Salted Caramel Apple Crisp Bars Recipe
Introduction
Salted Caramel Apple Crisp Bars combine the warm flavors of spiced apples with a buttery crumb topping and a luscious salted caramel drizzle. These bars are perfect for dessert or an indulgent snack, offering a delightful balance of sweet and salty in every bite.
Ingredients
- 2 ½ cups (300g) all-purpose flour
- ½ cup (100g) granulated sugar
- ½ tsp fine sea salt
- 1 cup (226g) cold unsalted butter, cubed
- 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
- 6-7 medium apples (6 cups sliced)
- ½ cup (100g) packed light brown sugar
- 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 1 ½ tsp ground cinnamon
- ½ tsp ground nutmeg
- ¼ tsp ground ginger (optional)
- 2 tbsp all-purpose flour or cornstarch
- 1 cup (120g) all-purpose flour
- ½ cup (50g) old-fashioned rolled oats
- ½ cup (100g) packed light brown sugar
- ¼ cup (50g) granulated sugar
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- ¼ tsp fine sea salt
- ½ cup (113g) cold unsalted butter, cubed
- 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
- ¼ cup (60ml) water
- ½ cup (120ml) warm heavy cream
- 4 tbsp (56g) room temperature unsalted butter, cubed
- 1 tsp flaky sea salt
- ½ tsp pure vanilla extract
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper. In a bowl, combine 2 ½ cups flour, ½ cup granulated sugar, and ½ tsp salt. Cut in 1 cup cold butter until the mixture forms coarse crumbs. Stir in 1 tsp vanilla extract. Press this mixture evenly into the prepared pan. Par-bake for 15-20 minutes until lightly golden.
- Step 2: While the crust bakes, peel, core, and slice the apples into ¼-inch thick slices. In a large bowl, toss the apples with ½ cup brown sugar, 1 tbsp lemon juice, 1 ½ tsp cinnamon, ½ tsp nutmeg, ¼ tsp ginger (if using), and 2 tbsp flour or cornstarch until well coated.
- Step 3: In a medium bowl, combine 1 cup flour, ½ cup oats, ½ cup brown sugar, ¼ cup granulated sugar, 1 tsp cinnamon, and ¼ tsp salt. Cut in ½ cup cold butter until coarse crumbs form for the streusel topping.
- Step 4: To make the salted caramel sauce, heat 1 cup granulated sugar and ¼ cup water in a heavy-bottomed saucepan over medium-high heat without stirring. Cook until the sugar turns a deep amber color, about 8-12 minutes. Remove from heat and carefully whisk in ½ cup warm heavy cream (the mixture will bubble). Stir in 4 tbsp room temperature butter, 1 tsp flaky sea salt, and ½ tsp vanilla extract. Let cool slightly.
- Step 5: Spread the apple filling evenly over the par-baked crust. Sprinkle the streusel topping over the apples. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 45-55 minutes, until the topping is golden brown and the apples are bubbling.
- Step 6: Remove the bars from the oven and cool completely on a wire rack, at least 2-3 hours. Once cooled, lift the bars from the pan and generously drizzle with the salted caramel sauce. Optionally, sprinkle with extra flaky sea salt. Slice and serve.
Tips & Variations
- Use a firm apple variety like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp for the best texture and flavor.
- For extra crunch, add chopped nuts like pecans or walnuts to the streusel topping.
- If you prefer a thicker caramel, let it simmer a bit longer before adding cream.
- To make ahead, prepare through step 5, refrigerate, and bake fresh when ready to serve.
Storage
Store the bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerated for up to 5 days. Reheat gently in the microwave or oven before serving to soften the caramel and warm the apples.
How to Serve
Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I use frozen apples instead of fresh?
It’s best to use fresh apples for optimal texture. Frozen apples release more moisture and can make the bars soggy.
How do I prevent the crust from getting soggy?
Par-baking the crust before adding the filling helps create a barrier that keeps it crisp and reduces sogginess.
Print
Salted Caramel Apple Crisp Bars Recipe
- Total Time: 3 hours 25 minutes
- Yield: 12 bars 1x
Description
These Salted Caramel Apple Crisp Bars combine the comforting flavors of tender spiced apples and a buttery crisp topping with a luscious homemade salted caramel drizzle. Perfect for fall or anytime dessert, these bars have a flaky crust, cinnamon-spiced apple filling, oat streusel topping, and a rich caramel sauce finishing touch.
Ingredients
Scale
Crust
- 2 ½ cups (300g) all-purpose flour
- ½ cup (100g) granulated sugar
- ½ tsp fine sea salt
- 1 cup (226g) cold unsalted butter, cubed
- 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
Apple Filling
- 6–7 medium apples (about 6 cups sliced)
- ½ cup (100g) packed light brown sugar
- 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 1 ½ tsp ground cinnamon
- ½ tsp ground nutmeg
- ¼ tsp ground ginger (optional)
- 2 tbsp all-purpose flour or cornstarch
Streusel Topping
- 1 cup (120g) all-purpose flour
- ½ cup (50g) old-fashioned rolled oats
- ½ cup (100g) packed light brown sugar
- ¼ cup (50g) granulated sugar
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- ¼ tsp fine sea salt
- ½ cup (113g) cold unsalted butter, cubed
Salted Caramel Sauce
- 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
- ¼ cup (60ml) water
- ½ cup (120ml) warm heavy cream
- 4 tbsp (56g) room temperature unsalted butter, cubed
- 1 tsp flaky sea salt
- ½ tsp pure vanilla extract
Instructions
- Prepare Pan and Crust: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper. In a bowl, combine 2 ½ cups flour, ½ cup granulated sugar, and ½ tsp salt. Cut in 1 cup cold, cubed butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Stir in 1 tsp vanilla extract, then press this mixture evenly into the prepared pan. Par-bake the crust for 15-20 minutes until it turns light golden.
- Prepare Apple Filling: While the crust bakes, peel, core, and slice the apples into ¼-inch thick slices. In a large bowl, mix the sliced apples with ½ cup brown sugar, 1 tbsp lemon juice, 1 ½ tsp cinnamon, ½ tsp nutmeg, ¼ tsp ginger (optional), and 2 tbsp flour or cornstarch. Toss everything together until the apples are well coated.
- Prepare Streusel Topping: In a medium bowl, combine 1 cup flour, ½ cup rolled oats, ½ cup brown sugar, ¼ cup granulated sugar, 1 tsp cinnamon, and ¼ tsp salt. Cut in ½ cup cold butter until coarse crumbs form.
- Prepare Salted Caramel Sauce: In a heavy-bottomed saucepan, combine 1 cup granulated sugar and ¼ cup water. Heat over medium-high heat without stirring until the sugar turns a deep amber color, about 8-12 minutes. Remove from the heat and carefully whisk in ½ cup warm heavy cream (the mixture will bubble vigorously). Then whisk in 4 tbsp room temperature butter, 1 tsp flaky sea salt, and ½ tsp vanilla extract. Set aside to cool slightly.
- Assemble and Bake: Spread the prepared apple filling evenly over the par-baked crust. Sprinkle the streusel topping evenly over the apples. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 45-55 minutes until the topping is golden brown and the apple filling is bubbling.
- Cool and Finish: Remove the bars from the oven and let them cool completely on a wire rack for at least 2-3 hours. Once cooled, lift the bars from the pan using the parchment paper. Generously drizzle the bars with the cooled salted caramel sauce. Optionally, sprinkle with extra flaky sea salt. Slice into bars and serve.
Notes
- Use tart apples like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp for a balance of sweetness and acidity.
- The lemon juice in the filling prevents the apples from browning and adds brightness.
- Letting the bars cool fully ensures the caramel sets properly and the bars slice cleanly.
- You can omit ground ginger if preferred; it adds a subtle warm spice note.
- Store bars in an airtight container at room temperature for 2 days or refrigerate up to 5 days.
- For easier slicing, refrigerate bars until caramel firms up.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 65 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: salted caramel, apple crisp, dessert bars, fall dessert, caramel apple bars, spiced apples, oat streusel, homemade caramel sauce
