Description
These Decadent Salted Caramel Apple Pie Bars combine a buttery shortbread crust, a spiced apple filling, a crunchy oat streusel topping, and a rich salted caramel drizzle. They are perfect for any occasion.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/4 tsp fine salt
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 4–5 medium apples (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp), peeled and thinly sliced
- 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 2 tbsp granulated sugar
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
- Pinch of salt
- 3/4 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
- 1/3 cup light brown sugar
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp fine salt
- 6 tbsp cold unsalted butter, cubed
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 6 tbsp unsalted butter, cubed
- 1/2 cup heavy cream, warmed
- 1/2–3/4 tsp flaky sea salt, to taste
Instructions
- Heat oven to 350°F (177°C). Line an 8-inch square pan with parchment, leaving overhang on two sides for easy lifting.
- Stir melted butter, sugar, vanilla, and salt. Add flour and mix until a soft dough forms. Press evenly into the pan and bake 15 minutes; set aside.
- Toss sliced apples with flour, sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and a pinch of salt until evenly coated.
- Combine oats, brown sugar, cinnamon, and flour. Cut in cold butter until coarse crumbs form.
- Layer apples snugly over the warm crust, pressing down. Top evenly with streusel.
- Bake 30–35 minutes until topping is golden and apples are tender. Cool 20 minutes, then chill at least 2 hours.
- In a saucepan, cook sugar over medium heat until melted and amber. Whisk in butter until smooth, then slowly whisk in warmed cream; simmer 30–60 seconds. Off heat, stir in flaky sea salt. Cool slightly.
- Lift bars from pan, cut into 12–16 squares, and drizzle with salted caramel. Add extra flaky salt if desired.
Notes
- Pack apples tightly for a thick apple layer.
- Chill before slicing for neat edges.
- Store chilled and enjoy cold or rewarm briefly.
- For chewier oats, increase oats to 1 cup and reduce flour by 2 tbsp in the streusel.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 45-50 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American