Description
These Salted Caramel Apple Crumble Bars are the ultimate fall dessert, featuring a buttery oat crust topped with tender spiced apples, rich caramel sauce, and a sprinkle of flaky sea salt. Easy to make and perfect for sharing, these bars combine sweet and salty flavors with a delightful crumbly texture.
Ingredients
Scale
Crust and Crumble
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup rolled oats
- 1/2 cup light brown sugar, packed
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
Apple Filling
- 2 large apples, peeled, cored, and diced
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
Topping
- 1/2 cup caramel sauce (store-bought or homemade)
- 1/4 teaspoon flaky sea salt
- 1/4 cup chopped pecans (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the Oven and Pan: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F. Line a 9×9-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang for easy removal later.
- Make the Crust Mixture: In a medium bowl, combine the flour, oats, brown sugar, salt, and 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon. Stir in the melted butter until the mixture forms coarse crumbs.
- Form the Crust: Press about two-thirds of the crumb mixture evenly into the prepared baking pan to create the crust base.
- Prepare Apple Filling: In another bowl, toss the diced apples with granulated sugar, lemon juice, 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, and nutmeg until evenly coated.
- Assemble the Bars: Spread the apple mixture evenly over the crust. Drizzle caramel sauce over the apples and sprinkle with chopped pecans if using.
- Add the Crumble Topping: Crumble the remaining oat mixture over the top and gently press down to help it adhere during baking.
- Bake: Bake the bars for 35 to 40 minutes, until the top is golden brown and the apples are tender.
- Finish: Remove from the oven and immediately sprinkle the top with flaky sea salt. Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan before lifting them out using the parchment overhang and cutting into 16 bars.
Notes
- Warm the caramel sauce slightly before drizzling for extra gooey bars.
- Use tart apple varieties such as Granny Smith to balance the sweetness.
- Store bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for up to 5 days.
- Serve warm with vanilla ice cream for a decadent dessert experience.
