Description
Delight in these homemade Caramel Apple Bars, featuring a buttery crumb crust layered with spiced diced apples and finished with luscious caramel drizzle. Perfect as a cozy fall dessert or anytime treat, these bars offer a perfect balance of sweet and tart flavors with a tender, crumbly texture.
Ingredients
Scale
Crust and Topping
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup light brown sugar, packed
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter, melted
Apple Filling
- 3 large apples, peeled, cored, and diced (preferably Granny Smith)
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
Topping
- 1/2 cup caramel sauce (store-bought or homemade)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C). Prepare a 9×13-inch baking pan by lining it with parchment paper, ensuring to leave some overhang for easy removal of the bars later.
- Mix the crumb base: In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, granulated sugar, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Stir in the melted butter until the mixture forms coarse crumbs.
- Form the crust: Press half of this crumb mixture firmly into the bottom of the prepared pan to create a sturdy crust. Reserve the remaining crumbs for the topping.
- Prepare the apple filling: Toss the diced apples with granulated sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg until well coated.
- Assemble the bars: Spread the apple mixture evenly over the crust in the pan. Then sprinkle the remaining crumb mixture over the apples as a topping.
- Bake: Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 40-45 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the apples are tender.
- Cool: Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan to let the layers set properly.
- Drizzle caramel: Once cooled, drizzle the caramel sauce evenly over the top of the bars.
- Serve: Slice into 16 servings and enjoy your delicious caramel apple bars!
Notes
- For best results, use Granny Smith apples for a tart contrast to the sweet caramel and crumb topping.
- You can substitute store-bought caramel sauce with homemade caramel for a richer taste.
- Make sure the bars cool completely before drizzling caramel to prevent it from melting and running off.
- These bars can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerated for up to a week.
- Cutting the bars with a sharp knife dipped in hot water between cuts helps get cleaner slices.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
