Description
This caramel apple crumb bars recipe combines a buttery crust, spiced apple filling, gooey caramel, and a golden crumb topping for the ultimate fall-inspired treat. Perfect for holidays, gatherings, or an everyday sweet craving, these bars are easier to make than pie but just as comforting.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Crust & Topping:
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup old-fashioned oats
- 1 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed
For the Apple Filling:
- 4–5 medium apples (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp), peeled, cored, thinly sliced
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- ¼ tsp nutmeg
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tbsp flour or cornstarch
For the Caramel Layer:
- ¾ cup caramel sauce (homemade or store-bought)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13-inch pan with parchment paper.
- Make the crust/topping: In a large bowl, mix flour, oats, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Cut in cold butter until crumbly. Press half the mixture into the pan for the crust.
- Prepare apple filling: Toss sliced apples with sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, lemon juice, and flour until coated.
- Layer apples & caramel: Spread apples evenly over the crust, drizzle with caramel sauce.
- Add topping: Sprinkle remaining crumb mixture on top.
- Bake for 35–40 minutes or until golden and bubbly.
- Cool completely before slicing into bars.
Notes
- For best results, use tart apples like Granny Smith to balance the caramel sweetness.
- Add a pinch of flaky sea salt for salted caramel apple crumb bars.
- These bars store well in the fridge for 5 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months.
- Serve warm with vanilla ice cream for a bakery-style dessert.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 270 kcal
- Sugar: 21 g
- Sodium: 95 mg
- Fat: 13 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Carbohydrates: 36 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 35 mg