Description
Indulge in these delightful Salted Caramel Apple Bars featuring a buttery crust, tender cinnamon-spiced apple filling, and a crunchy caramel crumble topping finished with a sprinkle of sea salt flakes. Perfect for autumn gatherings or anytime you crave a sweet, comforting treat.
Ingredients
Scale
Crust
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 tsp sea salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
Apple Filling
- 2 large apples, peeled, cored, and diced
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
Crumble Topping
- 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, cold and cut into cubes
Topping and Garnish
- 1/2 cup caramel sauce
- 1/2 tsp sea salt flakes
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line a 9×9-inch baking dish with parchment paper to ensure easy removal of the bars later.
- Make the Crust: In a medium bowl, combine 1 1/2 cups flour, sugar, and 1/4 tsp sea salt. Add the melted butter and stir until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Press this mixture firmly into the bottom of the prepared baking dish to form an even crust.
- Bake the Crust: Bake the crust for 15 minutes or until the edges turn lightly golden. This step helps set the base before adding the filling.
- Prepare the Apple Filling: In another bowl, toss the diced apples with lemon juice, cinnamon, and 1/4 cup flour until the apples are well coated. The lemon juice prevents browning and the flour thickens the filling while baking.
- Make the Crumble Topping: Mix the brown sugar, 1/2 cup flour, and cold butter cubes in a bowl. Use your fingers to rub the butter into the flour mixture until it resembles wet sand – this creates a crumbly texture for the topping.
- Assemble the Bars: Remove the crust from the oven. Spread the apple mixture evenly over the baked crust. Drizzle the caramel sauce over the apples, then evenly spread the crumble topping on top.
- Bake Until Golden: Return the dish to the oven and bake for 35-40 minutes, or until the crumble topping is golden brown and the apples are tender and bubbling.
- Finish with Sea Salt: Remove from the oven and immediately sprinkle with sea salt flakes to enhance the caramel’s sweetness and add a salty crunch.
- Cool and Serve: Allow the bars to cool completely in the baking pan on a wire rack. Once cooled, cut into bars and serve.
- Enjoy: These bars are perfect as a dessert or a sweet snack. Store any leftovers covered at room temperature for up to 3 days.
Notes
- Use tart apples like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp for the best balance of sweetness and acidity.
- The caramel sauce can be homemade or store-bought; choose a good quality sauce for richer flavor.
- Ensure the butter for the crumble topping is cold to achieve a proper crumbly texture.
- If you prefer a less sweet bar, reduce the amount of caramel sauce slightly.
- For easier slicing, chill the bars in the refrigerator for 1 hour after cooling.
