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Salted Caramel Apple Crumble Bars Fall Treat: Get Addicted in 45 Min

Salted Caramel Apple Crumble Bars: Your New Fall Favorite

There’s a certain magic that happens when autumn arrives. These salted caramel apple crumble bars capture that cozy fall feeling perfectly, offering everything you love about apple pie in an easy-to-handle bar form. This recipe brings the quintessential taste of fall into your home with surprising ease, making them perfect for a weekend treat or a last-minute gathering.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 5 minutes
Servings: 24 servings
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

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

Equipment

  • 9x13 inch baking pan
  • parchment paper
  • large bowl
  • whisk
  • spoon
  • fork

Method
 

Instructions
  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Take a moment to line a 9x13 inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving a slight overhang on the sides. This little trick makes lifting the cooled bars out incredibly easy.
  2. In a large bowl, whisk together the melted butter, granulated sugar, vanilla extract, and salt until everything is well combined and fragrant.
  3. Now, add the all-purpose flour to the wet ingredients. Stir it gently with a spoon or your hands until the mixture becomes crumbly. It should resemble coarse sand with some larger pea-sized clumps. Press about two-thirds of this delicious crumble mixture evenly into the bottom of your prepared pan. Don't press too hard; a gentle, even layer is perfect.
  4. In a separate bowl, toss your thinly sliced apples with the ground cinnamon and nutmeg. Make sure every apple slice gets a good coating of those warm spices. Spread this apple mixture evenly over the pressed crust in the pan.
  5. Generously drizzle the salted caramel sauce over the spiced apples. Don't be shy here; the more caramel, the better!
  6. Finally, crumble the remaining flour mixture evenly over the top of the apples and caramel. This will form that irresistible crunchy topping.
  7. Bake for 40-45 minutes, or until the crumble topping is beautifully golden brown and the apples underneath are wonderfully tender. You can test the apples by gently poking one with a fork.
  8. This is the hardest part, but trust me, it's worth it! Let the bars cool completely in the pan before attempting to cut them. Warm bars will be messy, but patience will reward you with perfectly formed, delightful squares.

Notes

Choose firm, slightly tart apples like Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or Fuji for best results. A light, even press for the crust will result in a tender, flaky base. If crumble mixture is too wet, chill for 10-15 minutes. Cooling completely is crucial for clean cuts; refrigeration can speed this up. You can substitute apples with pears, peaches, or berries, adjusting baking time for softer fruits. For gluten-free, use a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend. Add chopped pecans or walnuts to the crumble for extra crunch. Cardamom or allspice can be added for a complex spice profile. If no store-bought salted caramel, make your own or use plain caramel with flaky sea salt. Bars can be made ahead and stored at room temperature for up to 3 days, or in the fridge for up to 5 days. They freeze well for 2-3 months.