Description
Delight in these Salted Caramel Apple Bars featuring a buttery crust, tender cinnamon-spiced apples, a rich caramel drizzle, and a crunchy crumble topping finished with a sprinkle of sea salt flakes. Perfect for an autumn treat or anytime you crave a sweet, comforting dessert.
Ingredients
Scale
Crust
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 tsp sea salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
Apple Filling
- 2 large apples, peeled, cored, and diced
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
Crumble Topping
- 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, cold and cut into cubes
Topping
- 1/2 cup caramel sauce
- 1/2 tsp sea salt flakes
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line a 9×9-inch baking dish with parchment paper to prevent sticking and make removal easier.
- Make the Crust: In a medium bowl, combine 1 1/2 cups flour, granulated sugar, and 1/4 tsp sea salt. Stir in the melted butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs, ensuring an even texture for the crust.
- Form and Bake Crust: Press the crumb mixture firmly and evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Bake for 15 minutes until the edges turn lightly golden, creating a sturdy base for the bars.
- Toss Apples: In another bowl, coat the diced apples with lemon juice, cinnamon, and 1/4 cup flour. This helps prevent browning and thickens the filling as it bakes.
- Prepare Crumble Topping: Mix brown sugar, 1/2 cup flour, and cold butter cubes in a bowl. Use your fingers to rub the butter into the dry ingredients until the texture resembles wet sand, ensuring a crumbly topping.
- Assemble Bars: Remove the crust from the oven. Spread the apple mixture evenly over the crust, then drizzle the caramel sauce on top for a rich flavor layer.
- Add Crumble Topping: Sprinkle and spread the crumble mixture evenly over the apples to create a crunchy finish.
- Bake the Bars: Return the dish to the oven and bake for 35-40 minutes until the top is golden brown and the apples are tender, indicating the bars are cooked through.
- Finish with Sea Salt: Remove from the oven and sprinkle with sea salt flakes to enhance the caramel and apple flavors with a salty contrast. Let cool completely in the pan.
- Serve: Once cooled, cut into bars. Serve and enjoy these delicious salted caramel apple bars as a perfect dessert or snack.
Notes
- Use tart apples such as Granny Smith or Honeycrisp for the best balance of sweetness and acidity.
- Ensure the butter for the crumble topping is cold to achieve a crumbly texture.
- Allow the bars to cool fully before cutting to prevent them from falling apart.
- Caramel sauce can be homemade or store-bought depending on your preference and time constraints.
- Store bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or refrigerated for up to 5 days.
