Description
Delightful salted caramel apple pie bars combine classic autumn flavors with irresistible sweetness. Buttery crust, spiced apples, and rich caramel create a memorable dessert that delights friends and family.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 5 medium apples (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp), peeled, cored, and thinly sliced
- 1 cup (2 sticks / 226 grams) unsalted butter, softened
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 cup granulated sugar
Spices and Flavor Enhancers:
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
Sugars and Additional Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1/4 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1/2 cup (1 stick / 113 grams) unsalted butter, melted
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into pieces
- 1/2 cup heavy cream, at room temperature
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Craft the foundational shortbread base by blending butter, sugar, flour, salt, and vanilla into a cohesive mixture. Press the dough uniformly into a parchment-lined 9×13 inch baking dish. Bake at 350F for 15-20 minutes until edges turn delicately golden.
- Prepare apple mixture by tossing sliced apples with lemon juice, then incorporate granulated sugar, brown sugar, flour, and warm spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. Ensure apples are evenly coated with the aromatic seasoning blend.
- Create streusel topping by combining flour, brown sugar, granulated sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Introduce melted butter and mix until the texture becomes wonderfully crumbly and textured.
- Layer the spiced apple filling across the pre-baked shortbread crust, ensuring even distribution. Generously scatter the streusel topping across the apple layer, covering the surface completely.
- Return the assembled dish to the 350F oven, baking for 30-35 minutes until the topping transforms into a rich golden brown and apples become tender and fragrant.
- Craft salted caramel sauce by gradually melting granulated sugar until it reaches a deep amber color. Incorporate butter, stirring until fully integrated. Carefully introduce heavy cream, continuing to stir. Remove from heat, season with sea salt, and allow slight cooling.
- After complete cooling, artfully drizzle the salted caramel sauce over the baked bars. Slice into elegant squares and serve.
Notes
- Choose crisp, tart apples like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp for the best balance of flavor and texture in your bars.
- Ensure butter is at room temperature for the crust to achieve a smooth, easy-to-press consistency.
- Toast the streusel topping ingredients briefly before mixing to enhance the nutty, caramelized flavor profile.
- For a gluten-free version, substitute all-purpose flour with almond or oat flour in both the crust and streusel layers.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 16
- Calories: 307
- Sugar: 23 g
- Sodium: 88 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0.3 g
- Carbohydrates: 39 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 45 mg