Salted Caramel Apple Pie Bars
Soft shortbread crust, spiced apple filling, buttery streusel topping, and a drizzle of salted caramel make these bars a handheld version of classic apple pie.
Equipment
- 9×13-inch baking pan
- Mixing Bowls
- Whisk
- Spatula
Ingredients
Shortbread Crust
- 1 cup unsalted butter melted
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- ¼ tsp salt
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
Apple Filling
- 4 cups apples peeled, cored, chopped (about 4 large)
- 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 2 tbsp granulated sugar
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- ⅛ tsp ground nutmeg
Streusel Topping
- ½ cup old-fashioned oats
- ⅓ cup light or dark brown sugar packed
- ¼ tsp ground cinnamon
- ⅓ cup all-purpose flour
- ¼ cup unsalted butter cold, cubed
Topping
- Salted Caramel Sauce for drizzling
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 300°F (150°C). Line a 9x13 baking pan with parchment paper.
- Make the crust: Stir melted butter, sugar, vanilla, and salt together. Add flour and stir until combined. Press evenly into pan. Bake for 15 minutes.
- Make the apple filling: Mix chopped apples with flour, sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Set aside.
- Make the streusel: Combine oats, brown sugar, cinnamon, and flour. Cut in cold butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- Remove crust from oven. Spread apple mixture evenly on top. Sprinkle with streusel.
- Bake for 30–35 minutes until topping is golden and apples are bubbling. Remove from oven and cool for at least 2 hours.
- Cut into bars and drizzle with salted caramel before serving.
Notes
For best results, chill bars before cutting. Store covered in refrigerator for up to 5 days or freeze for up to 3 months.