.
• Streusel Options: Experiment with different streusel variations by adding chopped nuts like pecans or walnuts for an added crunch. You can also sprinkle some cinnamon sugar on top of the streusel for extra sweetness.

Final Thoughts

Salted caramel apple pie bars are the perfect dessert for fall, but they’re delicious year-round. The buttery shortbread crust provides a satisfying base, while the spiced apples add a comforting, fruity filling. The streusel topping gives each bite a lovely crunch, and the salted caramel sauce ties everything together with a rich, salty-sweet finish. These bars are not only easy to make but are also the perfect treat for sharing with friends and family. Whether you’re hosting a gathering or simply craving a slice of something sweet, these salted caramel apple pie bars are sure to be a hit.