Why Make This Recipe
You’ve probably wondered how to take your standard apple pie game to the next level. Spoiler alert: these Salted Caramel Apple Pie Bars are the way to do it. Imagine biting into a sweet, buttery crust, perfectly layered with cinnamon-spiced apples, all finished off with a generous drizzle of velvety salted caramel. Sounds epic, right?
These bars aren’t just your average dessert. They pack in the cozy flavors of fall, making them irresistible during those chilly nights. Plus, they’re easy to cut into portions, making sharing (or not sharing) a total breeze. 😊
How to Make Salted Caramel Apple Pie Bars
Alright, let’s get to the fun part! Making these bars involves a couple of simple steps. Here’s the breakdown:
Prep Your Oven and Pan: Preheat that oven to 350℉. Spray a 9×13 pan with nonstick spray and line it with parchment paper. Leave some overhang—after all, we want easier slicing later!
Apple Filling: Toss your sliced apples with lemon juice, flour, brown sugar, and spices in a medium bowl. Don’t break those apple slices; they deserve some respect! Set it aside and let those flavors mingle.
Crust and Topping: Melt your butter in a large bowl, then stir in the rest of the crust ingredients. It’s about to get tasty!
Assemble It All: Reserve two cups of the mixture for later. Press the remaining mixture into your pan, layer on the apple filling, and sprinkle the reserved crust on top.
Bake It Up: Pop those bars in the oven for 38 to 45 minutes. The topping should be golden, and your apples will be tender. Time to make that caramel sauce while they bake!
Cool and Slice: Let those bars cool on a wire rack for about 1-2 hours before slicing them up. Patience is key!
Serve It Right: Drizzle your salted caramel over the bars when you’re ready to serve.
Ingredients
Here’s what you’ll need to whip up your Salted Caramel Apple Pie Bars:
- 5 medium apples, sliced between 1/8" and 1/4" thick (744 grams sliced)
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 3 tbsp all-purpose flour (21 grams)
- 1/3 cup light brown sugar, packed (73 grams)
- 1 tbsp cinnamon (7 grams)
- 3/8 tsp nutmeg
- 1/4 tsp allspice
- 1/4 tsp ground cloves
- Pinch of salt
- 1 and 1/2 cups salted butter, melted (340 grams, or 24 tbsp)
- 3 cups all-purpose flour, spooned & leveled or weighed out (390 grams)
- 2 cups old-fashioned whole rolled oats (195 grams)
- 1 and 1/2 cups light brown sugar, packed (330 grams)
- 1 and 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 cup granulated sugar (210 grams)
- 6 tbsp salted butter, cubed (85 grams)
- 1/2 cup + 1 tbsp heavy cream (135 grams)
- Pinch of fine sea salt
How to Serve Salted Caramel Apple Pie Bars
These bars are super versatile! You can serve them warm, at room temperature, or straight from the fridge. Just slice them up and drizzle on that luscious salted caramel sauce. Feeling fancy? Top with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream. Your taste buds will thank you!
How to Store Salted Caramel Apple Pie Bars
To keep those bars fresh and delicious, pop them in an airtight container and store them in the fridge. They’ll last about 3-4 days. If you’ve got extra caramel, toss that in a jar and store it in the fridge too. Trust me, you’ll find a use for it!
Tips to Make Salted Caramel Apple Pie Bars
- Choose the Right Apples: Go for a mix of sweet and tart apples like Granny Smith and Honeycrisp. The flavor will be on point! 🍏
- Don’t Skip the Chill Time: Letting the bars cool before slicing makes a huge difference. You’ll avoid a messy situation!
- Pre-cut Your Pieces: If you’re serving at a gathering, consider slicing the bars beforehand. They’ll be an instant hit!
Variation
Feeling adventurous? Try adding chopped walnuts or pecans to the crust for an added crunch. You can also switch up the spices; a hint of cardamom works wonders. Get creative!
FAQs
1. Can I use store-bought caramel instead of making my own?
Absolutely! Save time by grabbing a jar of your favorite caramel sauce. Just remember to add that pinch of sea salt for the salted twist!
2. What’s the best way to reheat these bars?
Pop them in the microwave for about 20-30 seconds. They’ll taste like fresh out of the oven!
3. Can I freeze these bars?
Yes, you can! Just wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer-safe container. They’ll keep for about 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge when you’re ready to enjoy!
Now go on, give these Salted Caramel Apple Pie Bars a try! Your taste buds will thank you (and so will your friends). 😋
Salted Caramel Apple Pie Bars
Ingredients
Method
- Preheat the oven to 350℉. Spray a 9x13 pan with nonstick spray and line it with parchment paper, leaving some overhang for easy slicing.
- In a medium bowl, toss sliced apples with lemon juice, flour, brown sugar, and spices. Set aside to let flavors mingle.
- In a large bowl, melt the butter, then stir in the remaining crust ingredients.
- Reserve 2 cups of the crust mixture for topping. Press the remaining mixture into the pan, layer with apple filling, and sprinkle reserved crust on top.
- Bake for 38 to 45 minutes until the topping is golden and apples are tender.
- While baking, prepare the caramel sauce.
- Let the bars cool on a wire rack for 1-2 hours before slicing.
- Drizzle the salted caramel over the bars when ready to serve.