When autumn arrives, nothing says cozy comfort quite like apples and caramel. These Salted Caramel Apple Crumble Bars combine the sweet-tart juiciness of baked apples with buttery crumble and rich salted caramel drizzle. Each bite is a perfect balance of chewy, gooey, and crisp.
If you’re craving easy fall dessert recipes that bring the flavors of apple pie without the hassle of rolling dough, these bars are for you. They’re budget-friendly, quick to prepare, and perfect for families looking for a comforting treat that doubles as a potluck favorite or holiday dessert.
Whether you serve them warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or pack them up for a school bake sale, these caramel apple dessert bars are destined to be a seasonal favorite.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Simple Ingredients – Everyday pantry staples make this recipe fuss-free.
- Better Than Apple Pie – All the flavor, none of the pie crust stress.
- Crowd-Pleasing Dessert – Perfect for Thanksgiving, potlucks, or weekend baking.
- Budget-Friendly Treat – Uses affordable ingredients found in any grocery store.
- Make-Ahead Friendly – Bake, cool, and store for days of fall snacking.
- Versatile Flavor – Swap in different fruits or toppings for year-round enjoyment.
Ingredient Breakdown
Here’s how each ingredient makes these bars irresistible:
- Unsalted Butter (1 cup, melted) – The backbone of the crumble, creating richness and a golden, buttery crust.
- Granulated Sugar (1 ½ cups) – Sweetens both the crust and crumble topping.
- Vanilla Extract (1 tsp) – Enhances flavor with warm, aromatic notes.
- Salt (½ tsp) – Balances sweetness and intensifies flavor.
- All-Purpose Flour (2 ½ cups) – Provides structure and creates that crumbly texture.
- Apples (3 cups, peeled and sliced) – The star of the show; choose tart varieties like Granny Smith for balance.
- Salted Caramel Sauce (½ cup) – Adds indulgent sweetness and gooey texture.
- Ground Cinnamon (1 tsp) – Brings warm spice that screams fall.
- Ground Nutmeg (¼ tsp) – Adds depth and enhances the apple-caramel combination.
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Preheat & Prep the Pan
Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a 9×13 inch baking pan with parchment paper for easy cleanup and smooth cutting.
2. Make the Crumble Base
In a large bowl, whisk together melted butter, sugar, vanilla, and salt. Stir in the flour until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
3. Form the Crust
Press about two-thirds of the crumble mixture firmly into the prepared pan to form the crust. Reserve the rest for topping.
4. Prepare the Apples
In a separate bowl, toss sliced apples with cinnamon and nutmeg until evenly coated.
5. Assemble the Bars
Spread the apple mixture over the crust. Drizzle salted caramel sauce evenly over the apples. Sprinkle the remaining crumble mixture over the top.
6. Bake
Bake for 40–45 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the apples are tender.
7. Cool & Slice
Allow the bars to cool completely before slicing into squares or rectangles. Serve as-is or with ice cream for extra indulgence.
Pro Tips for Perfect Crumble Bars
- Use Firm Apples – Granny Smith or Honeycrisp hold up best in baking.
- Chill Before Cutting – Refrigerating for 30 minutes makes neater slices.
- Add Extra Caramel – Drizzle more caramel on top after baking for bakery-style presentation.
- Serve Warm with Ice Cream – Turn these bars into an apple crumble sundae.
- Double Batch for Crowds – This recipe is easy to scale up for holidays.
Ingredient Swaps & Variations
- Gluten-Free Bars – Use a gluten-free flour blend for the crumble.
- Nutty Twist – Add chopped pecans or walnuts to the topping.
- Low-Sugar Version – Reduce sugar or use coconut sugar for a lighter treat.
- Berry Version – Swap apples for mixed berries in spring and summer.
- Pumpkin Spice Upgrade – Replace cinnamon and nutmeg with pumpkin pie spice for a seasonal twist.
Serving Suggestions
- Classic Fall Dessert – Serve warm with extra salted caramel drizzle.
- With Coffee or Tea – A cozy pairing for crisp fall mornings.
- Holiday Dessert Table – Perfect alongside pumpkin pie or pecan pie.
- Lunchbox Treat – Pack in parchment for kids’ snacks or school lunches.
- Party Dessert Bars – Cut into bite-sized squares for easy serving at potlucks.
Make Ahead + Storage Tips
- Make Ahead – Bake a day before serving; flavors intensify overnight.
- Refrigerate – Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.
- Freeze – Wrap individual bars in plastic and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature.
- Reheat – Warm in the oven for 10 minutes at 300°F for that fresh-baked taste.
- Leftover Hacks – Crumble over yogurt or ice cream for a quick parfait.
Cultural or Historical Notes
Apple desserts have been a staple of American comfort food for centuries, with apple pie often dubbed “America’s favorite dessert.” These bars are a modern twist on the classic, transforming the nostalgic flavors of apple pie into a convenient, handheld dessert that’s perfect for today’s busy families.
The addition of salted caramel reflects the modern trend of sweet-and-salty flavor pairings, making this recipe both traditional and trendy.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. What’s the best apple for these bars?
Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or Braeburn work best since they stay firm and balance sweetness with tartness.
2. Can I use store-bought caramel sauce?
Yes! Store-bought salted caramel works great, but homemade caramel will take it to the next level.
3. Can I make these bars gluten-free?
Absolutely. Just substitute a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend.
4. Do these bars need to be refrigerated?
Yes, to keep the apples fresh, store leftovers in the refrigerator.
5. Can I freeze caramel apple crumble bars?
Yes, wrap them individually and freeze for up to 2 months. They thaw beautifully at room temperature.
Salted Caramel Apple Crumble Bars
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a 9×13 inch baking pan with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, combine melted butter, sugar, vanilla extract, and salt.
- Add flour and stir until crumbly. Press about two-thirds of the mixture evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan.
- In a separate bowl, toss sliced apples with cinnamon and nutmeg. Spread apple mixture over the crust in the pan.
- Drizzle salted caramel sauce over the apples. Crumble the remaining flour mixture over the top.
- Bake for 40-45 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the apples are tender.
- Let cool completely in the pan before cutting into bars.
