Salted Caramel Apple Crumble Bars Fall Treat Recipe

These Salted Caramel Apple Crumble Bars combine the warm flavors of cinnamon-spiced apples with a buttery crumb and a luscious drizzle of salted caramel. Perfect for a cozy fall treat, they offer the best of apple dessert in an easy-to-share bar form.

Ingredients

• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, melted
• 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 3 cups peeled and thinly sliced apples (about 3 medium)
• 1/2 cup salted caramel sauce
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a 9×13 inch baking pan with parchment paper.
2. Step 2: In a large bowl, mix the melted butter, granulated sugar, vanilla extract, and salt until combined.
3. Step 3: Add the flour and stir until the mixture becomes crumbly. Press about two-thirds of this mixture evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan to form the crust.
4. Step 4: In a separate bowl, toss the sliced apples with cinnamon and nutmeg until well coated. Spread the apple mixture evenly over the crust in the pan.
5. Step 5: Drizzle the salted caramel sauce over the apples. Then crumble the remaining flour mixture evenly on top.
6. Step 6: Bake for 40 to 45 minutes, or until the topping turns golden brown and the apples feel tender when pierced.
7. Step 7: Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan before cutting into squares for serving.

Tips & Variations

• Use a mix of tart and sweet apples, such as Granny Smith and Fuji, for a balanced flavor and texture.
• For extra crunch, sprinkle chopped nuts like pecans or walnuts over the caramel before adding the crumble topping.
• Make your own salted caramel sauce or use store-bought for convenience—the flavor will be delicious either way.
• If you prefer a spicier note, add a pinch of ground cloves or ginger to the apple mixture.

Storage

Store the bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, refrigerate for up to one week. To reheat, warm individual bars in the microwave for 15-20 seconds or serve chilled—they’re delicious either way.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use frozen apples for this recipe?

It’s best to use fresh apples since frozen ones release extra moisture that can make the bars soggy. If using frozen, thaw and drain them well before mixing with spices.

Can I prepare these bars ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the bars a day in advance and keep them refrigerated. Bring to room temperature or warm briefly before serving for the best flavor and texture.

Salted Caramel Apple Crumble Bars Fall Treat Recipe

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★★★★★

4.5 from 783 reviews

These Salted Caramel Apple Crumble Bars are a perfect fall treat featuring a buttery crumbly crust, tender cinnamon-spiced apples, and a luscious drizzle of salted caramel sauce. Baked to golden perfection, these bars combine classic autumn flavors into an easy-to-cut dessert that’s perfect for cozy gatherings or seasonal celebrations.

• Author: Mia
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 45 minutes
• Total Time: 1 hour
• Yield: 12 bars 1x
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

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Crust and Topping

• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, melted
• 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

Apple Filling

• 3 cups peeled and thinly sliced apples (about 3 medium)
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

Additional

• 1/2 cup salted caramel sauce

Instructions

1. Prepare the oven and pan: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a 9×13 inch baking pan with parchment paper to prevent sticking and for easy removal of the bars.
2. Mix wet ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the melted unsalted butter, granulated sugar, vanilla extract, and salt. Stir until smooth and well blended.
3. Add flour for crumbly dough: Gradually add the all-purpose flour to the butter mixture and stir until the texture becomes crumbly. This mixture will form both the crust and the crumble topping.
4. Form the crust: Press about two-thirds of the crumbly dough evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking pan, creating a solid base layer.
5. Prepare apple filling: In a separate bowl, toss the peeled and thinly sliced apples with ground cinnamon and ground nutmeg, evenly coating the fruit with warm spices.
6. Assemble layers: Spread the spiced apple mixture evenly over the pressed crust in the pan. Then drizzle the salted caramel sauce over the apples for a rich, sweet flavor boost.
7. Add crumble topping: Crumble the remaining one-third of the dough mixture evenly over the caramel-drizzled apples, creating a crumbly top layer.
8. Bake: Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 40-45 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the apples are tender and bubbling.
9. Cool and serve: Remove the pan from the oven and let the bars cool completely in the pan. Once cool, lift the entire slab out using the parchment paper and cut into bars for serving.

Notes

• Use firm, tart apple varieties like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp for the best balance with the caramel and spices.
• Make sure to cool the bars completely before cutting to prevent them from falling apart.
• You can prepare the crumble dough ahead of time and refrigerate for up to 24 hours before assembling and baking.
• For extra texture, consider adding chopped nuts like walnuts or pecans to the crumble topping.
• Store bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for up to a week.

Keywords: Apple crumble bars, salted caramel dessert, fall dessert, apple cinnamon bars, baked apple treat