Salted Caramel Apple Pie Bars Recipe

Craving something sweet and seasonal but don’t want the hassle of making a full pie? Enter Salted Caramel Apple Pie Bars! These bars have all the flavors of a classic apple pie, including a buttery shortbread crust, cinnamon-spiced apples, and a rich salted caramel drizzle—all in an easy-to-make, portable format. Perfect for parties, gatherings, or just indulging in a cozy fall dessert, these bars are sure to become a family favorite. Best of all, they’re much simpler than making a traditional pie but still pack all the flavor and texture of your favorite fall dessert.

What are Salted Caramel Apple Pie Bars?

Salted Caramel Apple Pie Bars are essentially a deconstructed apple pie in a bar form. They consist of three delicious layers: a buttery shortbread crust, a layer of spiced, tender apples, and a crumbly streusel topping. After baking, the bars are drizzled with homemade (or store-bought) salted caramel sauce. The combination of tart apples, rich caramel, and a hint of salt makes for a balanced, irresistible treat.

Ingredients List for Salted Caramel Apple Pie Bars

To make these decadent caramel apple pie bars, here’s a list of all the ingredients you’ll need for the crust, apple filling, and streusel topping, plus the caramel drizzle.

For the Shortbread Crust:

• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• ½ cup granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• ¼ teaspoon salt

For the Apple Filling:

• 4 medium apples (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp), peeled, cored, and thinly sliced
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• ¼ cup granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg (optional)
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice

For the Streusel Topping:

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• ½ cup brown sugar, packed
• ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ½ cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed

For the Salted Caramel Sauce:

• ½ cup granulated sugar
• ¼ cup unsalted butter
• ¼ cup heavy cream
• ½ teaspoon sea salt (or to taste)
  Note: You can also use store-bought salted caramel sauce if you're short on time.

Substitutions and Variations

Want to customize your salted caramel apple pie bars? Here are a few substitutions and variations you can try:

• Gluten-Free: Use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend instead of regular all-purpose flour for both the crust and the streusel topping.
• Dairy-Free: Substitute plant-based butter in both the crust and topping, and use coconut cream in place of heavy cream for the caramel sauce.
• Oat Streusel: For a heartier topping, replace ½ cup of flour in the streusel with old-fashioned rolled oats.
• Nutty Addition: Add ½ cup of chopped pecans or walnuts to the streusel topping for a crunchy texture.
• Pumpkin Spice Variation: Swap out the cinnamon and nutmeg for a pumpkin spice blend to give your bars a seasonal twist.

Step-by-Step Cooking Instructions

Here’s the step-by-step process to make these delicious salted caramel apple pie bars:

1. Preheat the Oven:

• Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a 9x13-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving some overhang for easy removal later.

1. Prepare the Shortbread Crust:

• In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter, sugar, and vanilla extract until light and fluffy.
• Gradually add the flour and salt, mixing until just combined. The dough will be crumbly but should hold together when pressed.
• Press the dough evenly into the bottom of your prepared baking pan.
• Bake the crust for 15–18 minutes, or until it’s lightly golden and set. Remove from the oven and set aside to cool slightly.

1. Prepare the Apple Filling:

• While the crust bakes, peel, core, and thinly slice the apples.
• In a large mixing bowl, toss the apple slices with flour, sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg (if using), and lemon juice until the apples are well-coated.
• Set the apple mixture aside while you prepare the streusel topping.

1. Make the Streusel Topping:

• In another bowl, combine the flour, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Add the cold, cubed butter and use a pastry cutter or your fingers to work the butter into the dry ingredients until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
• If adding nuts, fold them into the streusel at this stage.

1. Assemble the Bars:

• Once the shortbread crust has cooled slightly, layer the apple filling evenly over the crust.
• Sprinkle the streusel topping generously over the apples, making sure to cover them as much as possible.
• Bake the bars in the preheated oven for 35–40 minutes, or until the apples are tender and the streusel is golden brown and crisp.

1. Prepare the Salted Caramel Sauce:

• While the bars are baking, prepare the salted caramel sauce. In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt the sugar, stirring continuously until it turns a deep amber color. Be careful not to let it burn.
• Once the sugar has melted, add the butter and whisk until fully combined. The mixture will bubble vigorously—this is normal.
• Slowly pour in the heavy cream, whisking constantly until the sauce is smooth. Stir in the sea salt and remove from heat.
• Let the caramel sauce cool for 10–15 minutes to thicken before using.

1. Cool the Bars:

• Once the bars are finished baking, remove them from the oven and allow them to cool in the pan for about 30 minutes.
• Once slightly cooled, drizzle the salted caramel sauce generously over the top. You can also save some caramel for serving if you want an extra drizzle later.

1. Cut and Serve:

• Once the bars have cooled completely, use the parchment paper overhang to lift them out of the pan. Cut into squares or rectangles.
• Serve warm or at room temperature with an extra drizzle of caramel sauce or a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

How to Cook Salted Caramel Apple Pie Bars: A Step-by-Step Guide

Here are a few key tips to make sure your salted caramel apple pie bars come out perfect:

• Don’t Overbake the Crust: The shortbread crust should be lightly golden but not overly browned. This ensures a buttery, tender base that holds up under the apples.
• Thinly Slice the Apples: Thinly slicing the apples allows them to cook evenly in the oven. Thicker slices may result in unevenly cooked apples, with some bites too firm.
• Don’t Skip the Lemon Juice: The lemon juice not only adds a bit of brightness to balance the sweetness, but it also prevents the apples from browning as you prepare the rest of the ingredients.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Burning the Caramel: When making caramel, keep a close eye on the sugar as it melts. Caramel can go from perfect to burnt in just a few seconds, so stir constantly and remove from heat once it reaches a rich amber color.
• Skipping the Parchment Paper: Lining the baking pan with parchment paper makes removing the bars much easier. Skipping this step can lead to sticking and difficulty when cutting the bars.
• Not Letting the Bars Cool: It’s tempting to cut into the bars immediately, but letting them cool fully allows the layers to set, making for cleaner slices.

Serving and Presentation Tips

These salted caramel apple pie bars are gorgeous on their own, but here are some ways to make them even more enticing:

• Serve Warm with Ice Cream: For an extra indulgent treat, serve the bars warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top.
• Drizzle Extra Caramel: Right before serving, drizzle a bit more salted caramel over the top for that extra “wow” factor.
• Sprinkle with Sea Salt: A light sprinkle of sea salt over the caramel adds a delicious contrast to the sweetness.

How to Serve Salted Caramel Apple Pie Bars

These bars can be served warm, room temperature, or chilled—depending on your preference. They’re great on their own but also pair beautifully with:

• Whipped Cream: A dollop of whipped cream on top adds a light and fluffy contrast.
• Vanilla Ice Cream: Warm salted caramel apple pie bars with a scoop of vanilla ice cream is the ultimate fall dessert pairing.
• Coffee or Apple Cider: These bars go perfectly with a hot cup of coffee or spiced apple cider.

Presentation Ideas for Salted Caramel Apple Pie Bars

• Rustic Style: Serve the bars on a wooden board for a rustic, farmhouse-style presentation that highlights the autumnal flavors.
• Drizzle Art: Use a fork or spoon to make delicate caramel drizzle designs over each bar just before serving.

Salted Caramel Apple Pie Bars Recipe Tips

• Make Ahead: You can make these bars a day or two in advance. Store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Add the caramel drizzle just before serving for best results.
• Freeze for Later: These bars freeze well! Simply cut them into squares, place them in an airtight container with layers of parchment paper between them, and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator and add caramel before serving.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Can I use store-bought caramel sauce?
Yes, store-bought salted caramel sauce works perfectly if you're short on time. Just warm it slightly before drizzling over the bars.

2. What are the best apples to use?
Granny Smith apples are ideal for their tart flavor, but Honeycrisp, Fuji, or Braeburn apples work well if you prefer a sweeter taste.

3. How do I store these bars?
Store the bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or refrigerate for up to 5 days. Reheat individual slices in the microwave for 15–20 seconds for a fresh-out-of-the-oven taste.

4. Can I make these bars gluten-free?
Yes! Just substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend that’s designed for baking.

Conclusion

These Salted Caramel Apple Pie Bars are the perfect fusion of buttery shortbread, tender spiced apples, and a decadent salted caramel drizzle. Whether you're making them for a fall gathering, holiday party, or just because, these bars are sure to be a hit. The layers of flavor and texture make them a satisfying alternative to traditional apple pie, with the added bonus of being much easier to prepare. Enjoy these sweet, salty, and spiced treats that capture the very essence of fall!

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