Salted Caramel Apple Crumble Bars

The buttery aroma of golden pastry mingling with cinnamon-spiced apples and rich salted caramel creates an irresistible symphony in these Salted Caramel Apple Crumble Bars. Each bite delivers the perfect balance of sweet, salty, and tangy flavors wrapped in contrasting textures that will leave you reaching for seconds. These delectable bars transform the classic apple crumble into a portable, giftable treat that works equally well for dessert, afternoon tea, or even breakfast (we won’t tell!). You’ll learn how to create bakery-worthy Salted Caramel Apple Crumble Bars with simple ingredients and straightforward techniques that guarantee success.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

These Salted Caramel Apple Crumble Bars are destined to become your new favorite fall dessert for several compelling reasons. First, the textural contrast between the buttery shortbread base, tender cinnamon-spiced apples, and crisp oat crumble topping creates an exciting mouthfeel that regular apple desserts can’t match. The addition of homemade salted caramel elevates these apple crumble squares to a gourmet level while requiring minimal effort.

What makes these bars truly special is their versatility – they’re elegant enough for holiday gatherings yet simple enough for weeknight treats. The portability factor makes them perfect for lunch boxes, picnics, or bake sales. Plus, they can be made ahead, saving you precious time when entertaining. The heavenly scent of these caramel apple bars baking will fill your kitchen with the quintessential aromas of autumn, making them as much an experience as a dessert.

Ingredients

For the Shortbread Base:

• 2 cups (250g) all-purpose flour
• ⅔ cup (135g) granulated sugar
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ¾ cup (170g) cold unsalted butter, cubed

For the Apple Filling:

• 4 medium (about 2 pounds/900g) Granny Smith apples, peeled and thinly sliced
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• ¼ cup (50g) brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ¼ teaspoon nutmeg

For the Salted Caramel:

• 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
• 6 tablespoons (85g) unsalted butter, room temperature
• ½ cup (120ml) heavy cream
• 1 teaspoon sea salt

For the Crumble Topping:

• 1 cup (125g) all-purpose flour
• ¾ cup (75g) old-fashioned oats
• ⅔ cup (135g) brown sugar
• ½ teaspoon cinnamon
• ½ cup (115g) unsalted butter, melted

The quality of apples is crucial for these Salted Caramel Apple Crumble Bars – Granny Smith apples provide the perfect tartness that balances the sweet caramel. For the caramel, using flaky sea salt rather than table salt gives a more complex flavor profile.

Pro Tips

Achieving bakery-quality Salted Caramel Apple Crumble Bars depends on mastering a few key techniques:

1. Cold Butter for the Perfect Base: For the shortbread layer, ensure your butter is truly cold and work it into the flour mixture just until it resembles coarse crumbs. Overworking leads to tough shortbread. After pressing into the pan, refrigerate for 15 minutes before baking to prevent shrinkage and ensure a crisp foundation for your apple bars.

2. The Caramel Secret: When making the salted caramel, patience is crucial. Heat the sugar over medium heat and resist the urge to stir – swirling the pan occasionally is sufficient. Watch for the amber color transformation, which happens quickly. Having all ingredients pre-measured and ready prevents the caramel from burning while you search for ingredients. If you’re nervous about making caramel, you can prepare it a day ahead and gently reheat before assembling.

3. Uniform Apple Slices: Slice your apples to an even thickness (about ⅛-inch) for consistent cooking. Tossing them immediately with lemon juice prevents browning and adds brightness to your apple layer. Pre-cooking the apples briefly before assembling ensures they’ll be perfectly tender in the finished bars without releasing excess moisture that could make your base soggy.

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Shortbread Base
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving overhang on the sides for easy removal. In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, and salt. Add the cold cubed butter and use a pastry cutter or your fingertips to work it into the dry ingredients until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Press this mixture firmly and evenly into the prepared pan, creating a smooth surface. Refrigerate for 15 minutes, then bake for 15-18 minutes until lightly golden. Remove from oven but keep the oven on.

Step 2: Prepare the Apple Filling
While the crust bakes, toss your sliced apples with lemon juice in a large bowl. In a separate small bowl, mix brown sugar, cornstarch, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Sprinkle this mixture over the apples and toss until evenly coated. In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the apple mixture for about 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until apples are slightly softened but not mushy. Remove from heat and set aside.

Step 3: Make the Salted Caramel
In a medium heavy-bottomed saucepan, spread the sugar in an even layer. Heat over medium heat, watching carefully. The sugar will begin to melt and turn amber (about 5-7 minutes). Once completely melted and amber-colored, carefully add the butter (it will bubble vigorously). Whisk until the butter is completely incorporated, about 2-3 minutes. Remove from heat and slowly pour in the heavy cream while whisking constantly. Stir in the sea salt. Allow to cool slightly while preparing the crumble topping.

Step 4: Make the Crumble Topping
In a medium bowl, combine flour, oats, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Pour in the melted butter and stir until the mixture forms moist crumbs that hold together when pressed.

Step 5: Assemble and Bake
Arrange the cooked apples in an even layer over the baked shortbread crust. Drizzle about ¾ cup of the salted caramel sauce over the apples (reserve the remaining caramel for serving). Sprinkle the crumble topping evenly over the caramel layer, gently pressing down. Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the filling is bubbling at the edges. Allow to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack before lifting out and cutting into bars.

Variations

Spiced Bourbon Apple Bars
Add a grown-up twist to your Salted Caramel Apple Crumble Bars by incorporating 2 tablespoons of bourbon to your apple mixture during cooking. The alcohol will cook off, leaving behind a sophisticated flavor that complements the caramel beautifully. Additionally, add ¼ teaspoon of cardamom and a pinch of cloves to the apple spice mixture for a complex spice profile that elevates the entire dessert.

Gluten-Free Caramel Apple Bars
Transform this recipe for dietary restrictions by substituting the all-purpose flour with a high-quality gluten-free flour blend (one containing xanthan gum works best). Replace regular oats with certified gluten-free oats in the crumble topping. The texture may be slightly different, but the delicious combination of apple crumble and salted caramel remains intact, allowing everyone to enjoy these delectable treats regardless of gluten sensitivities.

Maple Pecan Version
For a nutty variation, replace ¼ cup of the brown sugar in the crumble topping with pure maple syrup and fold in ½ cup of chopped pecans. In the caramel sauce, substitute ¼ cup of the granulated sugar with maple syrup for a complementary maple-caramel flavor that pairs wonderfully with the apples.

Storage and Serving

These Salted Caramel Apple Crumble Bars can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. For longer freshness, refrigerate them for up to 5 days – just bring to room temperature before serving for the best texture and flavor. They also freeze beautifully for up to 3 months; simply wrap individual bars in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil, and store in a freezer bag. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator when ready to enjoy.

For an indulgent dessert presentation, warm a bar slightly in the microwave for 15-20 seconds and serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream drizzled with the reserved salted caramel sauce. For an elegant afternoon tea option, cut them into smaller squares and dust lightly with powdered sugar. These bars also make a delicious addition to a fall brunch spread alongside hot apple cider or a cinnamon latte.

FAQs

Can I use pre-made caramel sauce?
Yes, you can substitute store-bought caramel sauce to save time, though homemade delivers superior flavor. If using store-bought, choose a high-quality thick caramel sauce and add ½ teaspoon of sea salt if it’s not already salted.

What’s the best apple variety for these bars?
Granny Smith apples work best for their tartness and firm texture that holds up during baking. However, you can use Honeycrisp, Pink Lady, or Braeburn, or even a combination for complex flavor in your Salted Caramel Apple Crumble Bars.

Can I make these bars ahead of time for an event?
Absolutely! These bars actually improve in flavor after resting for 24 hours as the flavors meld. Make them a day ahead for peak taste and convenience.

My caramel crystallized – what went wrong?
Crystallization typically happens when sugar crystals reintroduce themselves into the melting sugar. Avoid this by not stirring initially and ensuring your pan is absolutely clean before starting. A teaspoon of corn syrup can also help prevent crystallization.

Can I double this recipe?
Yes, simply double all ingredients and bake in two 9×13 pans rather than attempting to use a larger single pan, which may prevent even baking.

Conclusion

These Salted Caramel Apple Crumble Bars are comfort food at its finest — layers of buttery shortbread, spiced apples, and crunchy oat topping married together with rich salted caramel that creates a symphony of fall flavors in every bite. It’s the kind of dessert that transforms ordinary moments into special occasions while still being simple enough to make on a whim when apple cravings strike. Whether served at a holiday gathering, packed in a lunch box, or enjoyed with your afternoon coffee, these bars bring the essence of autumn to your table in the most delicious way possible.

Print