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Salted Caramel Apple Bars – Irresistibly Sweet & Perfect for Fall

Celebrate autumn with these Irresistible Salted Caramel Apple Bars! Buttery crust, tender spiced apples, and a gooey salted caramel drizzle make these bars the ultimate fall dessert. Perfect for holiday gatherings, potlucks, or cozying up with a cup of coffee. Easy to make, shareable, and utterly delicious!
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Prep Time 30 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 45 minutes
Course Dessert, Snack
Cuisine American, Fall Baking
Servings 16 bars (depending on size)
Calories 320 kcal

Equipment

  • 8×8 or 9×13-inch baking pan
  • Parchment paper
  • Mixing bowls
  • Whisk
  • Spatula
  • Saucepan for caramel
  • Sharp knife
  • Cutting board
  • Measuring Cups and Spoons

Ingredients
  

Crust:

  • 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • ½ cup granulated sugar
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour

Apple Filling:

  • 4–5 medium apples (Honeycrisp, Gala, Fuji, Granny Smith)
  • ½ cup granulated sugar
  • 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp ground cinnamon
  • ½ tsp ground nutmeg

Streusel Topping:

  • ¾ cup old-fashioned oats
  • ½ cup brown sugar
  • ½ cup all-purpose flour
  • ½ cup unsalted butter, cold
  • ½ tsp cinnamon

Salted Caramel Drizzle:

  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 6 tbsp unsalted butter
  • ½ cup heavy cream
  • ½ tsp sea salt

Optional Mix-Ins/Variations:

  • Chopped pecans or walnuts
  • Dried cranberries
  • Chocolate chips

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line your baking pan with parchment paper.
  • Make the crust: Cream butter, sugar, and vanilla until fluffy. Mix in flour until combined. Press evenly into the prepared pan and pre-bake for 10–12 minutes.
  • Prepare apple filling: Peel, core, and slice apples. Toss with sugar, flour, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Set aside.
  • Make streusel topping: Combine oats, brown sugar, flour, cinnamon, and cold butter. Mix until crumbly.
  • Assemble bars: Layer pre-baked crust, apple filling, and streusel evenly on top.
  • Bake: 40–50 minutes, until edges are golden and center is set. Cool completely.
  • Prepare salted caramel: Melt sugar in a saucepan over medium heat until amber. Add butter, then heavy cream. Stir in sea salt. Let cool slightly.
  • Drizzle caramel over bars before slicing. Serve warm or at room temperature.

Notes

  • Use a mix of sweet and tart apples for depth of flavor.
  • Pre-baking the crust prevents sogginess.
  • Bars can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for 3 days, in the fridge for up to 1 week, or frozen for 3 months.
  • For a vegan version, substitute plant-based butter and non-dairy cream.
  • Experiment with mix-ins like nuts, dried fruit, or chocolate chips.
  • Caramel can be made ahead and drizzled just before serving.
Keyword Apple Bars, autumn baking, Fall Dessert, Holiday desserts, Homemade Caramel, salted caramel apple bars, Streusel Bars