Short Description

Salted Caramel Apple Pie Bars are a rich and indulgent twist on the traditional apple pie. These handheld treats feature a buttery shortbread crust, a sweet-spiced apple filling, and a luscious salted caramel topping that brings just the right balance of salty and sweet. Perfect for cozy autumn gatherings or any occasion where comfort food is welcome.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Combines the nostalgic flavor of apple pie with the convenience of bars
Rich and buttery crust that holds its shape
Sweet, tangy apple filling enhanced with warm spices
Luxurious homemade salted caramel topping
Easier to serve and store than traditional pie
Ideal for potlucks, bake sales, or holiday dessert tables
Customizable with different apple varieties
Can be made ahead of time
Tastes amazing both warm and chilled
No pie crust rolling required

Ingredients

(Tip: You can find the complete list of ingredients and their measurements in the recipe card below.)

For the crust:

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed
1 egg yolk
1–2 tbsp cold water

For the apple filling:

4 large apples (such as Granny Smith), peeled, cored, and sliced
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1 tbsp brown sugar
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp nutmeg
1 tbsp cornstarch
1 tbsp lemon juice

For the salted caramel topping:

1/2 cup unsalted butter
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup heavy cream
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 tsp sea salt

Directions

1. Prepare the crust:
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper. In a mixing bowl, combine the flour, sugar, and salt. Cut in the cold, cubed butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Add the egg yolk and cold water, mixing until a dough forms. Press the dough evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan.

2. Bake the crust:
Bake for 10–12 minutes, or until lightly golden. Remove from oven and set aside to cool slightly.

3. Make the apple filling:
In a large bowl, toss the apple slices with granulated sugar, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, cornstarch, and lemon juice until evenly coated.

4. Assemble the bars:
Spread the prepared apple filling evenly over the slightly cooled crust. Return the pan to the oven and bake for 30–35 minutes, or until the apples are tender and the filling is bubbling.

5. Make the salted caramel topping:
While the bars bake, melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir in the brown sugar and heavy cream, and let it come to a gentle simmer. Cook for 3–4 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla extract and sea salt.

6. Finish and cool:
Once the bars are done baking, pour the warm salted caramel sauce evenly over the top. Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan so the caramel sets properly.

7. Serve:
Once fully cooled, cut into squares and serve. Enjoy the perfect blend of crisp crust, tender apples, and gooey caramel.

Servings and timing

Servings: 12 bars
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Baking Time: 45 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes (includes cooling time)
Estimated Calories: 320 kcal per bar

Variations

Nutty Crunch: Sprinkle chopped pecans or walnuts over the apple layer before baking.
Cinnamon Sugar Crust: Add a cinnamon-sugar mixture on the crust before baking for extra flavor.
Different Apples: Use a mix of tart and sweet apples like Granny Smith and Honeycrisp.
Caramel Swirl: Swirl some caramel into the apples before baking for extra richness.
Spiked Caramel: Add a splash of bourbon or spiced rum to the caramel for depth.
Dairy-Free Version: Use plant-based butter and coconut cream in the caramel.
Gluten-Free Crust: Use a gluten-free flour blend to make the crust.
Apple Pear Mix: Substitute half the apples with ripe pears for a unique twist.

Storage/Reheating

Storage: Store cooled bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or refrigerate for up to 5 days.
Reheating: Warm individual bars in the microwave for 15–20 seconds or in a 300°F (150°C) oven for 5 minutes.
Freezing: Freeze bars (without caramel) in an airtight container for up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight and add caramel before serving if desired.

FAQs

Can I use store-bought caramel sauce instead of homemade?

Yes, you can substitute with quality store-bought salted caramel for convenience.

Salted Caramel Apple Pie Bars

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Author: Olivia
Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
Yield: 12 bars
Diet: Vegetarian

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Description

These Salted Caramel Apple Pie Bars deliver all the cozy, nostalgic flavor of traditional apple pie with the convenience of bars. A buttery crust, warmly spiced apple filling, and a rich salted caramel drizzle make this the ultimate fall dessert or holiday treat!

Instructions

Prepare the crust:
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper.
- Mix flour, sugar, and salt. Cut in butter until crumbly.
- Add egg yolk and water, mix until dough forms.
- Press dough into the pan and bake for 10–12 minutes. Cool slightly.
Make the apple filling:
- In a bowl, toss apples with sugars, cinnamon, nutmeg, cornstarch, and lemon juice.
Assemble and bake the bars:
- Spread apple filling over the crust.
- Bake for 30–35 minutes until apples are tender.
Make the salted caramel topping:
- Melt butter in a saucepan. Add brown sugar and cream, simmer 3–4 minutes.
- Stir in vanilla and sea salt.
Finish and serve:
- Pour caramel over warm apple bars. Let cool completely, then slice and serve.

Notes

Use tart apples like Granny Smith for best results.
Make caramel ahead and store in fridge for easier prep.
Bars store well in the fridge for up to 5 days.

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