When the air smells like cinnamon and leaves start to crunch, I always crave something warm and sweet. This Salted Caramel Apple Crumble brings that cozy fall feeling straight to your kitchen. Gooey apples, buttery crumbs, and golden caramel—each bite tastes like a little piece of Thanksgiving comfort.
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love This Salted Caramel Apple Crumble
You’ll love how this dessert fills your kitchen with the scent of baked apples and butter. The texture is just right—crisp on top and soft in the middle with that rich, salted caramel weaving through every bite. It’s easier than apple pie but still feels just as special. Plus, you can make it ahead for gatherings or simple weeknight treats.
Ingredients You’ll Need
For the Apple Filling
- 5 cups peeled and diced apples (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp)
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon allspice
For the Crust and Crumble Topping
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 cup cold unsalted butter, cut into cubes
- 1 egg, lightly beaten
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
For the Salted Caramel Layer
- ¾ cup salted caramel sauce (homemade or store-bought)
Note: Add extra for drizzling when serving.
Optional Toppings
- Vanilla ice cream
- Extra caramel drizzle
Step-by-Step: How to Make Salted Caramel Apple Crumble
Step 1: Prepare Your Pan and Oven
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
Grease or line a 9×13-inch pan with parchment paper. This keeps the bars easy to lift out later.
Step 2: Make the Apple Filling
In a large bowl, toss diced apples with lemon juice.
Whisk together flour, cornstarch, sugar, salt, and spices in another bowl.
Then, pour that mixture over the apples and stir until everything is well coated.
Step 3: Make the Crust and Crumble
Whisk flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon.
Add cold butter and use your fingers or a pastry cutter until the mixture becomes crumbly.
Next, stir in the beaten egg and vanilla until combined. The dough should stay crumbly but hold when pressed.
Step 4: Assemble the Layers
Press half of the dough evenly into the pan.
Spread the apple filling over the crust.
Drizzle the salted caramel sauce all over.
Finally, sprinkle the remaining dough on top and gently pat it down.
Step 5: Bake and Cool
Bake for 45 minutes or until the top turns golden brown and smells like caramel apples.
Cool completely on a wire rack before cutting into squares. The waiting is tough—but worth it.
Serving and Storage Tips
Serve these bars warm or at room temperature with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
Drizzle more caramel on top for that extra glossy finish.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days.
You can also freeze them for up to three months. Thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat gently before serving.
Recipe Card — Salted Caramel Apple Crumble
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Salted Caramel Apple Crumble | Easy & Delicious Fall Dessert
- Total Time: 65 minutes
- Yield: 16 bars 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Apple pie bars with a thick buttery crust, a layer of spiced apples, salted caramel sauce, and a sweet crumb topping. Great for fall gatherings.
Ingredients
For the apple filling:
5 cups peeled and diced apples (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp)
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
½ cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon cornstarch
1 cup granulated sugar
¼ teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
¼ teaspoon allspice
For the crust and crumble topping:
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon baking powder
¼ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon cinnamon
1 cup cold unsalted butter, cut into cubes
1 egg, lightly beaten
½ teaspoon vanilla extract
For the salted caramel layer:
¾ cup salted caramel sauce (homemade or store-bought)
Optional toppings:
Vanilla ice cream
Extra caramel drizzle
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 375°F. Line or grease a 9×13-inch pan.
2. Mix apples with lemon juice. In another bowl whisk flour, cornstarch, sugar, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice. Toss with apples.
3. Whisk flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon for the dough. Cut in cold butter until crumbly.
4. Stir in egg and vanilla until combined. The mixture should stay crumbly but hold when pressed.
5. Press half the dough into the pan to make the crust.
6. Spread apple mixture evenly over the crust. Drizzle the salted caramel on top.
7. Crumble the remaining dough over the apples and pat gently.
8. Bake for 45 minutes or until the top is golden brown. Cool completely on a wire rack. Cut into squares.
Notes
Pan size: 9×13 inch.
Use Granny Smith or Honeycrisp for the best balance and texture.
Homemade salted caramel adds deeper flavor, but a good store-bought option works well.
Make ahead: bake a day in advance, chill, then warm before serving.
Storage: refrigerate up to 3 days or freeze up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge and warm to serve.
Serve warm with vanilla ice cream and an extra drizzle of caramel.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Thanksgiving Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 231 kcal
- Sugar: 23 g
- Sodium: 137 mg
- Fat: 8 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2.4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 38 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 27 mg
More Such Recipes
If you enjoy this Salted Caramel Apple Crumble, you’ll also love these cozy desserts:
Try my Easy Apple Coffee Cake with Cinnamon Streusel for a soft morning treat.
Or check out this Quick & Easy Peach Crisp Dessert for another simple fruit bake.
You might also like Delicious Fresh Peach Fritters or The Best Cherry Pie Recipe.
If you prefer something darker and juicier, try my Easy Skillet Blackberry Cobbler.
FAQs
What kind of apples work best for apple crumble?
Granny Smith and Honeycrisp work perfectly. They keep their shape and balance the sweetness of the caramel without turning mushy.
Can I make this recipe ahead of time?
Yes, bake it a day ahead and store it in the fridge. Before serving, warm it in the oven so the caramel softens again.
Can I use homemade salted caramel sauce?
Absolutely. Homemade caramel has a deeper flavor, but a good store-bought version (like Trader Joe’s) works just as well when time is short.
Final Thoughts
This Salted Caramel Apple Crumble feels like fall in a bite—warm, spiced, and full of comfort. The crisp topping melts into the gooey caramel and apple filling in a way that always brings people back for seconds. Try it for your next family dinner or Thanksgiving dessert table.
If you bake it, I’d love to see your version! Tag your photo on Pinterest or Facebook and share a little taste of your kitchen joy.