Salted Caramel Apple Bars
Salted Caramel Apple Bars are the perfect treat to delight your taste buds and warm your heart. With their buttery crust, tender apples, and drizzled caramel topped with a hint of sea salt, each bite is a symphony of flavors. This recipe is easy to follow and will have your kitchen wafting in the irresistible aroma of baked apples and caramel. Whether for a family gathering or a cozy night in, these bars are the ideal sweet indulgence that’ll keep everyone coming back for more. So, prepare to bring a slice of fall into your kitchen with this step-by-step recipe!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
There’s a lot to love about Salted Caramel Apple Bars! First, they boast easy prep, making them an excellent choice for bakers of all skill levels. You’ll find that the minimal ingredients required keep the stress at bay while delivering maximum flavor. These bars are also incredibly family-friendly, satisfying both young and old palates alike. Best of all, they’re quick to prepare, ensuring you won’t spend hours in the kitchen fussing over complicated techniques.
Ingredients for Salted Caramel Apple Bars
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour: The essential base for your crust, delivering the perfect balance of softness and firmness.
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar: Adds sweetness to the crust and balances the caramel topping.
- 1/4 tsp sea salt: Enhances the flavors and creates a delightful contrast with the sweetness.
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted: Richness that brings everything together, forming a crumbly texture.
- 2 large apples, peeled, cored, and diced: Fresh and juicy apples are key to achieving that warm, comforting apple flavor.
- 1 tbsp lemon juice: Brings brightness and prevents the apples from browning.
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon: Spices up the filling with a warm, aromatic flavor that screams fall.
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour (for apple mixture): Provides a thickening agent for the apple filling, ensuring each bite is just the right amount of gooey.
- 1/2 cup packed brown sugar: Adds a deeper, more complex sweetness that complements the apples beautifully.
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, cold and cut into cubes: Required for the crumble topping, adding texture and richness.
- 1/2 cup caramel sauce: Drizzled generously, it creates a luscious, sweet layer across the bars.
- 1/2 tsp sea salt flakes: A finishing touch that boosts the flavor profile, enhancing the salted caramel experience.
Step-by-Step Directions
Preheat your oven: Set your oven temperature to 350°F (175°C). While it’s heating, grease and line a 9×9-inch baking dish with parchment paper. This ensures easy removal of your delicious bars later.
Make the crust: In a mixing bowl, combine 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, 1/2 cup granulated sugar, and 1/4 tsp sea salt. Pour in the melted butter and mix until it achieves a crumbly consistency. Press this mixture evenly into the bottom of your prepared baking dish. Bake for 15 minutes or until it’s just set.
Prepare the apple filling: In a separate bowl, toss the diced apples with 1 tbsp of lemon juice, 1 tsp of ground cinnamon, and 1/4 cup of all-purpose flour. This will coat the apples and boost their flavor.
Create the crumb topping: In another bowl, combine 1/2 cup packed brown sugar, 1/2 cup all-purpose flour, and cold butter cubes. Use a pastry cutter or your fingers to mix the ingredients until it resembles coarse crumbs.
Assemble the bars: After the crust has finished baking, spread the apple mixture evenly over it. Drizzle the caramel sauce over the apples, making sure to cover them generously. Finally, sprinkle the crumble topping across the entire surface to create a delightful crunch.
Bake the bars: Place the baking dish in the oven and bake for 35-40 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the apples are bubbly.
Add the finishing touch: Once baked, remove the bars from the oven and sprinkle them with sea salt flakes while still warm. Allow them to cool completely in the baking dish before slicing into squares.
Serve and enjoy: These Salted Caramel Apple Bars are best enjoyed at room temperature, letting the flavors meld together beautifully.
Tips & Tricks
To elevate your Salted Caramel Apple Bars, consider these chef’s secrets:
- Apple Selection: Use a mix of tart and sweet apples for depth of flavor. Granny Smith and Honeycrisp work wonderfully together.
- Caramel Upgrade: For a richer taste, you can make your caramel sauce at home. Just be careful not to let it burn!
- Delicious Add-ins: Feel free to incorporate chopped nuts like pecans or walnuts into the crumble for added texture and flavor.
- Don’t rush cooling: Allowing the bars to cool completely before slicing is crucial; this way, they hold their shape.
Serving Suggestions & Pairings
Salted Caramel Apple Bars make an excellent dessert in various settings. Consider serving them warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on the side for a heavenly sundae experience. Drizzle extra caramel over the top or pair them with a dollop of whipped cream for an indulgent touch. These bars also work wonderfully alongside a steaming cup of coffee or apple cider, making them a perfect companion for autumn gatherings or cozy family dinners.
Nutritional Information
While Salted Caramel Apple Bars are definitely an indulgence, being fully aware of the nutritional content can help guide your servings. Each bar contains approximately:
- Calories: 250
- Fat: 12g
- Carbohydrates: 36g
- Protein: 2g
Enjoy these as an occasional treat, but remember, moderation is key to a balanced diet!
Storing Tips & Variations for Salted Caramel Apple Bars
These Salted Caramel Apple Bars store well, making them ideal for meal prep! You can keep the bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. If you want to extend their shelf life, refrigerate them for up to a week. They can also be frozen for up to three months; just make sure to wrap them tightly in plastic wrap, followed by aluminum foil.
Try varying the recipe by substituting different fruits like pears or berries to create unique flavors. You can also experiment with gluten-free alternatives for a crowd-pleasing dessert that caters to specific dietary needs.
Conclusion for Salted Caramel Apple Bars
There’s no reason to wait any longer! With this easy-to-follow recipe for Salted Caramel Apple Bars, you can fill your home with delightful aromas and treat your family and friends to a scrumptious dessert. Why not head to the kitchen now and enjoy the bliss of creating your own batch? You won’t regret it!
FAQs
1. Can I use pre-made caramel sauce for this recipe?
Absolutely! Using store-bought caramel sauce can save time and still yield delicious results.
2. What type of apples should I use?
A mix of tart and sweet apples, such as Granny Smith and Honeycrisp, creates a balanced flavor in your bars.
3. Can I add nuts to the crumble topping?
Yes! Chopped nuts like pecans or walnuts add a wonderful crunch and richness to the bars.
4. How do I store leftover bars?
Store leftover Salted Caramel Apple Bars in an airtight container for up to 3 days at room temperature, or refrigerate them for up to a week.
5. Can I freeze these bars?
Yes! Wrap the bars tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil, then freeze for up to three months for a delightful treat anytime.
Print
Salted Caramel Apple Bars
- Total Time: 70 minutes
- Yield: 16 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Delicious salted caramel apple bars featuring a buttery crust, tender apples, and a rich caramel drizzle, topped with a hint of sea salt.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 tsp sea salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 2 large apples, peeled, cored, and diced
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour (for apple mixture)
- 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, cold and cut into cubes
- 1/2 cup caramel sauce
- 1/2 tsp sea salt flakes
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and prepare a 9×9-inch baking dish with grease and parchment paper.
- In a mixing bowl, combine 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, 1/2 cup granulated sugar, and 1/4 tsp sea salt. Add melted butter and mix until crumbly. Press the mixture into the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Bake for 15 minutes.
- Toss diced apples with 1 tbsp lemon juice, 1 tsp ground cinnamon, and 1/4 cup all-purpose flour in a separate bowl.
- For the crumble topping, mix 1/2 cup packed brown sugar, 1/2 cup all-purpose flour, and cold butter cubes until crumbly.
- Spread the apple mixture over the baked crust, drizzle caramel sauce on top, and sprinkle with crumble topping.
- Bake for 35-40 minutes until golden brown and bubbly. Sprinkle sea salt flakes while warm and let cool before slicing.
- Serve warm or at room temperature.
Notes
For added depth of flavor, mix tart and sweet apples. Allow bars to cool completely for best slicing.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 55 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 15g
- Sodium: 200mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 36g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 35mg
