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apple bars

The best Salted Caramel Apple Bars

Soft cinnamon apples layered between buttery oat crumble and finished with rich salted caramel. These bars taste like apple pie and caramel crumble combined — perfect for fall desserts or holiday baking.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Servings: 12 bars
Course: Dessert, Goûter
Cuisine: Américaine
Calories: 320
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • Crust & Crumble
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup rolled oats
  • ¾ cup brown sugar
  • ½ tsp baking soda
  • ½ tsp salt
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • ¾ cup unsalted butter melted
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • Apple Filling
  • 3 medium apples peeled & diced
  • 2 tbsp granulated sugar
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • ½ tsp nutmeg
  • 1 tbsp cornstarch
  • Salted Caramel
  • or use store-bought
  • 1 cup caramel sauce
  • ½ tsp sea salt

Equipment

  • 8×8 inch baking pan (or 9×9 pan)
  • Mixing bowls
  • Measuring cups and spoons
  • Rubber spatula or wooden spoon
  • Knife and cutting board
  • Apple peeler (optional)
  • Parchment paper
  • Cooling rack

Method
 

  1. 1️⃣ Preheat
  2. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
  3. Line an 8x8 or 9x9 baking pan with parchment paper.
  4. 2️⃣ Make the Crust & Crumble
  5. In a bowl mix:
  6. flour
  7. oats
  8. brown sugar
  9. baking soda
  10. salt
  11. cinnamon
  12. Add melted butter + vanilla and mix until crumbly.
  13. Press half of the mixture firmly into the bottom of the pan to form the crust.
  14. 3️⃣ Prepare Apple Filling
  15. In another bowl combine:
  16. diced apples
  17. sugar
  18. lemon juice
  19. cinnamon
  20. nutmeg
  21. cornstarch
  22. Mix well.
  23. Spread apples evenly over the crust.
  24. 4️⃣ Add Crumble
  25. Sprinkle the remaining oat mixture over the apples.
  26. 5️⃣ Bake
  27. Bake for 35–40 minutes until the top is golden brown and apples are soft.
  28. Let cool for 15 minutes.
  29. 6️⃣ Add Salted Caramel
  30. Warm the caramel slightly and stir in ½ tsp sea salt.
  31. Drizzle generously over the bars.

Notes

  • For best flavor, use firm apples like Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or Braeburn. They hold their shape well when baked.
  • If using store-bought caramel sauce, warm it slightly before drizzling so it spreads evenly.
  • Allow the bars to cool completely before slicing for clean squares.
  • Add ½ cup chopped pecans or walnuts to the crumble for extra crunch.
  • For a richer flavor, sprinkle flaky sea salt on top after adding the caramel.
  • These bars taste even better the next day after the flavors settle.
  • Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.