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Salted Caramel Apple Crumble Bars Fall Treat Recipe

Salted Caramel Apple Crumble Bars Fall Treat Recipe

4.9 from 8 reviews

Delight in these Salted Caramel Apple Crumble Bars, a perfect fall treat combining tender spiced apples with a buttery crumble topping and rich salted caramel drizzle. Ideal for cozy gatherings or a sweet snack, these bars balance sweet and salty flavors with a crisp, crumbly texture.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Crumble Base and Topping

  • 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, melted
  • 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

For the Apple Filling

  • 3 cups peeled and thinly sliced apples (about 3 medium apples)
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1/2 cup salted caramel sauce

Instructions

  1. Prep the Oven and Pan: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a 9×13 inch baking pan with parchment paper to prevent sticking and make removing the bars easier after baking.
  2. Make the Crumble Mixture: In a large bowl, combine the melted unsalted butter, granulated sugar, vanilla extract, and salt. Stir in the all-purpose flour until the mixture becomes crumbly.
  3. Form the Crust: Press about two-thirds of the crumble mixture evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan, forming a solid crust layer.
  4. Prepare the Apples: In a separate bowl, toss the peeled and thinly sliced apples with ground cinnamon and nutmeg until well coated.
  5. Assemble the Filling: Spread the spiced apple mixture evenly over the crust in the pan, then drizzle the salted caramel sauce over the apples.
  6. Add the Crumble Topping: Crumble the remaining one-third of the crumble mixture evenly over the top of the apples and caramel.
  7. Bake: Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 40-45 minutes, or until the topping turns golden brown and the apples are tender when pierced with a fork.
  8. Cool and Serve: Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan to set the layers properly before cutting into squares and serving.

Notes

  • Use tart apples like Granny Smith for a nice balance against the sweetness of the caramel.
  • Ensure the apples are thinly sliced to promote even cooking during baking.
  • Allow bars to cool fully to prevent them from falling apart when sliced.
  • Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for up to a week.
  • To make salted caramel sauce from scratch, combine sugar, butter, heavy cream, and sea salt, simmering until thickened.

Nutrition

Keywords: salted caramel, apple crumble bars, fall dessert, apple dessert, caramel apple bars, crumble topping, easy dessert, autumn treat