Caramel Apple Crumb Bars (Printable)
Tender shortbread layered with spiced apple slices, rich caramel, and buttery crumb topping. A classic fall dessert.
# What You’ll Need:
→ Crust and Crumb
01 - 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 1 cup unsalted butter, cold, cubed
03 - 3/4 cup granulated sugar
04 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
05 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
→ Apple Filling
06 - 3 medium apples, peeled, cored, thinly sliced
07 - 2 tablespoons lemon juice
08 - 1/3 cup granulated sugar
09 - 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
10 - 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
→ Caramel Layer
11 - 1/2 cup store-bought or homemade caramel sauce
# Steps:
01 - Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line a 9x9-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving overhang for easy removal.
02 - In a large bowl, combine flour, sugar, and salt. Add the cold butter and cut it in using a pastry cutter or your fingers until crumbly. Stir in vanilla extract.
03 - Reserve 1 1/2 cups of the mixture for the topping. Press the remaining dough evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan to form the crust.
04 - Bake the crust for 12 minutes, then remove from oven.
05 - Place apple slices in a bowl and toss with lemon juice. Add sugar, flour, and cinnamon, tossing to coat evenly.
06 - Spread the apple mixture evenly over the hot crust. Drizzle caramel sauce over the apples.
07 - Sprinkle the reserved crumb mixture evenly over the top.
08 - Bake for 28-32 minutes or until the topping is light golden brown and apples are tender.
09 - Let cool completely in the pan, then lift out using parchment and cut into bars.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The three texture layers working together keep everyone coming back for just one more square
- They are effortless enough for a casual Tuesday dinner but impressive enough for holiday gatherings
02 -
- Hot caramel can burn you instantly so warm it slightly if it is too thick to drizzle but never heat it to boiling
- The crust needs that first bake alone or it will turn soggy under all those juicy apples
03 -
- Use a kitchen scale if you have one since flour measurements can vary wildly between measuring methods
- Chill the assembled bars for 30 minutes before cutting for the cleanest edges