Easy Caramel Apple Bars
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Indulge in the cozy flavors of fall with Easy Caramel Apple Bars! A buttery shortbread base is topped with tender apple slices baked in a rich caramel maple sauce and finished with a sprinkle of oats. These bars are the perfect cross between apple crisp and shortbread, bringing warm caramelized apple goodness to every bite.
Why These Bars Always Win Hearts.
A buttery shortbread crust, soft cinnamon-kissed apples in a gooey caramel sauce come together in this easy dessert bar. These apple bars are the ultimate cozy fall treat. Sam x
Caramel & Apple Bliss – Sweet, syrupy apples baked into rich caramel
Easy Layers – Shortbread base + apple topping baked in two simple steps
Cozy Fall Treat – A cross between apple crisp and dessert bars
Watch how to make easy apple bars
Ingredients you’ll need
- All-purpose flour – creates the buttery shortbread base
- Light brown sugar – adds sweetness and caramel depth
- Unsalted butter – binds the base and enriches the caramel topping
- Pure maple syrup – for warm, rich caramel flavor
- Thickened/heavy cream – makes the caramel smooth and creamy
- Apples – Gala or Granny Smith, peeled, cored, and sliced
- Rolled oats – sprinkled on top for texture and crunch
Easy substitutions
- Apples: Use Honeycrisp, Pink Lady, or Fuji instead of Gala/Granny Smith.
- Oats: You can omit the oats or replace them with chopped pecans or walnuts for crunch.
How to make easy apple bars
Step 1: Place all base ingredients into a food processor and blend until the mixture resembles a loose crumb.
Step 2: Firmly press the crumbly base mixture into a lined pan using the back of a spoon or a flat-bottomed cup. ake for 20 minutes.
Step 3: Combine butter, sugar, maple syrup, and cream in a pot and heat gently until the butter melts, stirring without boiling. Gently stir through the sliced apple and salt.
Step 4: Pour the topping over the pre-baked base. Bake for a further 25-30 minutes. Remove from the oven and allow to cool in the pan for 45 minutes.
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If you enjoy this recipe, please consider leaving a ⭐️ star rating and a comment review below. I love to hear what you think and it’s much appreciated. Thank you! Your email address will not be published. Sam x
Easy Caramel Apple Bars
Ingredients
Method
- Preheat Oven: Preheat oven to 356ºF (180ºC).
- Line Tin: Line an 8×8-inch (20cm x 20cm) square baking pan with parchment paper, leaving some overhang on the sides for easy removal.
- Blend Ingredients: Place flour, sugar, and butter into a food processor. Blend until mixture resembles a loose crumb.
- Press: Firmly press crumb mixture into lined pan using the back of a spoon or flat-bottomed cup.
- Bake Base: Bake for 20 minutes until edges are lightly golden.
- Rest Base: Remove from oven and let sit for 5 minutes while preparing the topping.
- Prepare Apples: Peel, core, and slice apples into even wedges.
- Combine Ingredients: In a medium pot, add butter, brown sugar, maple syrup, and cream.
- Warm Mixture: Place over low heat until butter melts, stirring occasionally. Do not allow to boil.
- Boil: Increase heat to high and bring mixture to a boil. Boil for 2 minutes, stirring to prevent burning.
- Add Apples: Turn off heat and stir in sliced apples (and a pinch of salt if desired).
- Spread Topping: Pour evenly over pre-baked base.
- Add Oats: Sprinkle oats over the apples.
- Bake Again: Return to oven and bake 25–30 minutes until topping bubbles and turns golden.
- Cool: Remove from oven, cool in pan for 1 hour.
- Slice: Lift out using parchment overhang, transfer to rack, cool completely, and slice into bars.
Love the recipe. Much appreciated and thank you for sending this to me. Tina
Hi Tina, thank you so much, i hope you enjoy these apple bars! Sam x