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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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

• Apple Crisp
• Instant Pot Apple Crisp
• Air Fryer Apple Fries
• Apple Cider Donuts
• Apple Cider Muffins
• Air Fryer Apple Fritters
• Apple Coffee Cake
• Slow Cooker Apple Butter
• Air Fryer Apple Hand Pies

Enjoy! Mary

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