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Cozy Salted Caramel Apple Pie Bars

salted caramel apple pie bars - featured image
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These Cozy Salted Caramel Apple Pie Bars are a quick and easy fall dessert featuring a buttery crust, tender spiced apple filling, and a rich salted caramel drizzle. Perfect for cozy evenings and last-minute gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour (190g)
  • ⅓ cup granulated sugar (65g)
  • ½ cup salted butter, cold and cubed (115g)
  • 2–3 tablespoons cold water
  • 3 medium apples, peeled and thinly sliced (~500g) (Granny Smith recommended)
  • ½ cup packed brown sugar (100g)
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • ½ cup brown sugar (100g) for caramel
  • ¼ cup heavy cream (60ml)
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter (28g)
  • ½ teaspoon sea salt

Instructions

  1. Prepare the crust: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour and granulated sugar. Add the cold, cubed butter and use a pastry cutter or your fingers to work it into the flour until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs (about pea-sized pieces). Gradually add cold water, one tablespoon at a time, mixing gently until the dough just starts to come together. Be careful not to overwork it. Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and chill in the fridge for 15 minutes.
  2. Make the apple filling: While the dough chills, combine sliced apples, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, cornstarch, and lemon juice in a large bowl. Toss gently until apples are evenly coated. Set aside for a few minutes to let flavors meld.
  3. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×9 inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving some overhang for easy removal.
  4. Assemble the base: Remove dough from fridge and press about two-thirds evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan, smoothing the surface.
  5. Add the apple filling evenly over the crust, ensuring no big gaps.
  6. Top with remaining crust: crumble remaining dough over the apples in small chunks.
  7. Bake for 40-45 minutes, or until crust is golden and filling is bubbling. Tent with foil halfway if edges brown too fast.
  8. Prepare the salted caramel drizzle while bars bake: In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine brown sugar, heavy cream, and unsalted butter. Stir constantly until sugar dissolves and mixture thickens slightly (about 5 minutes). Remove from heat and stir in sea salt. Let cool for a few minutes.
  9. When bars are done, let cool in pan for at least 20 minutes. Drizzle salted caramel generously over the top and sprinkle a pinch more sea salt if desired.
  10. Use parchment overhang to lift bars out of pan and cut into squares. Serve warm or at room temperature.

Notes

Keep butter cold to ensure a flaky crust. Slice apples evenly for uniform cooking. Do not skip cornstarch to prevent soggy filling. Tent bars with foil if crust browns too quickly. Let bars cool before drizzling caramel to keep the topping glossy and prevent sinking. Bars can be made gluten-free by substituting flour and dairy-free by using coconut oil and coconut cream.

Nutrition

Keywords: apple pie bars, salted caramel, fall dessert, easy dessert, apple dessert, caramel drizzle, autumn recipe, quick dessert

Find it online: https://yumnode.com/cozy-salted-caramel-apple-pie-bars-recipe-easy-fall-dessert-idea/