Description
These Salted Caramel Apple Crumble Bars combine a buttery crust, spiced apples, gooey caramel, and a golden crumble topping—all baked to perfection in under an hour. A cozy fall treat that’s as simple as it is irresistible.
Ingredients
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, melted
1½ cups granulated sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
½ tsp salt
2½ cups all-purpose flour
3 cups peeled and thinly sliced apples (about 3 medium)
½ cup salted caramel sauce
1 tsp ground cinnamon
¼ tsp ground nutmeg
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, mix melted butter, sugar, vanilla extract, and salt. Stir in flour until crumbly.
- Press about two-thirds of the mixture firmly into the bottom of the prepared pan to form the crust.
- In another bowl, toss sliced apples with cinnamon and nutmeg. Spread evenly over the crust.
- Drizzle salted caramel sauce over the apples.
- Crumble the remaining flour mixture evenly on top.
- Bake for 40–45 minutes, until the topping is golden brown and the apples are tender.
- Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan before slicing to help them hold their shape.
Notes
- Add chopped pecans or walnuts to the crumble for crunch.
- Use brown sugar instead of white sugar for a richer flavor.
- Substitute pumpkin spice for cinnamon and nutmeg for a seasonal twist.
- Add a splash of lemon juice to the apples to balance sweetness.
- Use pear slices in place of apples for a different fruit version.
- Drizzle extra caramel or melted white chocolate on top before serving.
- Add oats to the crumble for a more rustic texture.
- Use gluten-free flour to make the recipe gluten-free.
- Mix in raisins or dried cranberries with the apples for added sweetness.
- Serve warm with vanilla ice cream for a dessert-style treat.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40–45 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 280 kcal
- Sugar: 24 g
- Sodium: 120 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg
