Experience the allure of Salted Caramel Apple Pie Bars. A golden buttery crust cradles tender, spiced apples crowned by a rich salted caramel drizzle. Each bite perfectly harmonizes sweet, tart, and savory notes, recreating the essence of a classic apple pie in an easier, more enticing treat.

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I’m really excited to share my take on Salted Caramel Apple Pie Bars as found on sallysbakingaddiction.com. This recipe offers a tasty twist on regular apple pie, and it’s so much easier to make.

I mixed 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, 1/2 cup granulated sugar and 1/4 teaspoon salt with 1 cup cold, cubed unsalted butter to form a perfect crisp crust. For the filling I used 4 peeled and chopped apples (about 3 cups), 1/2 cup granulated sugar, 1/2 cup packed brown sugar, 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg, a tablespoon of lemon juice and 2 tablespoons flour.

Then came the salted caramel topping with 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar, 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, 1/2 cup heavy cream, 1/2 teaspoon sea salt and a teaspoon vanilla extract. Its nutritional value is interesting with the natural sugars from apples combined with a mix inspired by recipes like those from Paula Deen and others.

Enjoy, its super delish even if its not perfect!

Why I Like this Recipe

I really like this recipe for a few reasons. First, i love how easy it is to make – it doesn’t take forever like a traditional apple pie and still turns out super delish. Second, the crust comes out buttery and crumbly and gives a great crunch that i honestly can’t get enough of. Third, the apple filling with its cinnamon and nutmeg mix always reminds me of cozy family dinners, and its simplicity makes it feel homey. Lastly, that salted caramel drizzle on top is amazing; its perfect balance of sweet and salty makes every bite exciting and leaves me wanting more.

These salted caramel apple pie bars are seriously outta this world. I mean, its so much easier to whip up than a full blown apple pie but still manages to deliver all the flavor. Trust me, once you try it, you’ll be hooked!

Ingredients

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All-purpose flour gives the pie bars structure and carbohydrates for energy.
Unsalted butter adds rich flavor and creates a flaky, tender crust.
Apples bring natural fiber and a sweet-tart burst that makes filling delicious.
Granulated sugar is key for sweetness in both the crust and caramel sauce.
Heavy cream makes the salted caramel smooth and decadently creamy.
Brown sugar offers a deep molasses flavor that boosts the apple filling.
Cinnamon warms the mix, adding a cozy, autumn vibe.
Sea salt balances and intensifies the sweet notes in caramel.
Lemon juice brightens the apples with a tangy kick.
Vanilla extract infuses a subtle, inviting aroma throughout the dessert.

Ingredient Quantities

2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1/2 cup granulated sugar (for the crust)

1/4 teaspoon salt (for the crust)

1 cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed (for the crust)

4 medium apples, peeled and chopped (about 3 cups)

1/2 cup granulated sugar (for the apple filling)

1/2 cup brown sugar, packed (for the apple filling)

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1 tablespoon lemon juice

2 tablespoons all-purpose flour (for the apple filling)

1 1/2 cups granulated sugar (for the salted caramel)

6 tablespoons unsalted butter (for the salted caramel)

1/2 cup heavy cream (for the salted caramel)

1/2 teaspoon sea salt (plus extra for garnish)

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

How to Make this

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1. Preheat your oven to 350°F and grease a 9×13 inch pan. In a bowl, whisk 2 1/2 cups flour, 1/2 cup granulated sugar (for the crust) and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Then cut in 1 cup cold, cubed butter until the mixture is crumbly. Press the crust evenly into the pan.

2. Bake the crust for about 20 minutes until it just starts to get lightly golden.

3. Meanwhile, take 4 medium peeled and chopped apples (about 3 cups) and toss them with 1/2 cup granulated sugar, 1/2 cup packed brown sugar, 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon, 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg, 1 tablespoon lemon juice and 2 tablespoons flour in a large bowl.

4. Once the crust is partially baked, remove it from the oven and evenly spread the apple mixture over the crust.

5. Now, make the salted caramel. In a heavy saucepan over medium heat, combine 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar. Stir a bit until it melts fully and turns a nice amber color.

6. Carefully add 6 tablespoons unsalted butter to the melted sugar; it may bubble a lot so be cautious. Stir until the butter is completely melted.

7. Remove the saucepan from the heat and slowly whisk in 1/2 cup heavy cream. Keep stirring until the caramel is smooth. Then mix in 1/2 teaspoon sea salt and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract.

8. Pour the salted caramel over the apple filling evenly.

9. Sprinkle a little extra sea salt on top for garnish, then return the pan to the oven.

10. Bake everything for an additional 35-40 minutes until the apples are tender. Let the bars cool completely in the pan before slicing into squares and serving. Enjoy your mind-blowing treats!

Equipment Needed

1. Oven (preheated to 350°F)
2. 9×13 inch baking pan (to grease and bake the crust)
3. Measuring cups and spoons (for all the ingredients)
4. Mixing bowls – one small bowl for the crust ingredients and one large bowl for tossing the apple filling
5. Whisk (for mixing both the dry ingredients and the caramel)
6. Pastry cutter or fork (to cut cold, cubed butter into the flour mixture)
7. Heavy saucepan (for melting sugar and making the salted caramel)
8. Spatula (for stirring the apple filling and evenly spreading the caramel)
9. Oven mitts (for safely handling hot pans)
10. Knife and cutting board (for chopping the apples if they’re not prepped)

FAQ

Can I use different apples?

Sure, you can use any firm apple like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp. They might change the flavor a little bit, but they'll still taste great.

How do I know when the crust is done?

The crust is golden brown around the edges and firm in the center. Just be careful not to overbake it.

Can I make the salted caramel ahead of time?

Yeah, you can prepare it in advance, but let it just cool a bit before drizzling over the bars. Warming it up a little can make it easier to pour too.

Do I have to use heavy cream for the caramel?

Heavy cream works best for a rich caramel sauce, but if you dont have any you can try using half-and-half. The texture may be a bit different though.

Salted Caramel Apple Pie Bars Recipe Substitutions and Variations

Try whole wheat flour instead of all-purpose flour for a more wholesome crust but be aware it can be a bit denser
You can swap unsalted butter with coconut oil or margarine if you don’t have butter on hand – note that it might slightly change the taste
Instead of using heavy cream in the salted caramel, half and half works fine if you want a lighter version
Use tart varieties like Granny Smith apples instead of regular sweet apples to give the filling a bit of tang
You can replace brown sugar with coconut sugar for the apple filling; it adds a deeper flavor and works just as well

Pro Tips

1. Keep your butter so cold when you cube it up for the crust, cause if it starts warming up you might end up with a dough that doesn’t crumple right and the texture just won’t work out.

2. When you’re making the salted caramel, add the butter slowly and stir real steady even though it can bubble like crazy; it’s kind of tricky but taking your time here really pays off.

3. Toss the apples with the lemon juice and sugars and let them sit a minute first so they start to mix together well, that way you’re not surprised if some pieces get too soft later.

4. Let the bars cool completely in the pan before you try to slice them because if you cut them too early they can fall apart and ruin all your hard work.