Salted Caramel Apple Bars are a decadent, cozy dessert layered with tender spiced apples, a buttery oat crumble, and finished with a luscious drizzle of homemade salted caramel. With their balance of sweet and salty flavors, warm spices, and melt-in-your-mouth texture, these bars are the perfect fall-inspired treat for gatherings, bake sales, or a simple afternoon indulgence.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
These bars deliver everything you want in a comforting dessert: soft, cinnamon-kissed apples, a chewy golden oat crust, and the unmistakable richness of real caramel with a touch of sea salt. The layered structure makes each bite complex and satisfying, while the simple ingredients and step-by-step method make it approachable for home bakers. Whether served warm or chilled, they’re always a hit.
ingredients
(Tip: You can find the complete list of ingredients and their measurements in the recipe card below.)
For the crust and crumble:
- all-purpose flour
- old-fashioned oats
- brown sugar, packed
- unsalted butter, melted
- salt
- ground cinnamon
For the apple filling:
- medium apples, peeled and thinly sliced
- lemon juice
- all-purpose flour
- granulated sugar
- ground cinnamon
- ground nutmeg
For the salted caramel:
- granulated sugar
- butter
- heavy cream
- sea salt
directions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper for easy removal.
- In a medium bowl, combine flour, oats, brown sugar, melted butter, salt, and cinnamon for the crust and crumble. Mix until crumbly.
- Press two-thirds of the crumble mixture firmly into the bottom of the prepared pan to form the crust. Reserve the remaining third for the topping.
- In a separate bowl, toss the thinly sliced apples with lemon juice, flour, sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg until evenly coated.
- Spread the apple filling over the crust in an even layer.
- Sprinkle the remaining crumble mixture over the apples.
- Bake for 35–40 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the apples are soft and bubbling.
- While the bars are baking, prepare the salted caramel. In a saucepan over medium heat, melt the sugar, stirring constantly, until golden and fully dissolved.
- Stir in the butter until melted and smooth. Carefully whisk in the heavy cream. Let it simmer for 1–2 minutes until thickened, then stir in the sea salt. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
- Let the bars cool completely before drizzling with the salted caramel. Once set, slice into 9 squares and serve.
Servings and timing
Servings: 9 bars
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cooking Time: 40 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour
Calories per Bar: Approximately 310 kcal
Variations
- Add Nuts: Stir chopped pecans or walnuts into the crumble topping for added crunch.
- Different Apples: Use a mix of tart and sweet apples (e.g., Granny Smith and Honeycrisp) for more flavor complexity.
- Spice It Up: Add a pinch of ground cloves or allspice to the apple mixture for deeper spice notes.
- Caramel Shortcut: Use store-bought salted caramel sauce to save time.
- Gluten-Free Option: Substitute all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend.
storage/reheating
Store the bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or refrigerate for up to 5 days. If refrigerated, allow them to come to room temperature before serving or warm briefly in the microwave for 15–20 seconds. The salted caramel may firm up in the fridge, so reheat slightly if needed for a smoother drizzle.
FAQs
Can I make these bars ahead of time?
Yes, they’re perfect for making a day in advance. Store them in the refrigerator and drizzle with caramel just before serving.
What type of apples work best?
Firm apples like Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or Braeburn are ideal as they hold their shape well during baking.
Can I double the recipe?
Yes, double all ingredients and use a 9×13-inch pan. Adjust baking time to 45–50 minutes.
How do I keep the crust from becoming soggy?
Make sure to press the crust firmly and bake until the top is golden to ensure a crisp base.
Is there a dairy-free option for the caramel?
Yes, you can substitute the butter and cream with plant-based alternatives like vegan butter and coconut cream.
Can I use quick oats instead of old-fashioned oats?
Old-fashioned oats give the best texture, but quick oats can be used in a pinch—expect a softer crumb.
Can I freeze the bars?
Yes, freeze them (without caramel) wrapped tightly for up to 2 months. Thaw and drizzle with caramel before serving.
How do I store leftover caramel?
Store leftover salted caramel in a sealed jar in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. Reheat gently before using.
Can I use a different sweetener in the crust?
Coconut sugar or maple sugar can be used instead of brown sugar, but may slightly alter the flavor.
Are these bars meant to be eaten warm or cold?
They are delicious both ways—warm with a scoop of ice cream or chilled as a chewy, sweet snack.
Conclusion
Salted Caramel Apple Bars are the ultimate cozy dessert, combining layers of warm spice, buttery crumble, tender apples, and a generous drizzle of salted caramel. Whether you’re baking for a fall gathering or simply treating yourself, these bars offer an irresistible balance of flavor and texture. Easy to prepare and even easier to love, they’re sure to become a seasonal favorite.
Print
Salted Caramel Apple Bars
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 9 bars
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Salted Caramel Apple Bars are the perfect cozy dessert, combining buttery oat crumble, cinnamon-spiced apples, and a luscious homemade salted caramel drizzle. Sweet, salty, and incredibly comforting, these easy fall dessert bars are ideal for baking season or any time you crave a warm apple treat.
Ingredients
For the crust and crumble:
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1 cup all-purpose flour
-
1/2 cup old-fashioned oats
-
1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
-
1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
-
1/4 teaspoon salt
-
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
For the apple filling:
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3 medium apples, peeled and thinly sliced
-
1 tablespoon lemon juice
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2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
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1/4 cup granulated sugar
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1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
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1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
For the salted caramel:
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1/2 cup granulated sugar
-
3 tablespoons butter
-
1/4 cup heavy cream
-
1/4 teaspoon sea salt
Instructions
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Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper.
-
In a bowl, combine all crust ingredients until crumbly. Press 2/3 of the mixture into the bottom of the pan for the crust. Set aside the rest for the topping.
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In another bowl, toss the apple slices with lemon juice, flour, sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
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Evenly layer the apple mixture over the crust.
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Sprinkle the reserved crumble mixture over the apples.
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Bake for 35–40 minutes, until golden and the apples are soft.
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While baking, prepare the caramel: Melt the sugar in a saucepan over medium heat until golden. Add butter and stir until melted. Slowly whisk in cream, then stir in sea salt. Remove from heat and cool slightly.
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Once bars are baked and cooled, drizzle generously with salted caramel.
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Slice into 9 bars and serve.
Notes
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Use Honeycrisp or Granny Smith apples for best flavor.
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Caramel can be made ahead and stored in the fridge for up to a week.
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Bars can be stored in the refrigerator and gently reheated before serving.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Dessert / Bars / Fall Baking
- Method: Baked / Stovetop (for caramel)
- Cuisine: American
