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