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Caramel Apple Pie Bars – An Easy Recipe Made With Fresh Apples

With apple harvest season in full swing, it is time to pull out some of our favorite apple recipes, including this Caramel Apple Pie Bars recipe.

An easy to make shortbread crust that is layered with a homemade apple pie filling and then topped with cinnamon sugar crumb topping.

But let’s not stop there! When you are ready to serve this delicious dessert, drizzle the top with warm caramel for a Fall dessert that everyone will love!

Best of all, this recipe requires only 8 basic ingredients, most of which you will already have in your kitchen. So that means no running to the grocery store with a long list of hard to find ingredients.

apple pie bars
Apple pie bars cut and drizzled with warm caramel sauce which makes for the perfect Fall dessert.

Caramel Apple Pie Bars Recipe

INGREDIENTS

Although it appears that there a lot of ingredients, in reality there are only 8 ingredients required to make this recipe. However, I have broken down each step of the recipe so that you know which ingredients are required for each step.

Crust Ingredients
  • Unsalted butter, melted
  • Granulated sugar
  • Pure vanilla extract
  • Salt
  • All-purpose flour
Apple Filling Ingredients
  • Granny Smith apples
  • All-purpose flour
  • Granulated sugar
  • Ground cinnamon
sliced granny smith apples
Although you can use whatever type of apples that you prefer, Granny Smith apples hold up nicely when baked.
Crumb Topping Ingredients
  • All-purpose flour
  • Granulated sugar
  • Cinnamon
  • Unsalted butter

INSTRUCTIONS

The first step in making apple pie bars is to preheat the oven and prepare the baking pan. Do this by lining the bottom and sides of an 8-inch square baking pan with parchment paper, leaving enough paper to overhang on at least two sides.

You will use the overhang to remove the bars from the pan after they have been baked.

Shortbread Crust

Next, prepare the crust. In a medium bowl stir the melted butter, granulated sugar, vanilla, and salt together until incorporated.

Then slowly add the flour and mix until everything is combined. Expect the dough to look crumbly.

Next, evenly press the shortbread crust mixture into the bottom of the prepared baking pan.

shortbread crust
Shortbread crust formed in a parchment paper lined baking dish. Be sure to let the paper overhang on at least two sides so that the apple pie bars can easily be removed once baked.

Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 15 minutes. In the mean time, prepare the filling for the apple pie bars.

Apple Pie Bar Filling

Although you can use any variety of apple that is meant for baking, I prefer to use Granny Smith apples. They hold up well to the baking process and have great flavor that is complimented perfectly by the other ingredients.

To prepare the apples start by peeling, coring and slicing the apples. The apple slices should be about 1/4 inch in thickness for even baking. Set aside.

Then in a large bowl whisk the flour, sugar, and cinnamon together. Be sure to continue to whisk until no clumps of flour are visible.

Then add the apple slices and stir until all of the apples are evenly coated in the flour mixture. Set aside.

coated apple slices for apple pie bars
Homemade apple pie bar filling. Quick, easy and delicious!

Crumb Topping

Next, prepare the crumb topping. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, and cinnamon.

Then cut the chilled butter into the mixture with a pastry cutter or use two forks. Continue to work the butter into the dry mixture until coarse crumbs form. Set aside.

When the crust is finished cooking, remove it from the oven and increase the oven temperature. Then carefully place the apples on top of the warm crust in an even layer.

You may need to press the apples slightly into the crust. Then evenly sprinkle the topping over the apples.

Baking Time

Place the baking dish back into the oven and bake for 35-40 minutes or until the crumb topping is golden brown.

Remove the apple pie bars from the oven and place the pan on a cooling rack. Let the apple pie bars cool to room temperature.

crumb topping
Be sure to continue to cut the butter into the flour and sugar mixture until it becomes coarse crumbs.

Then cover and place the pan in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours or up to overnight.

When you are ready to serve, use the edge of the parchment paper to lift the bars out of the pan. Cut them into 16 even squares.

Before serving place the bars on a serving platter and drizzle warm caramel sauce on top of the apple pie bars.

Then store any leftovers in the refrigerator or in an air-tight container at room temperature.

Other Favorite Apple Recipes

caramel apple pie bars
Warm caramel drizzled on top of apple pie bars.

Enjoy! Mary

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Yield: 16

Caramel Apple Pie Bars

caramel apple pie bars

All the flavors of an apple pie but made into easy to make, apple pie bars which are then drizzled with warm caramel sauce.

Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 5 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 tsp. pure vanilla extract
  • 1/4 tsp. salt
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour

Apple Filling

  • 2 large Granny Smith apples, peeled and thinly sliced
  • 2 TBSP. all-purpose flour
  • 2 TBSP. granulated sugar
  • 1 tsp. ground cinnamon

Topping

  • 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 3/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 tsp. cinnamon
  • 1/2 cup of unsalted butter
  • 1/2 cup caramel sauce

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 300°F (149°C). Line the bottom and sides of an 8-inch square baking pan with parchment paper, leaving enough to overhang on at least two sides.
  2. Prepare the Crust: In a medium bowl stir the melted butter, granulated sugar, vanilla, and salt together until incorporated. Slowly add the flour and mix until everything is combined. The dough will be crumbly. Press the mixture into the bottom of the prepared baking pan. Bake for 15 minutes.
  3. Prepare the Apple Filling: In a large bowl whisk the flour, sugar, and cinnamon together. Add the apple slices and stir until all of the apples are evenly coated. Set aside.
  4. Prepare the Topping: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, and cinnamon. Cut in the chilled butter with a pastry blender or use two forks. Continue to work the butter in the dry mixture until coarse crumbs form. Set aside.
  5. When the crust is finish cooking, remove it from the oven and increase the temperature to 350°F (177°C). Place the apples on top of the warm crust in an even layer. Then sprinkle the topping over the apples. Bake for 35-40 minutes or until the topping is golden brown.
  6. Remove the apple pie bars from the oven and place the pan on a cooling rack until the pan is at room temperature. Then cover and place the pan in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours or up to overnight.
  7. Using the edge of the parchment paper, lift the bars out of the pan. Cut them into 16 squares. Place the bars on a serving platter and drizzle warm caramel sauce on top of each one. 

Store in the refrigerator or in an air-tight container at room temperature.

Notes

Recipe provided by Make Your Meals

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

16

Serving Size:

1

Amount Per Serving: Calories: 226Total Fat: 12gSaturated Fat: 7gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 31mgSodium: 39mgCarbohydrates: 29gFiber: 1gSugar: 17gProtein: 2g

Nutritional Information is to be used as a general guideline only . Nutritional calculations will vary from the types and brands of the products used.

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