Easy Caramel Apple Bars
Buttery homemade apple bars layered with cinnamon-spiced apples, rich caramel sauce, and a golden oat crumble topping. These easy caramel apple bars are perfect for fall baking, Thanksgiving, potlucks, or a cozy family dessert.
Ingredients
Base and Crumble
- 1 cup all-purpose flour — Creates the structure for the buttery crust and crumble.
- ½ cup old-fashioned rolled oats — Adds texture and a rustic oat topping.
- ⅓ cup packed brown sugar — Gives the bars a deep caramel-like sweetness.
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar — Adds balanced sweetness to the crust.
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon — Brings warm spice to the dessert.
- ¼ teaspoon salt — Enhances the buttery and caramel flavors.
- ½ cup unsalted butter softened — Creates a rich, tender and buttery crumble.
Apple Filling
- 2 medium apples peeled and finely chopped — Use firm apples that hold their shape during baking.
- 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour — Helps absorb some of the moisture released by the apples.
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar — Adds extra sweetness to the apple layer.
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon — Gives the apples a classic warm fall flavor.
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract — Adds a subtle sweet aroma.
- ¼ teaspoon salt — Balances the sweetness.
Caramel Layer
- ⅓ cup caramel sauce — Adds the signature rich caramel flavor.
- 1 tablespoon chopped pecans — Optional for extra crunch.
Instructions
- Prepare the Pan: Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line a 9-inch square baking pan with parchment paper, leaving some parchment hanging over the sides for easy removal. Lightly grease the parchment.
- Make the Crumble Mixture: In a large mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, rolled oats, brown sugar, granulated sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Add the softened butter and mix with a pastry cutter or fork until the mixture becomes crumbly. Set aside about one-third of the mixture for the topping.
- Bake the Bottom Layer: Press the remaining crumble mixture firmly and evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan. Bake for about 10 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden.
- Prepare the Apples: While the crust bakes, peel and finely chop the apples. Place them in a bowl and gently toss with flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, vanilla extract, and salt until evenly coated.
- Add the Apples and Caramel: Spread the seasoned apples evenly over the warm crust. Drizzle the caramel sauce over the apples, making sure it is distributed across the entire layer.
- Add the Crumble Topping: Sprinkle the reserved crumble mixture evenly over the caramel and apples. If using pecans, scatter the chopped nuts over the top.
- Bake: Return the pan to the oven and bake for about 25 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the caramel is bubbling around the edges.
- Cool and Slice: Remove the pan from the oven and let the bars cool completely for about 30 minutes. Lift them out using the parchment paper, then cut into squares. Serve with an optional drizzle of caramel sauce.
Notes
- Storage: Store cooled bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- Freezing: Wrap individual bars well and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator.
- Reheating: Warm individual bars gently in the microwave for a few seconds before serving.
- Apple Tip: Firm apples such as Granny Smith or Honeycrisp work particularly well because they maintain a pleasant texture during baking.
- Serving Tip: Serve slightly warm with vanilla ice cream and an extra drizzle of caramel sauce for a classic caramel-apple dessert.
Nutrition Facts
- Calories: 560 kcal
- Total Fat: 27 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Cholesterol: 60 mg
- Sodium: 360 mg
- Carbohydrates: 76 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Sugar: 44 g
- Protein: 5 g
Nutrition values are estimates and can vary depending on the specific brands and ingredients used.