I’d gone apple-picking with my family, and let’s just say we got a little carried away — there were apples everywhere!
I didn’t want to make yet another homemade apple pie (been there, done that), so I decided to make apple pie bars and drizzle them with delicious salted caramel instead.
This Recipe for Salted Caramel Apple Pie Bars Is The Best
- If the thought of rolling out pie dough or perfecting a lattice top makes you break into a cold sweat, these bars are your best friend. You get all the flavor and charm of apple pie but with way less fuss!
- Who can resist spiced apples, crumbly streusel, and caramel? Exactly — no one! These bars hit the sweet spot between comfort food and gourmet dessert and steal the spotlight wherever they go.
- Want to find something for a casual family movie night, a fancy holiday dinner, or simply to wow everyone at a potluck? It doesn’t matter which occasion you have in mind; these bars will fit the bill nonetheless! Plus, they’re easy to slice and share — 100% picnic and bake sale-approved.
8 Easy Steps to Make Salted Caramel Apple Pie Bars
Step 1. Warm Things Up
First, turn on your oven and set it to 300°F (149°C). While it’s heating, grab an 8” square pan and line it with parchment paper. Make sure you leave extra hanging over the sides; trust me, that little detail will save you later when it’s time to pull the bars out.
Are you done? Great! Set the pan aside. We’ve got some serious baking to do next.
Step 2. Build The Crust
In a medium bowl, mix melted butter, vanilla, sugar, and a pinch of salt. Once it’s all velvety and combined, stir in your flour until you’ve got a smooth, doughy mixture.
Take this delicious dough and press it firmly into the pan. You want it to cover the bottom evenly — it’s going to be the foundation of your masterpiece. Slide it into the oven for a quick bake (about 15 minutes usually does it for me).
Let’s move on to the streusel and apple pie filling!
Step 3. Prepare The Apple Pie Filling
Now for the stars of the show: sweet apples.
Choose a crisp variety (Granny Smiths are always a good call) and slice them thin. Toss these slices into a large bowl, then add a bit of flour, cinnamon, sugar, and nutmeg. Stir everything together until these apples are coated in a sweet, spicy mixture that smells amazing. Set it aside to let the flavors mingle.
Step 4. Create The Streusel
In a separate bowl, combine old-fashioned oats, flour, brown sugar, and cinnamon.
Now, grab your butter (it needs to be cold for this step), cut it into small chunks, and then work it into the dry mixture. You can use a fork, pastry cutter, or even just your hands until the texture yields coarse crumbs that look like little buttery pebbles. Set it aside for now.
Step 5. Assemble and Layer
Turn up the oven to 350°F (177°C). The crust mixture from Step 2 should be just about ready for its next layer!
Start by piling the apple slices atop this warm crust. Don’t worry if it feels like you’re overloading it; the more, the better! Press the apples down gently so they fit snugly. Next, sprinkle the streusel over the apples and make sure to cover every inch.
Now, it’s time for the final bake (about 30 to 35 minutes). Keep an eye on it — the streusel should turn a lovely golden brown! At that point, the aroma wafting from your oven will have everyone asking, “What’s that amazing smell?”
Step 6. Cool Down and Chill Out
Once it’s out of the oven, let your creation rest on the counter for about 20 minutes. After that, place it in the fridge for a couple of hours to firm up. If you can leave it overnight, even better — it’ll be easier to cut and serve.
Step 7. Slice and Finish
Here’s where you will understand why the parchment paper overhang is our best friend. Use it to lift the whole apple dessert out of your baking pan, then place it on a cutting board and slice it. Either go for 16 small bars for bite-sized treats or 12 larger pieces if you’re feeling generous!
Finally, drizzle each bar with salted caramel sauce. Feel free to go wild!
Step 8. Enjoy the Bliss
There are plenty of choices for you: serve them warm, completely chilled for a firmer bite, or at room temp to get the best of both worlds.
However you decide to eat them, one thing’s for sure: they’re going to disappear fast. So grab one (or two) and savor the sweet, buttery, caramel-y magic you just created!
Prefer cupcakes to bars? Try my classic apple pie cupcakes instead.
Extra Notes for Homemade Salted Caramel Apple Pie Bars
1. The Kinds of Apples Matter
Mix up different apple varieties to get the best balance of tart and sweet! Granny Smith apples are great for their firmness and tang, while Honeycrisp or Fuji add a lovely natural sweetness.
2. Add Some Crunch
Still want to take these bars up several notches higher? Toss a handful of chopped pecans or walnuts into the streusel! Mark my words; the nutty flavor will pair beautifully with the buttery crust and caramel drizzle.
3. Homemade Caramel for the Win
If you’ve never made salted caramel at home, now’s your chance! It’s surprisingly easy, and the flavor is leagues above store-bought. Plus, you can customize the salt level to your taste!
Let me show you how:
- Grab a medium-sized, heavy-bottomed saucepan. Pour in the sugar and heat it over medium heat. Stir constantly with a heatproof spatula or wooden spoon as the sugar begins to melt. It’ll clump up at first, but don’t panic! Keep stirring, and it will eventually smooth out into a deep amber liquid.
- Once the sugar is fully melted, carefully add the butter pieces. (It might bubble aggressively, so watch your hands!) Stir until the butter is completely melted and combined with the sugar.
- Slowly pour in the heavy cream while continuing to stir. The mixture will bubble up again — that’s normal! Keep stirring until the cream is fully incorporated and the sauce is smooth.
- Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the sea salt. Taste and adjust if you want it saltier. Let the sauce cool slightly before using it on your bars.
FAQs
Can I make them gluten-free?
Yes! Use a good gluten-free flour blend that includes xanthan gum for the crust and streusel. Also, be sure to pick certified gluten-free oats to keep these pie bars safe for anyone with gluten sensitivities.
How should I store them?
Place these bars in an airtight container and store them in the fridge. They’ll stay fresh for up to three days. And what if you want to make them ahead? No problems; freeze them for 3 months at best. When in need, thaw them overnight in the refrigerator before serving.
What if I want to switch up the fruit?
Go for it! Pears, peaches, or even a mix of berries can work beautifully. Still, remember to tweak the sugar and spices in my recipe a little so they can complement your chosen fruit.
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Have fun with these apple layers!
Salted Caramel Apple Pie Bars
Ingredients
Crust Ingredients
- 8 tbsp melted unsalted butter
- ¼ cup white sugar
- ¼ tsp salt
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup spooned and leveled all-purpose flour
Apple Filling Ingredients
- 2 fresh apples, thinly sliced and peeled
- 2 tbsp granulated sugar
- 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
- ⅛ tsp ground nutmeg
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
Streusel Ingredients
- ½ cup whole rolled oats
- ⅓ cup packed dark or light brown sugar
- ¼ cup spooned and leveled all-purpose flour
- ¼ tsp ground cinnamon
- 4 tbsp unsalted, cubed, chilled butter
- Store-bought caramel sauce
Instructions
- Set your oven to 300°F (149°C). Grab an 8-inch square pan and prep it with parchment paper. Make sure you leave extra hanging over the sides. Set the pan aside.
Traditional Pie Crust
- In a medium bowl, mix melted butter, vanilla, sugar, and a teaspoon of salt. Once combined, stir in your flour until you’ve got a smooth, doughy mixture.
- Press the dough firmly into your prepared baking pan and cover the bottom evenly. Slide it into the preheated oven for a quick bake (about 15 minutes).
Apple Filling
- Choose a crisp variety (like Granny Smiths) and slice them thin. Toss these slices into a large bowl, then flour, cinnamon, sugar, and nutmeg. Stir everything together until these medium apples are coated. Set it aside.
Streusel
- In a separate bowl, combine oats, flour, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Grab your butter (it needs to be cold), cut it into small chunks, and then work it into the dry mixture until the texture turns crumbly. Set it aside.
Assemble and Serve
- Turn up the oven to 350°F (177°C). Pile the apple slices atop your warm crust (from Step 2) and press the apples down gently so they fit snugly. Sprinkle the streusel over the apples and make sure to cover every inch.
- Bake for about 30-35 minutes until your streusel turns golden brown. Take it out of the oven.
- Let it rest on the counter for about 20 minutes, then refrigerate it for a couple of hours to firm up. (If you can leave it overnight, even better.)
- Lift the whole dessert out of your baking pan and slice it into 16 small or 12 large squares. Drizzle each square with salted caramel sauce. Enjoy!
Notes
- Combine tart Granny Smith apples (for tanginess and firmness) with sweet varieties like Honeycrisp or Fuji to create a perfectly balanced flavor.
- You can mix chopped pecans or walnuts into the streusel topping. The nutty crunch will complement the buttery crust and caramel beautifully.
- To make salted caramel, melt sugar into an amber liquid, stir in butter, then mix in heavy cream and sea salt. It’s better than the store-bought kind.
