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

When the weather turns crisp and the leaves start to change, few things are more comforting than the smell of freshly baked apple pie wafting through the house. However, traditional apple pie, while delicious, can be a bit time-consuming and messy. If you love the comforting, nostalgic flavors of apple pie but want something easier to make, portable, and just as delicious, then Salted Caramel Apple Pie Bars are the answer. These bars take all the beloved flavors of apple pie and turn them into a beautifully layered dessert that is easier to serve, easier to eat, and absolutely irresistible.

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With a buttery shortbread crust, a spiced apple filling, a crunchy streusel topping, and a decadent salted caramel drizzle, these apple pie bars offer the perfect balance of sweet and savory, soft and crunchy. Whether you’re looking for a treat to bring to a family gathering, a potluck, or just something to enjoy with your afternoon tea, these bars are sure to become a go-to recipe in your baking repertoire.

In this article, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know to make these mouthwatering Salted Caramel Apple Pie Bars, from the ingredients to the step-by-step instructions. We’ll also offer tips for ingredient substitutions, variations, and serving suggestions to make sure you get the most out of this delicious recipe. Let’s get started!

Why Choose Salted Caramel Apple Pie Bars?

Apple pie is a classic dessert that evokes a sense of comfort and tradition. However, when it comes to serving a crowd, pie can be a bit impractical. It’s difficult to cut neatly, requires a pie dish, and often needs extra utensils. Apple pie bars, on the other hand, are easy to serve, cut into perfectly portioned pieces, and even easier to enjoy!

One of the best things about these bars is their versatility. You can bake them for any occasion—family dinners, holiday gatherings, or even just a cozy afternoon treat. They’re portable, which means you can pack them up for a picnic or take them to a friend’s house without worrying about plates and forks.

But it’s not just the convenience that makes these bars stand out. The combination of flavors and textures is what truly elevates them to a new level of indulgence. The shortbread crust offers a rich, buttery base that melts in your mouth. The apple filling is tender and spiced just right, with cinnamon and nutmeg bringing out the natural sweetness of the apples. The streusel topping adds a crunchy, caramelized finish that contrasts beautifully with the soft apples. Finally, the salted caramel drizzle ties everything together with its perfect balance of sweet and salty.

If you’re someone who loves apple pie but wants a quicker, easier alternative, these Salted Caramel Apple Pie Bars are the perfect solution.

Ingredients: A Breakdown

Making Salted Caramel Apple Pie Bars is surprisingly simple, and the ingredients are easy to find. You’ll need to prepare three main components: the shortbread crust, the apple filling, and the streusel topping. And of course, no apple pie dessert would be complete without that luscious salted caramel drizzle. Let’s break down the ingredients you’ll need to make these bars.

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 and leveled)

This buttery shortbread crust is the foundation of your bars. It’s simple to make, but it adds a rich, melt-in-your-mouth texture that complements the rest of the ingredients.

Apple Filling

• 2 large apples, peeled and thinly sliced (about 3–4 cups)
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg

For the apple filling, you’ll want to choose apples that balance sweetness and tartness. Granny Smith apples, known for their tartness, work wonderfully, while Pink Lady or Honeycrisp apples provide a touch of sweetness. The apples are tossed in a simple mixture of flour, sugar, and spices, which will help thicken the filling as it bakes.

Streusel Topping

• 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
• 1/4 cup (4 Tbsp; 56g) unsalted butter, cold and cubed

The streusel topping adds a delightful crunch and caramelized flavor. The oats create a rustic texture, while the brown sugar and butter give it that irresistible sweetness and buttery richness.

Salted Caramel Sauce

• Homemade salted caramel or store-bought caramel sauce

A generous drizzle of salted caramel takes these bars from good to great. You can use your favorite homemade caramel sauce or opt for a store-bought version to save time. Either way, the caramel adds a rich, gooey finish that’s the perfect balance to the tart apples and sweet streusel.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Let’s dive into how to make these irresistible Salted Caramel Apple Pie Bars. While there are a few steps involved, each is straightforward, and the results are absolutely worth it.

Step 1: Prepare the Crust

1. Preheat the oven to 300°F (149°C). Line an 8-inch square baking pan with parchment paper, leaving enough overhang for easy removal.
2. In a medium bowl, combine the melted butter, granulated sugar, vanilla, and salt. Stir until the mixture is smooth and well-combined.
3. Add the flour and stir until the dough comes together. It will be a bit crumbly, but that’s okay.
4. Press the dough evenly into the prepared pan. Use your fingers to make sure it’s packed in tightly and evenly.
5. Bake the crust for about 15 minutes, then remove it from the oven. As the crust bakes, you can prepare the apple filling and streusel topping.

Step 2: Make the Apple Filling

1. In a large bowl, toss the peeled and thinly sliced apples with the flour, sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg. The flour will help thicken the filling as it bakes, and the spices will enhance the apples’ natural flavor.
2. Set the apple mixture aside while you prepare the streusel topping.

Step 3: Make the Streusel

1. In a medium bowl, whisk together the oats, brown sugar, cinnamon, and flour.
2. Add the cold, cubed butter and use a pastry blender, two forks, or your hands to cut the butter into the dry ingredients. Continue until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
3. Set the streusel aside until you’re ready to assemble the bars.

Step 4: Assemble and Bake

1. Increase the oven temperature to 350°F (177°C).
2. Once the crust has cooled slightly, evenly layer the apple mixture over the top of the warm crust. Don’t worry if it looks like there’s too much apple—press them down gently and tightly, and they’ll cook down in the oven.
3. Sprinkle the streusel topping over the apples, ensuring it’s evenly distributed.
4. Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the streusel is golden brown and the apples are tender.

Step 5: Cool and Serve

1. Remove the bars from the oven and let them cool at room temperature for 20 minutes.
2. After that, transfer them to the refrigerator to chill for at least 2 hours (or overnight). Chilling the bars will help them set and make them easier to cut.
3. Once the bars are fully chilled, lift them out of the pan using the parchment paper overhang. Cut into 12-16 bars, depending on your desired serving size.
4. Drizzle the salted caramel sauce over the top of each bar just before serving.

The Flavors and Textures of Salted Caramel Apple Pie Bars

When you take a bite of these bars, you’ll immediately notice the perfect combination of textures and flavors:

• The Shortbread Crust: Buttery and slightly crumbly, the shortbread crust provides a rich foundation. It’s not overly sweet, allowing the other flavors to shine.
• The Apple Filling: The apples are tender and juicy, with a wonderful balance of tartness from the Granny Smith apples and sweetness from the Pink Lady or Honeycrisp variety. The cinnamon and nutmeg add warmth and depth to the filling, making it feel like a classic apple pie.
• The Streusel Topping: Crunchy and caramelized, the streusel adds texture and flavor that perfectly contrasts the soft apple filling. The oats give it a rustic, hearty feel.
• The Salted Caramel: The caramel sauce is rich and gooey, with a salty-sweet finish that makes the entire dessert irresistible. The salt cuts through the sweetness of the apples and streusel, providing the perfect balance.

Tips for Success

• Use the Right Apples: Choose a combination of tart and sweet apples for the best flavor and texture.
• Even Slices: Slice the apples evenly to ensure they cook uniformly.
• Chill the Bars: Let the bars cool completely before cutting to ensure they hold together well.
• Drizzle Caramel Before Serving: For the freshest look and flavor, drizzle the caramel just before serving.

Storage and Make-Ahead Tips

• Refrigeration: Store leftover bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
• Freezing: If you want to freeze the bars, wrap them tightly and store them in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator before serving.

Serving Suggestions

• Serve the bars warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
• Pair with a cup of coffee, hot tea, or apple cider for the ultimate cozy experience.
• Top with whipped cream for a touch of elegance.

Final Thoughts on Salted Caramel Apple Pie Bars

These Salted Caramel Apple Pie Bars take everything you love about traditional apple pie and make it even more delicious and easier to serve. The combination of buttery shortbread crust, tender spiced apples, crunchy streusel topping, and sweet, salty caramel is nothing short of magical. Whether you’re serving them at a family gathering or just enjoying them with a cup of tea, these bars are sure to become a favorite in your baking collection.

So, grab your apron, gather your ingredients, and treat yourself and your loved ones to these mouthwatering bars. You won’t be disappointed!