Description
These Salted Caramel Apple Crisp Bars combine a buttery shortbread crust with a sweet and spiced caramel apple filling, topped with a crunchy oatmeal crumb topping. Baked to golden perfection, they make a delightful dessert or snack, perfect for autumn or anytime you crave a comforting treat.
Ingredients
Scale
Shortbread Crust
- 1/2 cup salted butter, room temperature
- 1 1/4 cups flour
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Apple Filling
- 4 cups peeled and thinly sliced apples (about 4-5 apples)
- 1/4 cup caramel sauce (store-bought or homemade)
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1/4 cup flour
Oatmeal Crumb Topping
- 6 tablespoons salted butter, room temperature
- 3/4 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup flour
- 1/2 cup oatmeal
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Optional
- Additional caramel for drizzling
- Extra salt for sprinkling
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line an 8×8 or 9×9 inch square pan with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
- Prepare the Shortbread Crust: In a mixing bowl, combine the butter, flour, brown sugar, and salt. Mix until the mixture is crumbly and evenly combined. Press this mixture firmly and evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan. Bake the crust for 12 minutes, then remove and let it cool slightly while you prepare the next components.
- Prepare the Apple Filling: Core, peel, and thinly slice enough apples to yield about 4 cups. In a small bowl, mix the caramel sauce, salt, ground cinnamon, brown sugar, and flour until smooth. Toss the sliced apples gently in the caramel mixture, ensuring they are well coated. Spoon the coated apples evenly over the pre-baked crust and gently press them down to form an even layer.
- Make the Oatmeal Crumb Topping: In a medium bowl, blend the butter, brown sugar, flour, oatmeal, and cinnamon until a crumbly mixture forms. Sprinkle this topping evenly over the apple filling, pressing down gently to help it adhere.
- Bake the Bars: Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 35 to 40 minutes, or until the apples are tender and the crumb topping is golden brown and crisp.
- Serve: Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan before cutting them into squares. For extra indulgence, drizzle with additional caramel sauce and sprinkle a bit of extra salt if desired. These bars are delicious on their own or served with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
Notes
- Peel and slice apples uniformly for even cooking.
- Use tart apples like Granny Smith for a balanced flavor against the sweet caramel.
- Store bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for up to a week.
- Reheat gently before serving if desired.
- For homemade caramel sauce, simmer sugar and butter until golden, then stir in cream; let cool before using.
