Caramel Apple Bars are a delicious and simple dessert for the fall season! They have a delicious crust made of crumbly and chewy oat cookies, and they’re filled with sweet apple pie and buttery caramel. They’re the perfect treat for autumn!
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Is there any fruit that feels more like fall than a crisp, juicy apple? From Caramel Apples to warm Apple Pie to a classic raw snack, this versatile fruit is both healthy and delicious in any form. With these easy Caramel Apple Pie Bars, you can enjoy all three treats at the same time!
Next time you need a quick apple dessert, give these Caramel Apple Bars a try! They’re made with common pantry ingredients and any apples you have on hand. You can have these apple pie bars ready to eat in just an hour, from start to finish.
These delicious Caramel Apple Bars capture all the flavors you love in apple pie and add a surprise layer of chewy, gooey caramel. One bite, and you might prefer them over a regular pie. Plus, they’re perfect for a crowd, making them an ideal fall dessert for parties, potlucks, bake sales, or when you’re on the go.
What kind of Apples do you use?
You can use any tart, firm baking apples for this recipe, similar to what you’d use in other apple desserts. Granny Smith is a popular choice, but Golden Delicious, Jonagold, or sweet Honeycrisp apples work well too. In this Caramel Apple Pie Bar recipe, the peeled apples are typically cut into chunks, but you can also try slicing them thin with the skin on for a pretty, layered appearance.
Making Caramel Apple Bars is really straightforward. The crust and streusel topping are prepared together in a large bowl in just a few minutes. For the apple filling, simply toss peeled apples in flour and cinnamon. The caramel layer is easily made in the microwave! It’s essentially the simplest (and most delicious) apple pie, and it’s a recipe that even kids can help with.
How to Serve Caramel Apple Pie Bars:
Caramel Apple Pie Bars are at their best when warm and fresh from the oven. Allow them to cool before cutting to prevent oozing. Alternatively, serve them hot like a cobbler and pair them with Vanilla Ice Cream or Whipped Cream. For an extra dose of caramel goodness, drizzle Salted Caramel Sauce over the bars before serving.
Variations on Caramel Apple Bars:
- Fruit: Feel free to experiment with other fruits or berries in place of apples. Blueberries, peaches, plums, or raspberries can all add delicious flavor to these bars.
- Nuts: Swap pecans for almonds or walnuts. For added nutty crunch, sprinkle larger chopped nuts over the streusel before baking.
- Apple Cider: Infuse more fall flavor by adding a tablespoon of apple cider when melting the caramel or by tossing the apples in apple cider.
- Spices: Besides cinnamon, try incorporating a tsp of nutmeg, ground clove, or cardamom. You can also substitute the cinnamon with a tablespoon of apple pie spice or Pumpkin Pie Spice.
- Caramel: Save time by using store-bought caramel apple dip or caramel ice cream topping instead of making melted caramel sauce.
- Shortbread Crust: For a more classic taste, create a shortbread crust by replacing the brown sugar with ½ cup white sugar, adding a tsp of vanilla, and omitting rolled oats. Use part of the crust as a topping or make a streusel with brown sugar, flour, oats, and melted butter.
How to Store Caramel Apple Bars:
- Serve: Caramel Apple Bars can be kept at room temperature for up to 3 days in an airtight container. To prevent excess moisture, line the container with paper towels.
- Store: Refrigerate Caramel Apple Pie Bars for about 1 week in a container lined with paper towels. Allow them to reach room temperature before serving to soften the caramel.
- Freeze: Cut the cooled bars and store them in a sealed container with parchment paper between layers. Freeze Caramel Apple Bars for about 6 months. Thaw them overnight in the refrigerator before serving.
Love apples? Be sure to check out these other great apple recipes!
Apple Crisp Cream Cheese Bars
Apple Crumble Cake
Cinnamon Apple Crumb Cake
Apple Crumble Cheesecake
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