Salted caramel apple pie bars with a sugared crust, cinnamon apples and topped with the perfect crumble and salted caramel. This easy apple dessert is the definition of fall and tastes absolutely delicious.
Optional: Salted Caramel Sauce, Maldon salt for sprinkling
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 300°F degrees. Spray 9×9-inch pan with nonstick spray or line with parchment paper.
Crust
In a medium bowl, mix the butter, sugar, vanilla, and salt until combined. Add flour and mix again. Using your hands, press the crust mixture into the pan until it's evenly distributed. Bake 15 minutes.
Apple filling
In a large bowl, place apples. Stir in flour, sugar, and cinnamon until apples are coated. Set aside.
Crumb topping
In a small bowl, combine the oats, brown sugar, cinnamon, and flour. Using your hands or a pastry blender, mix in the butter until the mixture is crumbly. Set aside.
Remove crust from the oven and preheat the oven to 350°F. Pour the apple filling over the warm crust and use the back of a spoon to press down the apples to lay flat. Sprinkle the crumb topping over the apples until covered. Bake 30 to 35 minutes, or until golden brown.
Remove from oven and let cool 20 minutes. Chill in the fridge to set at least 2 hours. Cut into bars and serve warm or cold. Drizzle the caramel sauce over the top, if desired, just before serving. Enjoy!
Notes
Apples: I like using 2 different apples (1 granny smith and 1 honey crisp or pink lady apple). Slice them as thin as you can. Spice: If you want to add a little bit more spice, feel free to add in 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon of ground nutmeg. Caramel: If drizzling caramel on top, you can use this salted caramel sauce recipe or simply melt down store bought caramels with a little bit of cream.Storage: These bars will keep in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. If you have extra, you can freeze them individually for up to 3 months. When ready to eat, thaw in the fridge overnight and add desired toppings. You can eat them warm or cold - both ways taste delicious!