Description
Delight in these homemade Salted Caramel Apple Bars, featuring a buttery crust, tender cinnamon-spiced apples, and a luscious drizzle of caramel, topped with a crunchy brown sugar crumble and a sprinkle of sea salt flakes. Perfect for a cozy dessert or an indulgent snack.
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
Additional
- 1/2 cup caramel sauce
- 1/2 tsp sea salt flakes
Instructions
- Preheat 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 ensure easy removal of the bars.
- Make the crust: In a medium bowl, combine 1 1/2 cups flour, granulated sugar, and 1/4 teaspoon sea salt. Add the melted butter and stir until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Press this mixture firmly into the bottom of the prepared baking dish to create an even crust layer. Bake for 15 minutes or until the edges are lightly golden.
- Prepare the apple filling: In another bowl, toss the diced apples with lemon juice, cinnamon, and 1/4 cup flour until they are evenly coated. This helps to keep the apples fresh and prevents them from browning while adding flavor and thickening the filling.
- Make the crumble topping: Mix the brown sugar, 1/2 cup flour, and cold butter cubes in a bowl. Use your fingers to rub the butter into the flour mixture until it resembles wet sand. This crumbly mixture will form a delicious crunchy topping for your bars.
- Assemble the bars: Remove the crust from the oven. Spread the prepared apple mixture evenly over the baked crust. Drizzle the caramel sauce generously over the apples for that signature salted caramel flavor. Then, evenly spread the crumble topping over the caramel and apple layers.
- Bake: Return the baking dish to the oven and bake for 35-40 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the apples are tender. This ensures the bars are perfectly cooked and the flavors meld beautifully.
- Finish and cool: Remove the bars from the oven and sprinkle with sea salt flakes to enhance the caramel and apple flavors. Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan, which helps them set properly for easy slicing.
- Serve: Once cooled, cut into bars and serve. Enjoy these delightful salted caramel apple bars as a comforting dessert or snack.
Notes
- Make sure the apples are well coated with lemon juice to prevent browning.
- Use cold butter for the crumble topping to achieve a crisp texture.
- Allow the bars to cool completely before slicing to avoid crumbling.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
- For extra flavor, you can sprinkle a little extra cinnamon on top before baking.
