SALTED CARAMEL APPLE BARS PERFECT

Imagine biting into a buttery, crumbly crust, then encountering layers of sweet and tart apples nestled under a blanket of decadent salted caramel. These Salted Caramel Apple Bars aren’t just a dessert; they’re an experience, a symphony of textures and flavors that will leave you wanting more – and trust me, with this recipe, you’ll be able to make them perfectly every time!

Ingredients

For the Crust:

• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, cold and cubed
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 4-6 tablespoons ice water

For the Apple Filling:

• 4 medium apples (such as Honeycrisp, Gala, or Fuji), peeled, cored, and sliced
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice

For the Salted Caramel Sauce:

• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup water
• 1/2 cup heavy cream, warmed
• 4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, cut into pieces
• 1/2 teaspoon sea salt, plus more for sprinkling

For the Crumble Topping (Optional):

• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/4 cup rolled oats
• 1/4 cup (1/2 stick) cold unsalted butter, cubed
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Let’s Get Baking: Step-by-Step Instructions

Making the Crust:

1. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, and salt.
2. Cut in the cold butter using a pastry blender or your fingertips until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. You can also use a food processor, pulsing until the mixture is crumbly.
3. Gradually add the ice water, one tablespoon at a time, mixing until the dough just comes together. Be careful not to overmix.
4. Form the dough into a disk, wrap it in plastic wrap, and chill for at least 30 minutes. This is crucial for preventing a tough crust!
5. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
6. Roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface to fit a 9×13 inch baking pan. Transfer the dough to the pan and press it into the bottom and up the sides.
7. Dock the crust with a fork (poke holes in the bottom) to prevent it from puffing up during baking.
8. Bake the crust for 15-20 minutes, or until lightly golden brown.

Preparing the Apple Filling:

1. While the crust is baking, prepare the apple filling. In a large bowl, combine the sliced apples, sugar, flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, and lemon juice. Toss to coat evenly.

Crafting the Salted Caramel Sauce:

1. In a medium saucepan, combine the sugar and water. Cook over medium heat, without stirring, until the sugar dissolves and the mixture turns a deep amber color. This takes patience, so don’t rush it! Be very careful as the sugar is extremely hot.
2. Remove the saucepan from the heat and carefully whisk in the warmed heavy cream. Be prepared for it to bubble up vigorously.
3. Add the butter and salt and whisk until smooth and creamy. If the caramel seizes up, return the saucepan to low heat and whisk constantly until it smooths out.

Assembling the Apple Bars:

1. Pour the apple filling over the pre-baked crust.
2. Pour half of the salted caramel sauce evenly over the apple filling. Reserve the remaining caramel sauce for drizzling later.
3. If using, prepare the crumble topping. In a medium bowl, combine the flour, brown sugar, oats, cinnamon, and cold butter. Cut in the butter using a pastry blender or your fingertips until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
4. Sprinkle the crumble topping evenly over the apple filling.
5. Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the apples are tender and the topping (if using) is golden brown.
6. Let the bars cool completely in the pan before cutting into squares. Drizzle with the remaining salted caramel sauce and sprinkle with a pinch of sea salt before serving.

Troubleshooting Your Caramel (Because We’ve All Been There)

Making caramel can be intimidating, but don’t let it scare you! Here are a few common issues and how to fix them:

• Crystallized Sugar: If sugar crystals form on the sides of the pan, use a wet pastry brush to wash them down.
• Seized Caramel: If the caramel seizes up when you add the cream, don’t panic! Return the pan to low heat and whisk constantly until it smooths out. A little patience is key.
• Burnt Caramel: Keep a close eye on the caramel as it cooks. If it starts to smell burnt, remove it from the heat immediately. Unfortunately, burnt caramel is usually best to discard and start over.

Variations & Swaps for Your Perfect Bar

Want to put your own spin on these Salted Caramel Apple Bars? Here are a few ideas:

• Apple Variety: Experiment with different apple varieties! Granny Smith apples will add extra tartness, while Honeycrisp and Fuji apples offer a sweeter flavor. A mix of varieties can create a complex and delicious filling.
• Nutty Addition: Add chopped pecans or walnuts to the crumble topping for extra texture and flavor.
• Spice it Up: Add a pinch of ground ginger or cardamom to the apple filling for a warm, spicy twist.
• Caramel Swirl: For an extra decadent treat, swirl some store-bought caramel sauce into the apple filling before baking.
• Crust Change Up: Use a graham cracker crust instead of the traditional pastry crust for a different flavor profile.

Making Ahead & Storing Your Apple Bars

These bars are great for making ahead! You can prepare the crust and apple filling a day in advance and store them separately in the refrigerator. The salted caramel sauce can also be made ahead and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Just gently reheat it before drizzling.

Leftover bars can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. They’re also delicious warmed up slightly in the microwave!

Apple Dessert Mania: Similar Recipes You’ll Adore

If you’re as obsessed with apples as I am, you’ll love these other delicious apple-centric recipes. For a truly show-stopping dessert, try the Salted Caramel Apple Pie Cheesecake. If you prefer bars, the Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars are another great option. For a cozy breakfast treat, try the Apple Cinnamon Rolls. If you need a quick and easy appetizer, the Caramel Apple Cheesecake Dip is always a hit. For a classic dessert, the Homemade Apple Crisp is a must-try, and the Caramel Apple Cupcake is perfect for a party!

Why These Salted Caramel Apple Bars Are a Must-Try

These Salted Caramel Apple Bars aren’t just a dessert; they’re a taste of autumn in every bite. The combination of sweet apples, buttery crust, and decadent salted caramel is simply irresistible. Plus, they’re surprisingly easy to make, even for beginner bakers. So, gather your ingredients, put on some music, and get ready to create a dessert that will impress your friends and family – and most importantly, satisfy your own sweet tooth!

Salted Caramel Apple Bars

These Salted Caramel Apple Bars are a symphony of sweet and tart apples nestled under a blanket of decadent salted caramel, all on a buttery, crumbly crust. This recipe provides a perfect balance of textures and flavors, making it an irresistible dessert for any occasion.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 45 minutes mins

Cook Time 55 minutes mins

Total Time 1 hour hr 40 minutes mins

Servings: 12

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Calories: 400

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour for crust
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar for crust
• 1/4 teaspoon salt for crust
• 4-6 tablespoons ice water for crust
• 4 medium apples such as Honeycrisp, Gala, or Fuji), peeled, cored, and sliced (for filling
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar for filling
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour for filling
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon for filling
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg for filling
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice for filling
• 1 cup granulated sugar for caramel
• 1/4 cup water for caramel
• 1/2 cup heavy cream, warmed for caramel
• 1/2 teaspoon sea salt, plus more for sprinkling for caramel
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour for crumble topping
• 1/4 cup packed brown sugar for crumble topping
• 1/4 cup rolled oats for crumble topping
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon for crumble topping

Equipment

• 9×13 inch baking pan
• Large bowl
• Medium bowl
• Pastry blender or fingertips
• Food processor (optional)
• Plastic wrap
• Rolling Pin
• Fork
• Medium saucepan
• Whisk
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Oven
• Cooling rack

Method

 

1. **Making the Crust:** In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, and salt.
2. Cut in the cold butter using a pastry blender or your fingertips until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. You can also use a food processor, pulsing until the mixture is crumbly.
3. Gradually add the ice water, one tablespoon at a time, mixing until the dough just comes together. Be careful not to overmix.
4. Form the dough into a disk, wrap it in plastic wrap, and chill for at least 30 minutes.
5. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
6. Roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface to fit a 9×13 inch baking pan. Transfer the dough to the pan and press it into the bottom and up the sides.
7. Dock the crust with a fork (poke holes in the bottom) to prevent it from puffing up during baking.
8. Bake the crust for 15-20 minutes, or until lightly golden brown.
9. **Preparing the Apple Filling:** While the crust is baking, prepare the apple filling. In a large bowl, combine the sliced apples, sugar, flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, and lemon juice. Toss to coat evenly.
10. **Crafting the Salted Caramel Sauce:** In a medium saucepan, combine the sugar and water. Cook over medium heat, without stirring, until the sugar dissolves and the mixture turns a deep amber color.
11. Remove the saucepan from the heat and carefully whisk in the warmed heavy cream. Be prepared for it to bubble up vigorously.
12. Add the butter and salt and whisk until smooth and creamy. If the caramel seizes up, return the saucepan to low heat and whisk constantly until it smooths out.
13. **Assembling the Apple Bars:** Pour the apple filling over the pre-baked crust.
14. Pour half of the salted caramel sauce evenly over the apple filling. Reserve the remaining caramel sauce for drizzling later.
15. If using, prepare the crumble topping. In a medium bowl, combine the flour, brown sugar, oats, cinnamon, and cold butter. Cut in the butter using a pastry blender or your fingertips until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
16. Sprinkle the crumble topping evenly over the apple filling.
17. Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the apples are tender and the topping (if using) is golden brown.
18. Let the bars cool completely in the pan before cutting into squares. Drizzle with the remaining salted caramel sauce and sprinkle with a pinch of sea salt before serving.

Notes

For best results, use cold butter and ice water when making the crust. The crust and apple filling can be prepared a day in advance and stored separately in the refrigerator. The salted caramel sauce can also be made ahead and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator, gently reheating before drizzling. Leftover bars can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Experiment with different apple varieties such as Granny Smith for extra tartness, or add chopped pecans or walnuts to the crumble topping for extra texture and flavor.