Salted Caramel Apple Bars Recipe: 5 Easy Fall Dessert
Introduction
In my years of travelling the world, from the bustling patisseries of Paris to the rustic kitchens of Tuscany, I’ve learned that the most memorable dishes are born from a perfect contrast of flavors and textures. Autumn, with its crisp air and golden light, always brings me back to one of the most sublime pairings in gastronomy: the sweet, tart apple and the deep, complex allure of salted caramel. It’s a culinary romance that speaks of comfort and sophistication. These are not your average bake-sale treat; this recipe for Salted Caramel Apple Bars is my tribute to that perfect pairing. It features a buttery shortbread crust that melts in your mouth, a layer of tender, cinnamon-kissed apples, and a generous drizzle of homemade salted caramel that ties everything together. This is more than a dessert; it’s an experience. Let me guide you through creating a masterpiece that will define your fall baking season.
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- A Symphony of Textures: You’ll adore the contrast between the tender, buttery shortbread base, the soft baked apples, and the delightfully crisp crumble topping.
- Perfectly Balanced Flavors: The tartness of the apples cuts through the richness of the sweet caramel and buttery crust, with a hint of sea salt elevating every single bite.
- Elegance Made Easy: This recipe delivers a gourmet, patisserie-quality dessert using straightforward techniques that even a novice baker can master with confidence.
- The Ultimate Autumnal Treat: The aroma of cinnamon, apples, and butter baking in your oven is the very essence of fall, making these bars perfect for any occasion from a family gathering to a quiet afternoon with tea.
Preparation Time and Servings
⏱️ Preparation Time: 25 minutes
🔥 Cooking Time: 45-50 minutes
⏰ Total Time: Approximately 1 hour 15 minutes
💡 Difficulty: Easy
👥 Servings: 16 bars
This is a wonderfully quick recipe to assemble, allowing you to create a truly impressive dessert without spending hours in the kitchen.
Ingredients List
- For the Shortbread Crust and Crumble:
- 2 ½ cups (300g) all-purpose flour
- 1 cup (226g) cold unsalted butter, cut into ½-inch cubes
- ¾ cup (150g) packed light brown sugar
- ½ cup (50g) old-fashioned rolled oats
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon salt
- For the Apple Filling:
- 4 medium tart, firm apples (like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp), peeled, cored, and thinly sliced
- 2 tablespoons (30g) granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- For the Salted Caramel Drizzle:
- 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
- 6 tablespoons (85g) unsalted butter, at room temperature
- ½ cup (120ml) heavy cream, at room temperature
- 1 teaspoon flaky sea salt (like Maldon)
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9×13 inch baking pan and line it with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the sides to use as handles later.
- Make the Crust and Crumble Mixture: In a large bowl, combine the flour, brown sugar, rolled oats, cinnamon, and salt. Whisk to combine. Add the cold, cubed butter and use a pastry cutter or your fingertips to cut the butter into the flour mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs with some pea-sized pieces remaining.
- Form the Base: Reserve 1 ½ cups of the crumble mixture for the topping. Press the remaining mixture firmly and evenly into the bottom of your prepared baking pan to form the crust.
- Prepare the Apple Filling: In a separate bowl, gently toss the sliced apples with the granulated sugar, lemon juice, cinnamon, and nutmeg until the apples are evenly coated. Arrange the apple slices in an even layer over the crust.
- Add Topping and Bake: Sprinkle the reserved crumble mixture evenly over the apple layer. Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 45-50 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the apple filling is bubbly.
- Prepare the Salted Caramel: While the bars are baking, prepare the caramel sauce. In a medium saucepan, heat the 1 cup of granulated sugar over medium heat, stirring constantly until the sugar melts and turns into a smooth, amber-colored liquid. Immediately stir in the cubed butter until it is completely melted. Be cautious as it will bubble up. Slowly pour in the heavy cream while stirring continuously. The mixture will bubble vigorously. Continue to cook for 1 minute, stirring, then remove from the heat and stir in the sea salt.
- Cool and Drizzle: Remove the bars from the oven and let them cool in the pan on a wire rack for at least 30 minutes. Once slightly cooled, drizzle the salted caramel sauce generously over the top. Allow the bars to cool completely (at least 2 hours) before lifting them out of the pan and cutting them into squares.
Expert Tips for the Best Salted Caramel Apple Bars
- Choose the Right Apples: The type of apple you use is crucial. Firm, tart varieties like Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or Braeburn are ideal as they hold their shape during baking and provide a lovely contrast to the sweet caramel.
- Don’t Overwork the Dough: For a tender, melt-in-your-mouth shortbread texture, work the butter into the flour mixture until it just comes together. Overmixing develops gluten and will result in a tough crust.
- Chill Your Topping: For an extra-crisp crumble topping, place the reserved 1 ½ cups of crumble mixture in the freezer for 10-15 minutes while you prepare the apple filling. The cold butter will create steam pockets in the oven, leading to a lighter, crispier texture.
- Control Your Caramel: When making the caramel, never walk away from the pan. Sugar can go from perfect amber to burnt in a matter of seconds. Keep the heat on medium and stir constantly for flawless results.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What are the best apples to use for these bars?
The best apples are those that are firm and tart. This provides a necessary structural integrity so they don’t turn to mush, and the tartness balances the sweetness of the sugar and caramel. My top recommendations are Granny Smith for their classic tartness, or Honeycrisp and Braeburn for a slightly sweeter but still firm option.
How do I store these Salted Caramel Apple Bars?
Once completely cooled, you can store the bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. If you prefer them chilled or need to store them longer, they will keep in the refrigerator for up to a week. The crust will soften slightly upon refrigeration but they will still be absolutely delicious.
Conclusion
From the buttery shortbread foundation to the glorious crown of salted caramel, this dessert is a masterclass in balance. These Salted Caramel Apple Bars are more than just a recipe; they are a celebration of autumn’s finest offerings, crafted to be both simple to make and impossible to forget. It’s an elegant, satisfying treat that proves gourmet flavor is accessible to everyone. Don’t forget to share this apple recipe with your friends!
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OOLALA
This turned out so awesome they look like they came from a exspensive bakery.
Just a question
So what about the grease from the meat? Should I use the leanest meats or is the grease give more flavor.
What about a meatloaf on top of veggies ? Would that work?
Ingredients list good, directions lacking
There were great details on quantities of ingredients I should use, but the recipe didn’t tell me the cook time. Also, mentioned in the section about “common mistakes” that you need to let it chill enough but doesn’t direct you in the recipe that you need to let it chill. More details would be helpful
Dressing is perfect!
Not a big fan of mayo, loved the Greek yogurt swap. Reduced garlic a bit. Dressing was delish!
Best coffee cake- ever!!
This recipe was not the easiest to follow due to how it was written. It requires a lot of back and forth from instructions to the lists of ingredients but oh, hey, the end result is totally worth the effort! Mouthwatering and delicious plus it’s a pretty presentation.
