Description
Chewy, gooey dessert bars featuring a press-in shortbread crust, tender spiced apples, and a rich salted caramel layer. These make-ahead friendly bars are easy to slice and perfect for holidays or potlucks.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/3 cup granulated sugar
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 3 large apples (Granny Smith and Honeycrisp mix), peeled and diced
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon butter, melted
- 1/2 cup heavy cream, room temperature
- 1 cup packed brown sugar
- 1/4 cup butter, cubed
- 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
- Vanilla ice cream or whipped cream, for serving (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×9 inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the sides, and grease lightly.
- In a medium bowl, mix softened butter and 1/3 cup granulated sugar until creamy. Stir in flour, cornstarch, and salt until the mixture resembles wet sand.
- Press the crust mixture firmly and evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan using the bottom of a measuring cup.
- Blind bake the crust for 15 minutes until lightly golden. Remove from oven but leave the oven on.
- Toss diced apples with 2 tablespoons sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, lemon juice, and melted butter until coated.
- Spread the apple mixture evenly over the warm baked crust.
- In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine brown sugar, cubed butter, and heavy cream. Whisk constantly until it bubbles and thickens slightly (3-4 minutes). Remove from heat and stir in sea salt.
- Pour the warm caramel sauce over the apples and spread evenly.
- Return to the oven and bake for 30 minutes until edges are bubbling and golden.
- Cool completely in the pan on a wire rack for at least 1 hour, then refrigerate for 2 hours to firm up before slicing.
- Lift bars out using parchment paper and slice into 9 or 12 squares. Serve with vanilla ice cream if desired.
Notes
Do not cut the bars while hot, as the caramel will be liquid and the bars will fall apart. For best results, chill completely before slicing. The crust must be pressed firmly to prevent crumbling. You can substitute apple pie filling (drained) for fresh apples.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 28
- Sodium: 180
- Fat: 16
- Saturated Fat: 10
- Carbohydrates: 42
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 3
Keywords: apple crumble bars, salted caramel dessert, shortbread crust, make-ahead dessert, fall baking, easy dessert bars