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Salted Caramel Apple Pie Bars

Salted Caramel Apple Pie Bars

Salted Caramel Apple Pie Bars combine a tender apple filling, buttery flaky crust, and luscious salted caramel sauce all in one easy-to-make dessert bar. Perfectly balanced with a hint of sea salt, these bars offer a comforting, sweet-and-salty treat ideal for cozy autumn snacks or to impress guests at gatherings. Easy to prepare with flexible ingredient options, these bars are perfect year-round for anyone craving a warm, fruity dessert with minimal fuss.

  • Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
  • Yield: 16 bars 1x

Ingredients

Scale

Crust

  • 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2/3 cup brown sugar
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted cold butter, cut into small pieces

Apple Filling

  • 3 cups peeled and diced Granny Smith apples
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon lemon juice

Salted Caramel Sauce

  • 6 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 3/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/3 cup heavy cream
  • 1/4 teaspoon sea salt, plus a pinch for sprinkling

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Crust: Combine the flour, brown sugar, and a pinch of salt in a bowl. Cut the cold unsalted butter into small pieces and blend using a pastry cutter or fingers until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Press half of this crumb mixture firmly into the bottom of a parchment-lined baking pan. Pre-bake the crust at 350°F (175°C) for about 10 minutes until it sets but is not fully browned.
  2. Make the Apple Filling: While the crust bakes, peel and dice the apples into small cubes. Toss the apples with ground cinnamon, brown sugar, and lemon juice to keep them fresh and flavorful, creating a spiced, juicy filling.
  3. Cook the Salted Caramel: In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter and stir in the granulated sugar constantly until the sugar dissolves and the mixture turns a rich amber color. Slowly whisk in the heavy cream and cook until the caramel thickens slightly. Remove from heat, then stir in sea salt for that signature salted caramel flavor.
  4. Assemble the Bars: Spread the apple filling evenly over the pre-baked crust. Pour half of the salted caramel sauce over the apples. Sprinkle the remaining crumb mixture on top, then drizzle the remaining caramel sauce over the surface for extra caramel flavor.
  5. Bake and Cool: Bake the assembled bars at 350°F (175°C) for 35-40 minutes or until the topping is golden and crispy. Remove from oven and allow bars to cool completely to set before cutting into squares, ensuring clean slices and proper texture.

Notes

  • Use crisp, tart apples like Granny Smith for texture and balanced sweetness.
  • Keep butter cold when preparing crust for flakiness.
  • Allow bars to cool fully to avoid runny caramel and crumbly texture.
  • Adjust sea salt in caramel to taste to balance sweetness.
  • Line your pan with parchment paper with an overhang for easy removal.
  • For clean cuts, use a sharp knife dipped in hot water and wiped between slices.
  • Author: Lina
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 50 minutes
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American
  • Diet: Gluten Free

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 bar
  • Calories: 280
  • Sugar: 22g
  • Sodium: 140mg
  • Fat: 15g
  • Saturated Fat: 9g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 5g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 33g
  • Fiber: 2g
  • Protein: 2g
  • Cholesterol: 40mg

Keywords: salted caramel apple bars, apple pie bars, caramel apple dessert, fall dessert, easy apple bars