Salted Caramel Apple Bars are the perfect mix of sweet and a little salty, with a soft, buttery crust, tender baked apples, and that luscious drizzle of caramel sauce on top. The apples are warm and cozy in every bite, and the salted caramel adds just the right touch to make this treat unforgettable.
I love making these bars when I want something that feels special but isn’t too complicated. The smell that fills the kitchen while they bake is like a warm hug, with cinnamon and caramel mixing in the air. I usually sneak a small piece while they cool down because it’s just too tempting to wait.
These bars are great for sharing at family get-togethers or bringing to a friend’s house as a sweet surprise. I like to serve them with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or even a cup of hot tea—both are perfect companions. They’re also wonderful if you just want a little quiet moment with something comforting and delicious.
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
Apples: I prefer Granny Smith for their tartness and firm texture, which holds up well baking. Honeycrisp works great, too, but softer apples like Fuji might get mushy. If you want a sweeter bar, go for sweeter apples.
Butter: Cold, unsalted butter is key for the crumbly crust and topping. If you’re out, margarine or vegan butter works, but the texture might change slightly. Using salted butter means you can skip extra salt in the crust.
Brown Sugar: Adds moisture and caramel flavor to crust and sauce. You can swap light brown sugar for dark brown sugar for a richer taste, or use coconut sugar if avoiding refined sugars.
Cinnamon: A small amount lifts the flavor without overpowering. Feel free to add a pinch of nutmeg or allspice for a warmer spice blend.
Lemon Juice: Stops the apples from browning and adds a tiny brightness. If you don’t have fresh lemon, white vinegar or apple cider vinegar can substitute, but use less to avoid a strong taste.
Heavy Cream: Makes the caramel sauce rich and smooth. For a dairy-free version, full-fat coconut milk works well, though flavor will slightly differ.
How Do You Get the Perfect Crumbly Crust and Topping?
The trick to that delicious crumbly crust is working with cold butter. Here’s how I do it:
- Mix dry ingredients first so everything is even.
- Cut the cold butter into small cubes and add to dry mix.
- Use a pastry cutter, fork, or fingertips to blend until the mixture looks like coarse crumbs with some pea-sized pieces.
- Don’t overwork it—leave some texture for that crumbly bite.
- Reserve about 1 cup for the topping and press the rest firmly in the pan for a solid base.
Chilling the crust in the pan for 10 minutes before adding apples helps it set and prevents sogginess. The crumb topping falls apart nicely during baking and crisps up golden.
Equipment You’ll Need
- 9×13-inch baking pan – perfect size for the bars and easy to line with parchment for quick removal.
- Parchment paper – helps lift the bars out cleanly without sticking or breaking.
- Mixing bowls – one for crust and topping, another for apple filling to keep things organized.
- Pastry cutter or fork – makes it easy to blend cold butter into the dry ingredients for that crumbly texture.
- Saucepan – needed to melt butter and cook the salted caramel sauce smoothly.
- Measuring cups and spoons – for accurate ingredient amounts to keep your bars balanced in flavor.
Flavor Variations & Add-Ins
- Use pears instead of apples for a sweeter, softer filling with a subtle twist.
- Add chopped pecans or walnuts to the crumb topping for a crunchy, nutty contrast.
- Mix in a teaspoon of ground ginger or nutmeg with the cinnamon for a spiced-up flavor.
- Swap salted caramel drizzle for chocolate ganache if you prefer a rich, chocolatey finish.
Salted Caramel Apple Bars
Ingredients You’ll Need:
For the Crust and Crumb Topping:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup packed brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, cold and cubed
For the Apple Filling:
- 4 large apples (such as Granny Smith or Honeycrisp), peeled, cored, and thinly sliced
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
For the Salted Caramel Drizzle:
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- 1 cup packed brown sugar
- 1/4 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
How Much Time Will You Need?
This recipe takes about 20 minutes to prepare and about 45-50 minutes to bake. After baking, you’ll want to allow a little time for the bars to cool before cutting and drizzling with the salted caramel sauce. So, plan on roughly 1 hour total from start to finish.
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Preheat Oven and Prepare Pan:
First, heat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving some extra hanging over the edges. This will help you easily lift the bars out later.
2. Make Crust and Crumb Topping:
In a large bowl, mix the flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, baking powder, and salt. Add the cold cubed butter and use a pastry cutter or your fingers to work it into the dry ingredients until the mixture looks like coarse crumbs. Set aside about 1 cup of this crumb mix for topping later. Press the rest firmly into the bottom of the prepared baking pan to form an even crust layer.
3. Prepare Apple Filling:
In another bowl, toss the sliced apples with lemon juice to keep them from browning. Add granulated sugar, cinnamon, and 2 tablespoons of flour, then stir gently so the apples are well coated.
4. Assemble the Bars:
Evenly spread the apple mixture over the crust layer in the pan. Then sprinkle the reserved crumb topping evenly over the apples.
5. Bake:
Bake your bars in the preheated oven for about 45-50 minutes, or until the crumb topping is golden brown and the apples are soft and bubbly.
6. Prepare Salted Caramel Sauce:
While the bars bake, melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir in brown sugar and cook, stirring constantly, until smooth and the sugar dissolves (about 4-5 minutes). Gradually add heavy cream and cook until the caramel thickens slightly (about 3 more minutes). Remove from heat, then stir in sea salt and vanilla extract. Let it cool a bit.
7. Cool and Drizzle:
When the bars are done, let them cool to room temperature. Use the parchment overhang to lift them out of the pan, then cut into squares. Generously drizzle the salted caramel sauce over each square.
8. Serve and Enjoy:
Serve the bars as is, or warm gently and pair with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream for an extra treat. Enjoy every soft, buttery, and delicious bite!
Can I Use Frozen Apples for the Filling?
Yes, you can use frozen apples, but be sure to thaw and drain any excess liquid before mixing them with the sugar and spices. This helps prevent the bars from becoming too soggy.
How Should I Store Leftover Bars?
Store leftover bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. For the best texture, bring them to room temperature or warm gently before serving. Leftover salted caramel sauce can be kept in the fridge for up to a week.
Can I Make These Bars Ahead of Time?
Absolutely! You can bake the bars a day in advance and keep them refrigerated. Add the salted caramel drizzle just before serving to keep it fresh and delicious.
Is There a Dairy-Free Option for the Caramel Sauce?
Yes! Substitute the butter with vegan butter and use full-fat coconut milk instead of heavy cream. The flavor will be slightly different but still rich and tasty.
