Salted Caramel Apple Bars - The Perfect Fall Dessert
Prep time: 1h mins | 12 Servings
When the weather cools and apples are in season, there’s one dessert that captures the essence of cozy baking Salted Caramel Apple Bars. Imagine soft, cinnamon-spiced apples layered between a buttery crust and crumbly topping, all drizzled with gooey salted caramel sauce. These bars are the perfect balance of sweet, salty, and tangy making them a must-bake treat for fall gatherings, bake sales, or simple afternoon indulgence.
What Are Salted Caramel Apple Bars?
Salted caramel apple bars are a dessert made with three layers:
A buttery shortbread crust,
A spiced apple filling,
A crumbly streusel topping.
Once baked, the entire dessert is finished with a generous drizzle of homemade salted caramel sauce, adding richness and flavor depth. Unlike classic apple pie, these bars are easier to make and serve. Perfect for parties or on-the-go snacking.
Ingredients
For the Crust and Topping:
2 cups all-purpose flour
¾ cup brown sugar
½ teaspoon salt
1 cup unsalted butter, melted
For the Apple Filling:
3–4 medium apples, peeled and sliced thin
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
¼ teaspoon nutmeg
⅓ cup granulated sugar
For the Salted Caramel Sauce:
1 cup granulated sugar
6 tablespoons unsalted butter
½ cup heavy cream
1 teaspoon sea salt
Directions
1. Preheat & Prep
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper for easy removal later.
2. Make the Crust and Topping
In a bowl, combine flour, brown sugar, and salt. Add melted butter and stir until the mixture is crumbly. Press two-thirds of the mixture into the bottom of your prepared pan to form the crust. Set aside the remaining mixture for the topping.
3. Prepare the Apple Filling
In another bowl, toss sliced apples with sugar, flour, cinnamon, and nutmeg until well-coated. Spread this mixture evenly over the crust.
4. Add the Crumb Topping
Sprinkle the remaining crust mixture evenly over the apples to create a crumbly topping.
5. Bake
Bake for 35–40 minutes or until the top turns golden brown and the apples are soft.
6. Make the Salted Caramel
While the bars bake, melt the sugar in a saucepan over medium heat, stirring constantly. Once melted and amber-colored, add the butter. Slowly whisk in the heavy cream and remove from heat. Stir in sea salt and let it cool slightly.
7. Drizzle and Serve
Once the bars have cooled, drizzle your homemade salted caramel sauce generously on top. Slice into bars and enjoy!
Tips for Perfect Salted Caramel Apple Bars
Choose the right apples: Use a mix of tart and sweet apples Granny Smith and Honeycrisp work beautifully.
Don’t overbake: The bars should be golden brown but still soft. Overbaking can dry out the apples.
Cool before cutting: Let the bars cool completely before slicing for clean edges.
Make the caramel ahead: Salted caramel sauce can be prepared up to 5 days in advance and stored in the fridge.
Variations to Try
Want to mix things up? Try these creative twists:
Add nuts: Sprinkle chopped pecans or walnuts on top for a crunchy bite.
Make them gluten-free: Substitute with a 1:1 gluten-free baking flour.
Top with ice cream: Serve warm bars with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and extra caramel drizzle.
Add oats: Mix rolled oats into the crumb topping for texture and flavor.
Nutrition Facts
*Per serving (1 slice)
- Calories220 kcal
- Protein3 g
- Carbohydrates32 g
- Fat9 g
- Saturated Fat5 g
- Cholesterol35 mg
- Sodium180 mg
- Fiber2 g
- Sugar18 g
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. Can I use store-bought caramel sauce?
Yes! While homemade caramel adds a richer flavor, a good-quality store-bought version works in a pinch.
Q2. Which apples are best for baking?
Tart apples like Granny Smith or Fuji balance the sweetness of the caramel perfectly.
Q3. Can I double the recipe?
Absolutely. Use a larger pan or bake two batches if serving a crowd.
Final Thoughts
If you’re craving a dessert that’s comforting, crowd-pleasing, and bursting with seasonal flavor, salted caramel apple bars are the answer. They’re easy to bake, easy to serve, and impossible to resist!
👉 Try this recipe today and share your version on Instagram or Facebook! Tag @TasteSpur and show how your bars turned out — we’d love to feature your creations!
