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Salted Caramel Apple Pie Bars

Salted Caramel Apple Pie Bars
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Salted Caramel Apple Pie Bars combine the nostalgic warmth and comforting flavors of classic apple pie with a rich, buttery homemade salted caramel. Featuring a crispy crust, tender apple filling, and luscious caramel sauce, these bars offer a perfect harmony of sweet, salty, crisp, and gooey textures. Perfect for family desserts, festive gatherings, or as a delightful gift, these bars are easy to customize and make a truly irresistible treat.

Ingredients

Scale

Crust

  • 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar
  • 3/4 cup unsalted butter, cold

Apple Filling

  • 4 cups tart apples (like Granny Smith), peeled, chopped
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • 1/4 tsp nutmeg
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract

Salted Caramel Sauce

  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter
  • 1 cup brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream
  • 1/4 tsp sea salt

Optional Variations & Garnishes

  • Chopped pecans or walnuts (for topping)
  • Gluten-free flour blend (as substitute for all-purpose flour)
  • Ground ginger or cloves (for extra spice)
  • Coconut oil and coconut cream (for dairy-free alternative)
  • Sliced pears (to replace half of the apples)
  • Flaky sea salt, powdered sugar (for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Crust: In a bowl, mix together the flour, brown sugar, and cold unsalted butter. Use your fingers or a pastry cutter to blend until the mixture becomes crumbly. Press half of this mixture firmly into the bottom of your baking pan to form a sturdy, buttery crust base.
  2. Cook the Apple Filling: Peel and chop the apples into bite-sized pieces. Cook them gently in a saucepan with cinnamon, nutmeg, and vanilla extract, allowing the apples to soften and the flavors to meld beautifully.
  3. Make the Salted Caramel Sauce: In a separate pan, melt the butter and brown sugar together over medium heat, stirring continuously until the mixture bubbles. Slowly add the heavy cream, then a pinch of sea salt. Continue cooking and stirring until the sauce thickens and becomes silky smooth.
  4. Assemble the Bars: Spread the cooked apple filling evenly over the crust in the pan. Pour half of the salted caramel sauce over the apples. Crumble the remaining crust mixture on top to create a textured finish.
  5. Bake and Cool: Bake the bars at 350°F (175°C) for 35-40 minutes, or until golden brown and bubbling. Remove from the oven and allow to cool completely. Once cooled, drizzle the remaining caramel sauce over the bars for a glossy, indulgent touch.

Notes

  • Use tart apples like Granny Smith to balance the sweetness and enhance flavor.
  • Keep butter cold before incorporating it into the crust for a flakier, crispier texture.
  • Simmer the caramel sauce slowly and gently to prevent burning and to achieve a smooth consistency.
  • Spread the apple filling evenly to avoid soggy spots in the bars.
  • Allow bars to cool completely before cutting to ensure they hold their shape.
  • Use a sharp knife warmed in hot water and dried between cuts for clean slices without sticking.
  • For a vegan version, substitute butter with coconut oil and heavy cream with coconut cream.
  • Bars can be stored at room temperature up to 2 days, refrigerated up to 5 days, and frozen up to 3 months.
  • Reheat in a 300°F (150°C) oven for 10-15 minutes to restore freshness; avoid microwaving.

Nutrition

Keywords: salted caramel, apple pie bars, dessert bars, caramel apple, fall dessert, homemade caramel, apple dessert

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