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Best Caramel Apple Crumble Bars – Easy Party Dessert

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These Caramel Apple Crumble Bars feature a buttery shortbread crust, spiced apple filling, crunchy oat crumble, and a ribbon of homemade salted caramel. They’re perfect for parties, travel well, and taste even better the next day.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 3/4 cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 4 large apples, peeled and thinly sliced (about 5 cups, Granny Smith or Honeycrisp)
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup rolled oats (not quick oats)
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 3/4 cup brown sugar, packed
  • 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter
  • 1 cup brown sugar, packed
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/2 teaspoon sea salt

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving a 2-inch overhang on the long sides. Lightly grease the parchment with butter or cooking spray.
  2. Make the shortbread crust: In a large bowl, whisk together 2 cups flour, 1/2 cup granulated sugar, and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Add cold cubed butter. Using fingertips or a pastry cutter, work butter into flour mixture until it resembles coarse sand with a few pea-sized butter pieces. Press evenly into prepared pan. Bake for 15 minutes until edges are just golden. Set aside to cool slightly.
  3. Prepare the apple filling: In a medium bowl, toss sliced apples with lemon juice, 1/4 cup granulated sugar, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, nutmeg, and 2 tablespoons flour. Let sit for 5 minutes, then toss again.
  4. Make the crumble topping: In another bowl, combine rolled oats, 1 cup flour, 3/4 cup packed brown sugar, and 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon. Pour melted butter over and stir with a fork until clumps form. Set aside.
  5. Make the caramel sauce: In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt 1/2 cup butter. Add 1 cup packed brown sugar and whisk until combined. Cook for 2 minutes, stirring constantly. Slowly pour in heavy cream while whisking. Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce heat to low. Simmer for 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until slightly thickened. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla and sea salt. Let cool for 5 minutes.
  6. Assemble the bars: Spread apple mixture evenly over pre-baked crust. Drizzle about half of the caramel sauce over the apples. Sprinkle crumble topping evenly over apples and caramel. Do not press down.
  7. Bake for 35-40 minutes, until crumble is golden brown and apples are bubbling around edges. If top browns too quickly, tent loosely with foil for last 10 minutes. Let cool in pan on wire rack for at least 30 minutes.
  8. While bars are still warm, drizzle remaining caramel sauce over top. Let cool completely (at least 2 hours) before slicing. Use parchment overhang to lift entire block out, then slice into squares with a sharp knife.

Notes

For best results, let bars cool completely before slicing. The bars taste even better the next day as the caramel soaks into the crust. To toast oats for extra flavor, spread rolled oats on a baking sheet and toast at 350°F for 5-7 minutes before adding to crumble. Caramel sauce can be made up to a week ahead and stored in the fridge.

Nutrition

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

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