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Salted Caramel Apple Bars

Buttery shortbread crust layered with spiced apples, caramel drizzle, and a crumb topping. The ultimate fall dessert bar.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 55 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Servings: 16 bars
Course: Dessert, Snack
Cuisine: American, Fall
Calories: 280
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Shortbread Crust
  • 1 cup unsalted butter melted
  • 0.5 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
Apple Filling
  • 4 apples peeled and diced
  • 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
  • 2 tbsp granulated sugar
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • 0.25 tsp nutmeg
Crumb Topping
  • 1 cup old-fashioned oats
  • 0.5 cup brown sugar
  • 0.5 cup all-purpose flour
  • 0.5 cup unsalted butter cold, cubed
Caramel Drizzle
  • 0.5 cup caramel sauce
  • 0.5 tsp flaky sea salt

Equipment

  • Mixing bowls
  • 9x13-inch baking pan
  • Parchment paper
  • Spatula
  • Knife

Method
 

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9x13-inch pan with parchment paper.
  2. In a bowl, mix melted butter, sugar, vanilla, and flour. Press evenly into pan and bake 15 minutes.
  3. Toss diced apples with flour, sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Spread over baked crust.
  4. Mix oats, brown sugar, and flour. Cut in butter until crumbly. Sprinkle over apples.
  5. Bake 35–40 minutes until topping is golden and apples tender.
  6. Cool completely. Drizzle with caramel sauce and sprinkle with flaky sea salt before slicing.

Notes

For best results, let bars cool before slicing. Store in airtight container up to 4 days.