Apple Bars

What can be better than flaky shortbread layered with luscious apple pie filling and a creamy caramel sauce? These apple bars are the perfect dessert recipe for fall. 

If you are craving a dessert that feels like home, then these caramel apple bars are what you should make. These rustic but super rich-tasting bars feature the timeless combination of apples, caramel, and cinnamon. 

Why you’ll love this recipe 

If you don’t bake often because you find the process of baking to be time consuming, this is the recipe for you!

• Simpler than apple pie. As easy as pie? Making these caramel apple bars is even easier than making an apple pie!
• A year-round treat. Unlike many other fruits, apples are widely available year-round. 
• Rich flavor. Layering apple pie filling and caramel over a crumbly crust creates a rich flavor that you won’t get enough of. 
• Just 5 minutes prep. After making the dough and the caramel, there isn’t very much hands on time at all.

Ingredients needed

You will need to make a classic shortbread crust for these caramel apple bars and top it  with caramel and apple pie filling. The latter can be either homemade or store-bought. Here’s the list of ingredients you will need for this caramel apple bars recipe. 

For the crust:

• Butter. Room temperature, unsalted. 
• Sugar. Granulated white and powdered sugar. 
• Flour. White all-purpose flour. 
• Vanilla extract. To taste. 

For the filling:

• Apple pie filling. Homemade or store-bought. 
• Caramel candies. Unwrapped. 
• Heavy cream. For the caramel sauce. 
• Cinnamon. Goes perfectly with apples and caramel. 
• Vanilla. To enhance the flavor of the caramel sauce. 

How to make apple bars

Despite the multiple layers, these caramel apple bars are very easy to make. You don’t have to have outstanding baking skills to make them. 

Step 1 -Make the dough

For the shortbread crust, attach the paddle to the stand mixer and start mixing the butter with the granulated and powdered sugar on medium speed. Once mixed, add the flour slowly until a soft dough forms. 

Step 2- Bake the crust

Bake for 20 minutes or until the edges are golden brown. Once baked, remove the crust from the oven and let it cool. 

Step 3- Prepare the caramel filling

Make the caramel filling while the crust bakes. Microwave the unwrapped caramel candies and heavy cream at 15-second intervals. Whisk until smooth. Add the cinnamon and vanilla extract. 

Step 4- Add the caramel and apple fillings

Pour the caramel filling over the cooled crust, followed by a thin layer of apple pie filling. 

Remove the remaining dough from the fridge and crumble it evenly on the caramel apples. 

Step 5- Return to the oven

Put the crust with the fillings back into the oven and bake for another 25-30 minutes. Remove from the oven when the fillings bubbles and the top layer of the crumbled crust gets golden brown.

Which apples are best to use?

Texture-wise, the best apples to use for the filling for these apple bars are the ones that are firm and will hold their shape well when cooked and baked. 

If you are choosing based on the flavor, use Granny Smith, Jonathan, or Pacific Rose apples if you like tart apple flavor. Go with Jazz, Honey crisp, or Golden Delicious if you prefer sweeter apples. 

If you are making the apple filling yourself and want to achieve a complex flavor, use a few different apples. 

Storage instructions 

To store. Transfer caramel apple bars into an airtight container as soon as they cool. Stored at room temperature, caramel apple bars will stay fresh for up to 4 days. Refrigerate caramel apple bars to make them last up to 7 days.  

To freeze. Place the baked and cooled bars in a shallow container and store them in the freezer for up to 6 months.

More apple dessert recipes to try

• Healthy apple crisp
• Apple crumble pie
• Healthy apple pie
• Applesauce cake
• Applesauce bread

Frequently asked questions