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Overhead view of delicious homemade Salted Caramel Apple Bars, perfect for fall baking.

Irresistible Salted Caramel Apple Bars

These Salted Caramel Apple Bars are a delightful fall treat with a buttery crust, spiced apple filling, and homemade salted caramel drizzle. They're an easier-to-serve alternative to apple pie, perfect for Thanksgiving or any cozy autumn evening.
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Prep Time 45 minutes
Cook Time 55 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 40 minutes
Servings: 12
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Calories: 350
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
  • ½ cup granulated sugar for crust
  • ½ teaspoon salt for crust
  • ½ cup 1 stick) cold unsalted butter, cut into cubes (for crust
  • 1 large egg yolk for crust
  • 2-3 tablespoons ice water for crust
  • 6-8 medium apples, peeled, cored, and sliced Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, Gala, or Fuji
  • ½ cup granulated sugar for apple filling
  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour for apple filling
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • ¼ teaspoon ground ginger
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice
  • 2 tablespoons butter, cut into small pieces for apple filling
  • 1 cup granulated sugar for caramel
  • ½ cup heavy cream
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • ½ - 1 teaspoon sea salt, or to taste

Equipment

  • Large bowl
  • Whisk
  • Pastry blender or fingertips
  • Small bowl
  • Plastic wrap
  • Rolling Pin
  • 9x13 inch baking pan
  • Fork
  • Medium saucepan
  • Heat-Resistant Spatula
  • Measuring cups and spoons
  • Sharp knife

Method
 

  1. **Make the Buttery Crust:**
  2. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, and salt.
  3. Cut in the cold butter using a pastry blender or your fingertips until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
  4. In a small bowl, whisk together the egg yolk and 2 tablespoons of ice water.
  5. Gradually add the egg yolk mixture to the flour mixture, mixing until the dough just comes together. If the dough is too dry, add the remaining tablespoon of ice water.
  6. Form the dough into a disc, wrap it in plastic wrap, and chill for at least 30 minutes.
  7. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
  8. Roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface to fit a 9x13 inch baking pan.
  9. Transfer the dough to the pan and press it evenly into the bottom and up the sides.
  10. Prick the bottom of the crust with a fork to prevent it from puffing up during baking.
  11. Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until lightly golden brown. Let cool slightly.
  12. **Prepare the Spiced Apple Filling:**
  13. In a large bowl, combine the sliced apples, sugar, flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and lemon juice. Toss to coat.
  14. Pour the apple mixture over the partially baked crust.
  15. Dot the top with the butter pieces.
  16. **Make the Homemade Salted Caramel Sauce:**
  17. In a medium saucepan, melt the sugar over medium heat, stirring constantly with a heat-resistant spatula.
  18. Continue to cook, stirring occasionally, until the sugar is melted and amber in color.
  19. Remove from heat and immediately add the butter, stirring until melted and smooth.
  20. Slowly pour in the heavy cream, stirring constantly. The mixture will bubble up vigorously.
  21. Return the saucepan to medium heat and cook, stirring constantly, until the caramel is smooth and thickened, about 1-2 minutes.
  22. Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla extract and salt.
  23. Let cool slightly before drizzling over the apple filling.
  24. **Bake and Assemble the Bars:**
  25. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
  26. Drizzle the homemade salted caramel sauce evenly over the apple filling.
  27. Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the apples are tender and the caramel is bubbly.
  28. Let cool completely in the pan before cutting into bars.
  29. Use a sharp knife to cut the bars. For clean cuts, dip the knife in hot water and wipe it clean between each cut.

Notes

For an extra touch, add a streusel topping, chopped nuts, or a chocolate drizzle. Serve warm with vanilla ice cream. Store leftover bars in an airtight container at room temperature or in the refrigerator for up to a few days, or freeze for up to 2 months. Reheat in the oven or microwave before serving. Use a combination of apple varieties for a more complex flavor.