Description
These Apple Pie Bars feature a buttery shortbread crust, fresh apple filling, and a crunchy streusel topping, all finished with a drizzle of salted caramel. They’re easier to make than traditional pie and perfect for sharing during holidays or weeknights.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1/2 cup (8 Tbsp; 113g) unsalted butter, melted
- 1/4 cup (50g) granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup (125g) all-purpose flour (spooned & leveled)
- 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
- 1/2 cup (43g) old-fashioned whole rolled oats
- 1/3 cup (70g) packed light or dark brown sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 cup (31g) all-purpose flour (spooned & leveled)
- 1/4 cup (4 Tbsp; 56g) unsalted butter, cold and cubed
- Salted caramel sauce (homemade or store-bought)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 300°F (149°C). Line an 8-inch square baking pan with parchment paper and set aside.
- Make the crust by mixing melted butter, sugar, vanilla, and salt in a bowl. Stir in flour and press the mixture into the prepared pan.
- Bake the crust for 15 minutes. While it’s baking, prepare the apple filling and streusel topping.
- For the filling, toss apple slices with flour, sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg in a large bowl.
- For the streusel, whisk oats, brown sugar, cinnamon, and flour. Cut in the cold butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- Increase oven temperature to 350°F (177°C). Layer the apple mixture over the baked crust and press down lightly.
- Sprinkle streusel topping evenly over the apples.
- Bake for 30–35 minutes or until the topping is golden brown.
- Let the bars cool at room temperature for 20 minutes, then chill in the fridge for at least 2 hours.
- Lift the bars out of the pan using parchment overhang, slice, and drizzle with salted caramel before serving.
Notes
- Use a mix of sweet and tart apples for best flavor.
- Bars can be stored in the fridge for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 3 months.
- Let bars chill fully before slicing for clean edges.
- Serve warm or cold, with or without ice cream.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 75mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
Keywords: Apple Pie Bars, apple dessert bars, caramel apple bars, apple streusel bars, fall dessert, easy apple pie