Salted Caramel Apple Crisp Bars

Salted caramel apple crisp bars capture everything I adore about autumn in one bite. These bars deliver the cozy comfort of baked apples layered with a buttery crisp and finished with a salty rich caramel drizzle. They are perfect for gatherings or a simple weeknight dessert that makes your kitchen smell heavenly.

I made these for a fall hayride party and they vanished before anyone could get seconds so now I double the recipe every time

Gather Your Ingredients

• All-purpose flour: gives both structure and softness to the bar base and topping always choose fresh for flakiness
• Rolled oats: offer crunch and toasty flavor old-fashioned oats work best for texture
• Brown sugar: brings a deep caramel sweetness opt for dark brown sugar if you enjoy bolder molasses notes
• Cinnamon: infuses warmth and spice trust freshly ground for best results
• Salt: balances sugary ingredients a flaky sea salt gives a punch
• Unsalted butter: melts into the mix for rich chewiness use high quality for a cleaner taste
• Salted caramel sauce: is the decadent swirl use homemade or store-bought just look for a smooth pourable consistency
• Sturdy baking pan: makes the bars bake evenly a light-metal pan will prevent overbrowning on the edges
• Saucepan: ensures gentle melting so the caramel and butter blend smoothly and do not separate

How to Make It

Prepare dry mix:

In a large bowl thoroughly combine flour oats brown sugar cinnamon and salt using your hands or a whisk to break up any sugar lumps for an even distribution

Add butter:

Melt the butter gently and pour into the dry mix fold until a crumbly texture forms every flour bit should be moistened and mixture will have clumps that squeeze together but are not too wet

Form bottom crust:

Press about two thirds of the crumbly mixture firmly into a lined baking pan you want an even solid layer with corners pressed in for sturdy bars

Layer apples:

Slice apples thin and scatter evenly over the pressed base tuck pieces close to limit gaps so every bar gets bites of apple

Drizzle caramel:

Slowly spoon the salted caramel sauce over the apple layer aim for swirls and nooks instead of dumping in one spot this coats the apples and infuses the whole bar with caramel flavor

Top and bake:

Crumble the reserved topping over the caramel and apple layer then gently pat for contact Bake at 350 degrees F for about 25 minutes or until the topping is golden and bubbling at the edges your kitchen should smell like fall

Cool and cut:

Cool in the pan for at least 40 minutes room temperature helps bars slice cleanly Use a sharp knife to cut into squares wait until fully set to keep bars from falling apart

The brown sugar is my favorite ingredient because it melts into the crisp and caramel and reminds me of my grandmother’s apple pies Every time I make these bars my family ends up gathering in the kitchen drawn in by the sweet spiced scent even before the pan leaves the oven

Flavor Boosters

You can use Granny Smith apples for bright tartness or mix in Honeycrisp for something sweeter Out of brown sugar white sugar with a tablespoon of molasses added is a fine stand in If you need to make this gluten free swap in your favorite one to one gluten free flour and certified gluten free oats

Serving Suggestions

At its simplest these bars are delicious as is Warm a square for ten seconds and top with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or whipped cream and a pinch of flaky salt For special occasions drizzle with extra caramel and a handful of toasted pecans

Creative Twists

Try pears instead of apples later in the fall or add a pinch of cardamom for winter warmth In spring use rhubarb and strawberries with the same crisp topping and caramel

Letting the bars cool is the hardest part but helps them set and cut cleanly. Friends have asked for the recipe after the first bite and I have brought these bars to bake sales and watched them disappear before lunch.

Common Questions About This Recipe

→ What apples work best for this treat?

A mix of sweet and tart apples offers balanced flavor and texture for these bars.

→ How do I achieve a crumbly topping?

Combine oats, flour, brown sugar, and melted butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.

→ Can I use store-bought caramel sauce?

Yes, store-bought salted caramel sauce works well and saves time in preparation.

→ Is it necessary to serve them warm?

Serving them warm enhances the gooey caramel, but they are delicious at room temperature too.

→ What can I pair with these bars?

Vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream complements the sweet and salty notes perfectly.