SALTED CARAMEL APPLE PIE BARS
So I thought I’d share these delish Apple Bars since my sister Olivia just made them for Thanksgiving and you girls have been dying to know. They are SO GOOD you guys, but I can’t take any of the credit here! Sally's Baking Addiction deserves a real shout-out because this is one of her delicious recipes. I’m a new fan and my sister swears by all her recipes and they have never let her down! Hope you enjoy and make sure you check out some of her other recipes here!
**Tip from Sally: the bars will stay fresh in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3 days. You can freeze the bars for up to 3 months. Then, thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving and drizzling with caramel.
Xx,
Landyn
WHAT YOU’LL NEED
- SHORTBREAD CRUST -
1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup all-purpose flour (spoon & leveled)
- APPLE FILLING -
2 large apples, peeled and thinly sliced (1/4 inch thick)
2 Tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 Tablespoons granulated sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- STREUSEL -
1/2 cup old-fashioned oats
1/3 cup packed light or dark brown sugar
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed
homemade salted caramel sauce
WHAT TO DO
- SHORTBREAD CRUST -
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees
2. Line baking pan with parchment paper or aluminum foil
3. Stir the melted butter, granulated sugar, vanilla, and salt together in a medium bowl.
4. Add the flour and stir until everything is combined.
5. Press the mixture evenly into the prepared baking pan.
6. Bake for 15 minutes while you prepare the filling and streusel.
- APPLE FILLING -
1. Combine the sliced apples, flour, granulated sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg together in a large bowl until all of the apples are evenly coated.
2. Set aside.
- STREUSEL -
1. Whisk the oats, brown sugar, cinnamon, and flour together in a medium bowl.
2. Cut in the chilled butter with a pastry blender or two forks (or even with your hands) until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
3. Set aside.
- APPLE BARS -
1. Remove the crust from the oven, and turn the oven up to 350°F.
2. Evenly layer the apples on top of the warm crust. It will look like there are too many apple slices, so layer them tightly and press them down to fit.
3. Sprinkle the apple layer with streusel and bake for 30–35 minutes or until the streusel is golden brown.
4. Remove from the oven and allow to cool for at least 20 minutes at room temperature, then chill in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours (or overnight)
5. Lift the foil or parchment out of the pan using the overhang on the sides and cut into bars.
6. Once cut, drizzle some salted caramel sauce on top of each. These apple pie bars can be enjoyed warm, at room temperature, or even cold.
**For additional instruction, see the more descriptive recipe on SallysBakingAddiction.com.