There’s magic in fall baking, and for me, it’s captured in this very recipe. I developed these Salted Caramel Apple Crumble Bars wanting the comfort of apple crumble in a simple, shareable bar. You’ll love the symphony of textures: a buttery shortbread crust, soft spiced apples, and a crunchy oat crumble, all tied together with a gooey salted caramel drizzle. It’s all the flavor of a classic pie without the fuss.
Ingredients
For the Crust
- 1 ½ cups All-Purpose Flour
- ¾ cup Brown Sugar, packed
- ½ teaspoon Salt
- 1 ½ sticks (6oz) Unsalted Butter, cold and diced
For the Crumble Topping
- ½ cup Oats, Old Fashioned or Quick-Cooking
- ¼ teaspoon Ground Cinnamon
- ⅛ teaspoon Ground Cloves
- ⅛ teaspoon Ground Allspice
For the Apple Filling
- 3 Medium Cooking Apples (about 4 cups), like Granny Smith, sliced into ¼” pieces
- ¼ cup All-Purpose Flour
- ¼ cup Brown Sugar, packed
- ½ teaspoon Ground Cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon Ground Cloves
- ¼ teaspoon Ground Allspice
For Serving
- Homemade Salted Caramel or a quality store-bought version
- Vanilla Ice Cream
How to Make the Salted Caramel Apple Crumble Bars
Follow these straightforward steps for a perfect pan of crumble bars every time.
Step 1: Prepare the Crust and Crumble
First, preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line an 8×8 inch pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang to lift the bars out later. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, brown sugar, and salt. Then, cut in the cold butter with a pastry cutter or your fingertips until it resembles coarse crumbs. Set aside ¾ cup of this mixture in a separate bowl, stir in the oats and spices for the crumble, and place it in the fridge to keep cold.
Step 2: Assemble and Bake
Press the remaining crust mixture firmly into the bottom of your prepared pan and pre-bake for 15 minutes. While it bakes, gently toss the sliced apples with the flour, brown sugar, and spices in a large bowl. Spread the apple filling evenly over the warm crust, then sprinkle with the chilled crumble topping. Bake for another 30-35 minutes, until the filling is bubbly and the crumble is golden brown.
Step 3: Cool, Drizzle, and Serve
Let the bars cool completely in the pan on a wire rack. This is essential for them to set properly. Once cooled, lift them out using the parchment, drizzle generously with salted caramel, slice into squares, and serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
My Best Salted Caramel Apple Crumble Bars Tips
Here are a few personal tricks to guarantee your success.
Don’t Skip Chilling the Crumble
My number one tip is to refrigerate the crumble topping. This ensures the butter stays cold, creating a much crunchier, more distinct texture when baked.
The Secret to a Non-Soggy Crust
Pre-baking the crust is non-negotiable. This 15-minute step creates a barrier that prevents the apple filling from making the base soft, guaranteeing a firm, buttery foundation.
Patience is Key: Let Them Cool Completely
I know it’s tempting, but you must let the bars cool completely to room temperature. This allows the filling to set, so you can get clean, perfect squares instead of a gooey mess.
Variations of Salted Caramel Apple Crumble Bars
One of the best things about this recipe is how easily you can adapt it. For an extra layer of flavor and crunch, try adding a handful of chopped pecans or walnuts to the crumble topping. If you want to add a deeper, nuttier flavor profile, simply brown the butter for the crust and crumble before mixing it in. You can also get creative with spices by adding a pinch of cardamom to the apple filling or a little ground ginger to the crumble for a new dimension of flavor.
FAQs
What are the best apples to use?
A firm, tart apple like Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or Braeburn is best, as it holds its shape during baking and balances the sweetness.
Can I use store-bought caramel sauce?
Absolutely. A thick, good-quality store-bought caramel is a great time-saver. Just warm it slightly before drizzling to get the right consistency.
How do I properly store these bars?
You can keep them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days or in the refrigerator for up to five days.
Can I make these ahead of time?
Yes, this is a great recipe to make a day in advance. Store them covered at room temperature and slice just before serving to keep them fresh.
Print
Salted Caramel Apple Crumble Bars
- Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
- Yield: 16 bars 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Indulge in the ultimate fall treat with these Salted Caramel Apple Crumble Bars! Featuring a buttery shortbread crust, a layer of tender, warmly spiced apples, and a crunchy oat crumble topping, each bite is pure comfort. A final drizzle of gooey salted caramel makes these bars an unforgettable dessert that’s easier to make and share than a traditional apple pie.
Ingredients
For the Crust
1½ cups All-Purpose Flour
¾ cup Brown Sugar, packed
½ teaspoon Salt
1½ sticks (6oz) Unsalted Butter, cold and diced
For the Crumble Topping
½ cup Oats, Old Fashioned or Quick-Cooking
¼ teaspoon Ground Cinnamon
⅛ teaspoon Ground Cloves
⅛ teaspoon Ground Allspice
For the Apple Filling
3 Medium Cooking Apples (about 4 cups), like Granny Smith, sliced into ¼” pieces
¼ cup All-Purpose Flour
¼ cup Brown Sugar, packed
½ teaspoon Ground Cinnamon
¼ teaspoon Ground Cloves
¼ teaspoon Ground Allspice
For Serving
Homemade Salted Caramel or a quality store-bought version
Vanilla Ice Cream
Instructions
Prepare the Crust and Crumble
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line an 8×8 inch pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang to lift the bars out later. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, brown sugar, and salt. Cut in the cold butter with a pastry cutter or your fingertips until it resembles coarse crumbs. Set aside ¾ cup of this mixture in a separate bowl. To that separate bowl, stir in the oats and spices for the crumble, then place it in the fridge to keep cold.
Assemble and Bake
Press the remaining crust mixture firmly and evenly into the bottom of your prepared pan. Pre-bake the crust for 15 minutes. While it bakes, gently toss the sliced apples with the flour, brown sugar, and spices in a large bowl. Spread the apple filling evenly over the warm crust, then sprinkle with the chilled crumble topping. Bake for another 30-35 minutes, until the filling is bubbly and the crumble is golden brown.
Cool, Drizzle, and Serve
Let the bars cool completely in the pan on a wire rack. This is an essential step to ensure they set properly and can be sliced cleanly. Once cooled, lift the bars out of the pan using the parchment paper overhang. Drizzle generously with salted caramel, slice into squares, and serve, preferably with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
Notes
Best Apples to Use:
Firm, tart apples like Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or Braeburn are ideal as they hold their shape and their tartness balances the sweetness of the bars.
The Secret to a Crunchy Topping:
Don’t skip chilling the crumble topping. Keeping the butter cold is key to achieving a crunchy, distinct crumble texture rather than a soft one.
Prevent a Soggy Crust:
Pre-baking the crust for 15 minutes is crucial. It creates a firm base that prevents the moisture from the apple filling from making it soggy.
Patience is a Virtue:
Allow the bars to cool completely to room temperature before slicing. This gives the filling time to set, guaranteeing clean, perfect squares.
Storage:
Store the bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 245
- Sugar: 20
- Sodium: 85
- Fat: 11
- Saturated Fat: 7
- Unsaturated Fat: 4
- Carbohydrates: 35
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 2
- Cholesterol: 28
Keywords: salted caramel apple bars, apple crumble bars, apple crisp bars, apple dessert bars, fall baking, autumn recipe, easy apple dessert, shortbread crust, oat crumble topping
