Salted Caramel Apple Pie Bars
These salted caramel apple pie bars combine a crisp, buttery shortbread crust with a tender, spiced apple filling and a luscious layer of gooey salted caramel. Perfectly balanced with a touch of sea salt, these bars offer all the cozy flavors of classic apple pie in an easy-to-serve, portable form. Ideal for fall gatherings, potlucks, or a comforting homemade dessert.
Equipment
- 9×13-inch baking pan
- Mixing bowls
- Pastry cutter or food processor (for crust)
- Sharp knife or mandoline (for slicing apples)
- Measuring Cups and Spoons
- Spatula or spoon for spreading caramel
- Cooling rack
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ¼ tsp salt
- 5–6 medium apples (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp), peeled, cored, and thinly sliced
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- ¼ tsp ground nutmeg
- ½ cup brown sugar, packed
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 cup salted caramel sauce (homemade or store-bought)
- Flaky sea salt (for sprinkling, optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease or line your baking pan with parchment.
- In a bowl or food processor, combine flour, sugar, and salt. Cut in the cold butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Press evenly into the pan to form the crust. Optionally, pre-bake crust for 10–12 minutes until lightly golden.
- In a large bowl, toss sliced apples with cinnamon, nutmeg, brown sugar, and lemon juice until well coated.
- Spread the apple mixture evenly over the crust.
- Warm caramel sauce slightly and drizzle evenly over the apples. Use a spatula to gently spread if needed.
- Bake for 35–40 minutes until caramel is bubbly and crust edges are golden.
- Remove from oven and let cool completely on a rack. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours before slicing to let caramel set.
- Sprinkle with flaky sea salt if desired, slice into bars, and serve.
Notes
- Use firm apples that hold shape during baking to avoid mushy filling.
- Chilling the bars before cutting prevents caramel from sticking and helps clean slices.
- Homemade caramel sauce elevates flavor but store-bought works well for convenience.
- For added texture, sprinkle chopped nuts or a crumb topping before baking.
- Store bars in an airtight container in the fridge up to 5 days or freeze for up to 3 months.
- Reheat gently before serving for a warm, gooey treat.