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Caramel Apple Bars

Caramel apple bars layer a buttery baked crust with cinnamon apples and an oat crumb topping. After baking until the apples are tender and the topping is golden, they’re cooled and finished with a drizzle of caramel sauce.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 55 minutes
Cooling 2 hours
Total Time 3 hours 15 minutes
Servings: 24 servings
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Calories: 330
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the crust
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 0.5 cup granulated sugar
  • 0.25 tsp kosher salt
  • 1 cup unsalted butter melted
For the filling
  • 4 cups tart apples peeled, cored, and diced; about 4 medium
  • 0.33 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 0.13 tsp kosher salt
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice
For the crumb topping
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
  • 0.67 cup light brown sugar packed
  • 0.5 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 0.25 tsp kosher salt
  • 0.5 cup unsalted butter cold and cut into small cubes
For the caramel topping
  • 0.5 cup caramel sauce

Equipment

  • 1 9x13-inch baking pan

Method
 

Make the crust
  1. Heat the oven to 350°F.
  2. Grease a 9x13-inch baking pan, then line it with parchment paper, leaving an overhang, and lightly grease the parchment.
  3. In a medium bowl, stir together the flour, granulated sugar, and salt.
  4. Mix in the melted butter until evenly moistened.
  5. Press the mixture firmly into the pan.
  6. Bake for 15 to 18 minutes, until the crust is set and its edges are just beginning to turn golden.
Prepare the filling
  1. Toss the apples with the granulated sugar, flour, cinnamon, salt, and lemon juice.
  2. Spread the mixture evenly over the warm crust.
Make the crumb topping
  1. In a medium bowl, stir together the flour, oats, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt.
  2. Work in the cold butter with your fingers until the mixture forms coarse crumbs.
Assemble and bake the bars
  1. Scatter the crumb topping evenly over the apples.
  2. Bake for 35 to 40 minutes, until the topping is golden and the apples are tender when pierced with a knife.
Finish the bars
  1. Cool completely in the pan, about 2 hours.
  2. Warm the caramel sauce until pourable.
  3. Drizzle the caramel sauce over the bars.
  4. Use the parchment overhang to lift them out before cutting.

Notes

For a crisp crumb topping, work the cold butter in until coarse crumbs form. Store covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days; freeze the bars for up to 3 months. For a dairy-free option, use plant-based butter and dairy-free caramel sauce.