Salted Caramel Apple Crumble Bars

ByMadison Rae
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why make this recipe

Salted Caramel Apple Crumble Bars are a delicious way to celebrate the flavors of fall. This treat combines the sweetness of caramel, the tartness of apples, and a crumbly topping that is hard to resist. They are perfect for sharing at gatherings, offering something warm and comforting. With a preparation time of just 45 minutes, you can whip these up quickly for a family dessert or a potluck event. Once you try them, you’ll find it hard to stop at just one!

how to make Salted Caramel Apple Crumble Bars

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, melted
  • 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 3 cups peeled and thinly sliced apples (about 3 medium)
  • 1/2 cup salted caramel sauce
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

Directions:

  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a 9×13 inch baking pan with parchment paper for easy removal.
  2. In a large bowl, mix together the melted butter, granulated sugar, vanilla extract, and salt until well combined.
  3. Add the flour to the mixture and stir until the mixture looks crumbly. Take about two-thirds of this mixture and press it evenly into the bottom of your prepared pan.
  4. In a different bowl, toss the sliced apples with ground cinnamon and nutmeg. Spread this apple mixture over the layer in the pan.
  5. Drizzle the salted caramel sauce over the apples, making sure to cover them evenly. Crumble the remaining flour mixture over the top.
  6. Bake in the preheated oven for 40-45 minutes, or until the topping turns golden brown and the apples become tender.
  7. Let the bars cool completely in the pan before cutting into squares.

how to serve Salted Caramel Apple Crumble Bars

These bars are best served warm, but they are also delicious at room temperature. You can enjoy them plain, or add a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream for extra indulgence. For a delightful touch, drizzle some additional salted caramel sauce right before serving.

how to store Salted Caramel Apple Crumble Bars

Store any leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. If you want to keep them longer, you can refrigerate them, where they will stay fresh for about a week. To reheat, just pop them in the microwave for a few seconds until warmed through.

tips to make Salted Caramel Apple Crumble Bars

  • For easier slicing, let the bars cool completely in the pan.
  • Use a mix of sweet and tart apples for a more complex flavor.
  • Feel free to add nuts like walnuts or pecans to the crumble for added crunch.
  • If you love a stronger spice taste, increase the cinnamon or add a pinch of ginger.

variation (if any)

You can switch up the apples for other fruits like pears or peaches for a different twist. If you want a healthier version, consider using almond flour or whole wheat flour. Additionally, bringing in spices like pumpkin pie spice instead of just cinnamon and nutmeg can add a great hint of fall flavor.

FAQs

1. Can I freeze these bars?
Yes, you can freeze the salted caramel apple crumble bars. Just wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and then foil before placing them in the freezer. They should last for up to 3 months.

2. What type of apples work best for this recipe?
For this recipe, good choices are Granny Smith for tartness, Honeycrisp for sweetness, or a mix of both to balance flavors.

3. Can I make these bars gluten-free?
Yes, you can use a gluten-free flour blend in place of all-purpose flour to make these bars gluten-free. Just ensure that your caramel sauce is also gluten-free.

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Salted Caramel Apple Crumble Bars

  • Author: admin
  • Total Time: 60 minutes
  • Yield: 12 servings 1x
  • Diet: Vegetarian
Print Recipe

Description

Delicious bars featuring a combination of sweet caramel, tart apples, and a crumbly topping, ideal for fall gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, melted
  • 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 3 cups peeled and thinly sliced apples (about 3 medium)
  • 1/2 cup salted caramel sauce
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a 9×13 inch baking pan with parchment paper.
  2. In a large bowl, mix together the melted butter, granulated sugar, vanilla extract, and salt.
  3. Add the flour and stir until crumbly. Press two-thirds of this mixture into the bottom of the pan.
  4. In a separate bowl, toss the sliced apples with cinnamon and nutmeg, then spread over the crust.
  5. Drizzle the salted caramel sauce over the apples, then crumble the remaining mixture on top.
  6. Bake for 40-45 minutes until golden brown and apples are tender.
  7. Let cool completely in the pan before cutting into squares.

Notes

For best results, let bars cool completely before slicing. Use a mix of sweet and tart apples for more flavor.

  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 45 minutes
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 serving
  • Calories: 280
  • Sugar: 20g
  • Sodium: 200mg
  • Fat: 15g
  • Saturated Fat: 8g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 7g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 35g
  • Fiber: 2g
  • Protein: 2g
  • Cholesterol: 35mg

Keywords: caramel, apple, crumble, bars, dessert, fall

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Hi there—I’m Madison Rae, but everyone just calls me Maddy. I’m 38 years old, born and raised in Asheville, North Carolina, and these days I run a small but lively kitchen tucked in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains. My hands smell like garlic more often than not, and my happiest moments are when I’m elbow-deep in a pot of something simmering, rich, and a little unpredictable.

I didn’t grow up in a culinary family. My mom was a school librarian, and my dad fixed motorcycles. But there was always food around—big Sunday breakfasts, church potlucks, and neighbors dropping off casseroles “just because.” I learned early that food isn’t just nourishment—it’s connection, comfort, and sometimes, even courage. My first real foray into cooking came when I was twelve and decided to surprise my parents with shrimp and grits. The grits were lumpy, the shrimp rubbery, and I mistook cayenne for paprika, but they smiled and ate every bite. That night, something clicked—I could feed people, really feed them.

After college, I worked every job you can imagine—hostess, barista, pastry assistant, line cook—anything to stay close to the heat. I eventually studied at the Culinary Institute of America, but honestly, most of my learning happened shoulder-to-shoulder with folks who’d been cooking long before me, in diners, food trucks, and open-air barbecues. I’ve burnt things, over-salted plenty, and once accidentally lit a towel on fire during a catering gig (don’t ask). But each mistake made me better—and more humble.

These days, my cooking leans rustic with Southern roots, but I’m always pulling in new flavors. I’ve fallen in love with Korean gochujang, Moroccan preserved lemons, and the slow joy of making pasta by hand. I don’t believe in rules for the sake of rules—just respect for ingredients, patience, and a willingness to taste as you go.

I write my own recipes now, but more importantly, I try to make cooking feel doable. Whether you’ve got a pantry full of spices or just salt and pepper, there’s always something beautiful you can create. I want home cooks to know they don’t have to be perfect. Just curious. Just hungry. Just willing to try.

Thanks for stopping by my little corner of the culinary world. If you’re looking for hearty food, honest stories, and the occasional kitchen mishap, you’re in the right place. Let’s get cooking.

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