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apple crisp bars

Caramel Apple Crisp Bars (Easy Apple Dessert Recipe)

Caramel Apple Crisp Bars are soft, buttery apple crisp bars made with a shortbread crust, a spiced apple filling, and a crunchy oat streusel topping. Drizzled with rich caramel sauce, these easy apple crisp bars are the perfect fall dessert for holidays, parties, or anytime you’re craving a comforting homemade treat.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 5 minutes
Servings: 12
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: Américaine
Calories: 320
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • Shortbread Crust & Topping
  • 1 cup unsalted butter cold and cubed
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • Apple Filling
  • 3 cups apples peeled and diced (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp)
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice
  • ¼ cup brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
  • Topping
  • ½ cup caramel sauce plus more for drizzling

Equipment

  • Add these in the Equipment tab:
  • 9×13-inch baking pan
  • Parchment paper
  • Large mixing bowl
  • Medium mixing bowl
  • Measuring cups and spoons
  • Pastry cutter or fork
  • Spatula
  • Knife
  • Cutting board

Method
 

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper.
  2. In a large bowl, combine flour, oats, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
  3. Cut in the cold butter using a pastry cutter or your fingers until crumbly.
  4. Stir in vanilla extract.
  5. Press two-thirds of the mixture firmly into the prepared pan to form the crust.
  6. Bake for 15 minutes, then remove from oven.
  7. In another bowl, mix apples, lemon juice, brown sugar, cornstarch, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
  8. Spread apple mixture evenly over the warm crust.
  9. Drizzle caramel sauce over the apples.
  10. Sprinkle remaining crumb mixture on top.
  11. Bake for 30–35 minutes, until golden and bubbly.
  12. Let cool completely before slicing into bars.

Notes

  • For cleaner slices, refrigerate bars for 1 hour before cutting.
  • Add chopped pecans or walnuts to the topping for extra crunch.
  • Serve warm with vanilla ice cream for a next-level dessert.