Salted Caramel Apple Crumble Bars

This is THE fall dessert. Am I biased? Absolutely. However, this thick shortbread topped with cinnamon apples and a crunchy brown sugar streusel is impossible not to love. They are the perfect dessert to start the fall baking season. While there are a few elements, you do not need a stand mixer or any specialty ingredients!

Salted Caramel Topping

If you do not want to make the salted caramel from scratch, I recommend the William’s Sonoma brand, StoneWall Kitchen, or Smuckers. Make sure to taste before to see if it is salted to your liking, and then add your flakey salt accordingly! If you DO wish to make the salted caramel from scratch, this is my all time favorite recipe from the best Sally’s Baking Addiction.

3 Reviews

Salted Caramel Apple Crumble Bars

These bars are your favorite fall dessert in decadent bar form. A thick shortbread crust with a perfectly cooked apple filling, a crunchy brown sugar streusel top and salted caramel.

PRep TimePrep Time 40 minutes mins

Cook TimeCook Time 40 minutes mins

Servings 9 bars

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Equipment

• 1 8X8 pan
• Parchment Paper

Ingredients

Shortbread Crust

• 1 cup unsalted butter melted (226g)
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar (100g)
• 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 cups + 2 Tablespoons cups all-purpose flour 265g

Apple Filling

• 4 tbsp butter
• 2 lbs thinly sliced honeycrisp apples about 6 whole apples
• ¾ cup packed brown sugar
• 2 tsp cinnamon
• ¼ tsp kosher salt
• 2 tbsp all purpose flour

Brown Sugar Streusel Top

• 3/4 cups all purpose flour (97g)
• 1/2 cup + 2 tablespoons cups quick oats (62g)
• 6 tablespoons dark brown sugar (75g)
• 1/4 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp kosher salt
• 6 tablespoons unsalted butter melted (78g)

Instructions

Shortbread Crust

• Preheat the oven to 350F. Line an 8X8 square pan with parchment paper, leaving overhang on the sides so you can lift them up when they are finished.
• In a large bowl. add the melted butter and sugar. Mix with a non-stick spatula until combined. Add in vanilla and mix again.
• Pour flour into the bowl, adding the salt directly on top of the flour and mix until very thick dough forms.
• Press dough (you can use your hands or the back of a measuring cup!) into the prepared pan in an even layer, making sure to smooth out the top.
• Bake for at least 25 minutes until the edges are lightly browned and the center is set. Remove from oven and set aside.

Apple Filling

• In a large saucepan over medium-low heat, add the butter. Let the butter melt and add in the apples. Sauté until slightly softened, about 8 minutes. Add in the brown sugar and cinnamon and continue to cook, stirring often, until apples are soft and caramelized, stirring often, about 5 more minutes. Stir well and add in the flour. Mix flour thoroughly into the liquid in the pan ensuring that there are no clumps. Bring heat up to medium- medium-high and bring the apples to a simmer, let simmer for 2 minutes and turn off the heat. At this point, the apples should be soft and the liquid surrounding them should have thickened. Set aside.

Brown Sugar Streusel Topping

• Combine all ingredients in a large bowl, mixing with a non-stick spatula or wooden spoon until a clumpy thick dough forms.

Assembly and Baking

• Pour the apple filling over the top of the par-baked shortbread crust. Smooth the top into an even layer with a spatula.
• Crumble the streusel on top of the apple filling making sure to cover the entire pan.
• Bake at 350 for at least 35 minutes, or until the top is golden brown. This could take up to 50 minutes depending on your oven. Remove from oven and let cool in the pan. If topping with salted caramel, drizzle on top when bars are cooled. Slice and enjoy!

Video

@lilypcrumbs

Salted caramel apple crumble bars! Technically, is this an apple crumble or an apple crisp? Let me know. Also, im thinking this may be the last apple recipe for a minute, have we had enough apple? #appledessert #applecrisp #applecrumble #saltedcaramel #applepie #applepiebars

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