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Crispy Caramel Apple Pie Bars

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These easy streusel crumb bars combine the nostalgic comfort of apple pie with gooey caramel and a crispy, buttery topping. Perfect for gatherings, lunchboxes, or cozy weekends, they’re a crowd-pleasing dessert that’s simple to make and travel-friendly.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup light brown sugar, packed
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 3/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 3 medium tart apples, peeled and diced (Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or Fuji)
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar (for caramel)
  • 2 tablespoons water
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1/4 cup heavy cream
  • Pinch of salt (plus extra 1/4 teaspoon for salted caramel, optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang.
  2. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together flour, brown sugar, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon. Pour in melted butter and mix until crumbly. Reserve 1 cup of mixture for topping.
  3. Press remaining crumb mixture firmly into the bottom of the prepared pan. Bake for 10 minutes.
  4. While base bakes, toss diced apples with granulated sugar, lemon juice, cinnamon, and flour in a bowl.
  5. In a small saucepan, combine granulated sugar and water for caramel. Heat over medium, swirling until deep amber (about 5 minutes). Remove from heat, whisk in butter and heavy cream, then add salt.
  6. Spread apple mixture evenly over baked crust. Drizzle caramel sauce over apples.
  7. Sprinkle reserved crumb mixture over apples and caramel, squeezing small handfuls for chunky clusters.
  8. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 35-40 minutes, until topping is golden and edges are bubbling.
  9. Cool completely in pan (about 1 hour). Lift out using parchment and cut into squares.
  10. Serve at room temperature or slightly warmed. Top with ice cream if desired.

Notes

For gluten-free bars, substitute all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free blend. For dairy-free, use vegan butter and coconut cream. Add nuts to the crumb topping for extra crunch. Let bars cool completely before cutting for best texture. Double the caramel sauce for extra gooeyness. Bars freeze well for up to 2 months.

Nutrition

Keywords: caramel apple bars, apple pie bars, streusel, crumb dessert, fall baking, easy dessert, potluck, apple dessert, caramel, apple pie, bars recipe

Find it online: https://fuzzyforker.com/crispy-caramel-apple-pie-bars-recipe-easy-streusel-crumb-dessert/