These apple pie bars combine the warm, cozy flavors of a classic pie with the ease of a bar dessert. They’re perfect for serving a crowd, great for making ahead, and easy to transport. The salted caramel adds a rich, indulgent finish that balances beautifully with the tart apples and sweet crumble. Whether for potlucks, holiday parties, or a weekend treat, these bars are a guaranteed hit.
Ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
All-purpose flour
Granulated sugar
Brown sugar
Unsalted butter
Ground cinnamon
Ground nutmeg
Salt
Apples (Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or a mix)
Lemon juice
Cornstarch or flour (for thickening the filling)
Salted caramel sauce (store-bought or homemade)
Vanilla extract
Directions
Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper.
Make the crust: In a bowl, combine flour, sugar, and salt. Cut in cold butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Press the mixture evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan. Bake for 15–18 minutes, or until lightly golden. Let cool slightly.
Prepare the apple filling: Peel, core, and dice the apples. Toss them with lemon juice, sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and a bit of flour or cornstarch to thicken. Spread the apple mixture over the cooled crust.
Make the crumble topping: In another bowl, mix flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and butter until crumbly. Sprinkle evenly over the apple layer.
Bake the bars: Return the pan to the oven and bake for 35–40 minutes, or until the topping is golden and the apples are tender.
Cool and drizzle: Let the bars cool completely in the pan. Drizzle with salted caramel sauce before slicing into squares.
Servings and timing
This recipe makes approximately 20 bars. Prep time: 30 minutes Bake time: 50 minutes Cool time: 1 hour Total time: about 2 hours 20 minutes
Variations
Add nuts: Sprinkle chopped pecans or walnuts over the crumble for added crunch.
Use different apples: Try using a combination of tart and sweet apples for more depth of flavor.
Add oats: Mix rolled oats into the crumble topping for a heartier texture.
Gluten-free: Substitute a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend for the all-purpose flour.
Extra caramel: Swirl caramel into the apple layer before baking for a richer flavor throughout.
Storage/Reheating
Store the bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or refrigerate for up to 5 days. To reheat, microwave individual bars for 15–20 seconds, or warm them in a 300°F oven for 5–10 minutes. For longer storage, freeze the bars (without caramel drizzle) for up to 2 months. Thaw and drizzle with caramel before serving.
FAQs
Can I make these bars ahead of time?
Yes, these bars are ideal for making ahead. Bake and store them covered in the fridge, then drizzle with caramel just before serving.
What apples work best for these bars?
Granny Smith and Honeycrisp apples offer a good balance of tartness and sweetness, and they hold up well during baking.
Can I use store-bought caramel?
Absolutely. Store-bought salted caramel sauce works well and saves time, but homemade is also delicious if you have the time.
How do I keep the bars from becoming soggy?
Make sure the crust is baked until lightly golden before adding the apples, and let the bars cool completely to set properly.
Can I make these gluten-free?
Yes, just use a gluten-free flour blend in place of the all-purpose flour in both the crust and topping.
Can I double the recipe?
Yes, you can double the recipe and bake it in a larger pan or make two 9×13-inch batches.
Should I refrigerate the bars?
They can be stored at room temperature for a couple of days, but refrigeration will help them last longer and keep their shape better.
What’s the best way to slice the bars cleanly?
Let the bars cool completely, and use a sharp knife wiped clean between cuts for neat slices.
Can I add a bottom layer of caramel?
Yes, spreading a thin layer of caramel over the baked crust before adding the apples adds even more flavor.
Are these bars freezer-friendly?
Yes, freeze them without the caramel topping. Wrap tightly, freeze for up to 2 months, and thaw before drizzling and serving.
Conclusion
Salted Caramel Apple Pie Bars offer the delicious comfort of traditional apple pie in a more portable, crowd-friendly format. The combination of buttery crust, tender spiced apples, crunchy crumble, and gooey caramel is irresistible. Whether you’re baking for a party or just want something sweet with your coffee, these bars are a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.
Salted Caramel Apple Pie Bars are a handheld twist on classic apple pie, with layers of buttery shortbread crust, spiced apple filling, and cinnamon crumble topping, all finished with a drizzle of rich salted caramel.
Author:Catherine
Prep Time:30 minutes
Cook Time:50 minutes
Total Time:2 hours 20 minutes
Yield:20 bars
Category:Dessert
Method:Baking
Cuisine:American
Diet:Vegetarian
Ingredients
Crust:
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/4 tsp salt
1 cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed
Apple Filling:
4–5 medium apples (Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or mix), peeled and diced
2 tbsp lemon juice
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
2 tbsp all-purpose flour or cornstarch
Crumble Topping:
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed
Finishing:
1/2 cup salted caramel sauce (store-bought or homemade)
Instructions
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper.
Make the crust: In a bowl, combine flour, granulated sugar, and salt. Cut in the cold butter using a pastry cutter or fingers until crumbly. Press evenly into the prepared pan. Bake for 15–18 minutes until lightly golden. Let cool slightly.
Prepare the filling: In a large bowl, toss diced apples with lemon juice, sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and flour or cornstarch. Set aside.
Make the crumble: In a separate bowl, combine flour, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Cut in butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
Spread the apple filling over the cooled crust. Sprinkle crumble topping evenly over apples.
Bake for 35–40 minutes, or until topping is golden and apples are tender.
Let bars cool completely in the pan. Drizzle with salted caramel sauce before slicing.
Notes
Add chopped pecans or walnuts to the crumble for extra crunch.Mix rolled oats into the topping for a heartier texture.Use a mix of sweet and tart apples for depth of flavor.Freeze without caramel drizzle; thaw before serving and add caramel fresh.For extra richness, swirl caramel into the apple layer before baking.
