Salted Caramel Apple Pie Bars are like a perfect little mix of your favorite apple pie and a sweet, chewy bar. With soft apple chunks spiced just right and a rich salted caramel drizzle, these bars bring all the cozy fall flavors into one easy-to-eat treat. The crust is buttery and has a slight crunch, making every bite a nice balance of textures.
I love making these bars because they’re super simple to bake, but everyone always thinks you spent hours in the kitchen. The salted caramel adds a little twist that stops people in their tracks and makes these bars feel extra special. I usually sneak a taste or two as I’m putting them together—it’s impossible not to! A little tip I like to share: warm them up a bit before serving, so the caramel gets soft and melty again.
These bars are perfect for sharing at family dinners or bringing to a potluck since they’re easy to slice and go. I often pair them with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or just a cup of hot tea. Every time I make these, it brings back memories of cozy afternoons in the kitchen, and I hope they’ll bring you that same warm feeling.
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
Apples: Tart apples like Granny Smith work best because they hold their shape and balance the sweetness. You can swap with Honeycrisp or Fuji if you want a sweeter bite.
Butter: Cold unsalted butter is key for that crumbly crust texture. If needed, you can use salted butter but reduce the added salt in the recipe.
Salted Caramel: Making caramel from scratch adds great flavor but if you’re short on time, store-bought caramel sauce works too. Just sprinkle extra sea salt to keep that salted caramel taste strong.
Flour: All-purpose flour is used for both crust and filling. For a gluten-free option, try gluten-free flour blends but expect a slightly different texture.
How Do You Make the Perfect Crust & Crumble for These Bars?
The crust and crumble need to be just right to support the juicy apple filling and soft caramel. Here’s what I do:
- Keep your butter cold to create a crumbly, tender crust.
- Use a pastry cutter or your fingers to mix butter into the flour until it looks like coarse crumbs. Avoid over-mixing to keep it flaky.
- Press most of the dough firmly into the baking pan for a sturdy base, but save some for the topping to get that classic crumble texture.
- Partially bake the crust before adding filling so it doesn’t get soggy from apple juices.
This careful balance makes the bars hold together well and gives a nice contrast between crisp crust, soft apple filling, and crumbly topping.
Equipment You’ll Need
- 9×13 inch baking pan – I use this size for even baking and easy slicing.
- Mixing bowls – for preparing the crust, filling, and caramel; a must-have for organization.
- Pastry cutter or forks – makes cutting cold butter into the dry ingredients quick and easy.
- Saucepan – needed to cook the caramel sauce; I prefer a medium size that’s easy to stir.
- Stand or hand mixer (optional) – helps blend ingredients smoothly if you prefer.
- Measuring cups and spoons – for accuracy in your ingredients, very important.
- Parchment paper – for easy removal and cleanup, especially if you want perfect slices.
Flavor Variations & Add-Ins
- Swap apples for pears or quinces for a different fruit flavor that pairs well with caramel.
- Add chopped nuts, like pecans or walnuts, on top of the crumble for extra crunch.
- Mix a teaspoon of ginger or clove into the apple filling for a spiced twist.
- Use dark chocolate chunks or drizzles over the caramel for a rich, decadent flavor.
Salted Caramel Apple Pie Bars
Ingredients You’ll Need:
For the Crust and Crumble:
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup unsalted butter, cold and cut into cubes
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 1 tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
For the Apple Filling:
- 4 medium apples (Granny Smith or a tart variety), peeled, cored, and chopped into small pieces
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- ¼ tsp nutmeg
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
For the Salted Caramel Sauce:
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 6 tbsp unsalted butter, room temperature, cut into cubes
- ½ cup heavy cream, warmed
- 1 tsp sea salt (adjust to taste)
How Much Time Will You Need?
This recipe takes about 20 minutes to prepare, 45-50 minutes to bake, plus about 1 hour cooling time. You’ll spend some hands-on time mixing and baking, then waiting for the bars to cool completely so the caramel sets perfectly.
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Prepare the Oven and Pan:
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease or line a 9×13 inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving some overhang to easily lift out the bars later.
2. Make the Crust and Crumble:
In a large bowl, mix together flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Use a pastry cutter or your fingers to cut the cold butter into the mixture until it looks like coarse crumbs.
In a small bowl, whisk the egg and vanilla. Add this to the flour mixture and stir until just combined. The dough will be crumbly but should hold together if pressed.
Reserve about 1 cup of this dough for the crumble topping. Press the rest firmly into the bottom of the prepared pan to form the crust.
Bake the crust for 10-12 minutes, until the edges are slightly golden.
3. Prepare the Apple Filling:
While the crust bakes, toss the chopped apples with sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, lemon juice, and flour in a bowl. Make sure the apples are well coated with the mixture.
4. Make the Salted Caramel Sauce:
In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt the sugar, stirring constantly until it turns a deep amber and is completely melted.
Carefully add the butter, stirring until melted.
Slowly pour in the warmed heavy cream while stirring. Let it bubble for 1-2 minutes, then remove from heat and stir in the sea salt.
Allow the caramel to cool slightly before using.
5. Assemble and Bake:
Remove the crust from the oven. Spread the apple filling evenly over the crust layer.
Drizzle half of the salted caramel sauce over the apple filling in a nice even layer.
Crumble the reserved dough evenly over the top.
Bake the assembled bars for 35-40 minutes, until the crumble topping is golden brown and the apples are tender.
6. Finish and Cool:
Take the bars out of the oven and while still warm, drizzle the remaining salted caramel sauce over the top.
Let the bars cool completely in the pan on a wire rack. This helps the caramel set for clean, neat slices.
Optional: Sprinkle a little extra sea salt over the bars before serving for an extra burst of salty-sweet flavor.
7. Serve and Enjoy:
Slice into squares once cool. These bars are delicious served slightly warm or at room temperature. For an extra treat, add a scoop of vanilla ice cream or cup of hot tea alongside.
Can I Use Frozen Apples for the Filling?
Yes, you can use frozen apples but make sure to thaw and drain them well to avoid excess moisture that could make the bars soggy. Pat them dry with paper towels before mixing with the other filling ingredients.
How Should I Store Leftover Bars?
Store leftover bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or refrigerate for up to 5 days. To enjoy, gently warm them in the microwave or oven to soften the caramel again.
Can I Make the Caramel Sauce Ahead of Time?
Absolutely! You can prepare the caramel sauce a day ahead. Just store it in an airtight container in the fridge and warm it gently before drizzling over the bars.
What Can I Substitute for Heavy Cream in the Caramel?
If you don’t have heavy cream, full-fat coconut milk works as a dairy-free alternative. It will slightly change the flavor but still create a creamy, rich caramel.