Description
Delight in these indulgent Salted Caramel Apple Bars, featuring a buttery crumb crust, tender cinnamon-spiced apples, a luscious drizzle of caramel sauce, and a golden, crunchy crumble topping finished with a sprinkle of sea salt flakes. Perfect as a comforting dessert or a sweet snack.
Ingredients
Scale
Crust
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 tsp sea salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
Apple Filling
- 2 large apples, peeled, cored, and diced
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
Crumble Topping
- 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, cold and cut into cubes
Garnish
- 1/2 cup caramel sauce
- 1/2 tsp sea salt flakes
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line a 9×9-inch baking dish with parchment paper to ensure easy removal of the bars.
- Make the Crust: In a medium bowl, combine 1 1/2 cups flour, sugar, and 1/4 teaspoon sea salt. Add the melted butter and stir until the mixture forms coarse crumbs evenly mixed together.
- Form and Bake Crust: Press this crumb mixture firmly and evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking dish to create the base crust. Bake for 15 minutes or until the edges turn lightly golden, indicating it is set.
- Prepare Apple Filling: In a separate bowl, toss the peeled, cored, and diced apples with lemon juice, ground cinnamon, and 1/4 cup flour until the apples are thoroughly coated, which will help thicken the filling while baking.
- Make Crumble Topping: Mix brown sugar, 1/2 cup flour, and the cold butter cubes in a bowl. Use your fingers to rub the butter into the flour and sugar mixture until it resembles wet sand, creating a crumbly topping.
- Assemble Layers: Remove the crust from the oven and evenly spread the apple filling over it. Drizzle the caramel sauce evenly over the apples to add a rich, sweet layer.
- Add Crumble Topping: Spread the prepared crumble mixture evenly over the apple and caramel layer to finish the assembly.
- Bake the Bars: Return the baking dish to the oven and bake for 35 to 40 minutes, or until the crumble topping turns golden brown and the apples underneath are tender and bubbling.
- Final Garnish: Remove the pan from the oven and immediately sprinkle the sea salt flakes over the top, allowing the salt to gently dissolve into the caramel and crumble.
- Cool and Serve: Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan to set properly, then cut into bars and serve. Enjoy the perfect balance of sweet, salty, and fruity flavors!
Notes
- Use tart apples like Granny Smith or Braeburn for a balance of sweetness and acidity.
- You can substitute caramel sauce with homemade caramel or dulce de leche for a richer taste.
- Ensure the butter for the crumble is cold to achieve a crumbly, sandy texture rather than a dough.
- Allow bars to cool fully in the pan before cutting to prevent them from falling apart.
- Store leftover bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerated for up to 5 days.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 55 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
