Description
Simple bars with a shortbread base, spiced apple filling, and a salted caramel crumble topping.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup rolled oats
- 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) cold unsalted butter, cut into cubes
- 3 medium apples, peeled, cored, and diced
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 cup pre-made salted caramel sauce
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Line an 8×8 inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on two sides.
- In a medium bowl, combine the flour, oats, brown sugar, and salt for the base. Cut in the cold butter using a pastry blender or your fingers until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- Press two-thirds of the crumb mixture evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan to form the base. Bake for 15 minutes.
- While the base bakes, prepare the apple filling. In a separate bowl, toss the diced apples with lemon juice, granulated sugar, and cinnamon.
- Remove the base from the oven. Spread the apple mixture evenly over the warm base. Drizzle half of the salted caramel sauce over the apples.
- Crumble the remaining one-third of the oat mixture over the apples.
- Bake for an additional 25 to 30 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown.
- Let the bars cool completely in the pan on a wire rack. Once cool, drizzle the remaining salted caramel sauce over the top.
- Lift the bars out using the parchment paper overhang and cut into squares.
Notes
- You can use Granny Smith or Honeycrisp apples for the best texture.
- If you do not have pre-made caramel, you can make a quick version by simmering 1/2 cup heavy cream and 1/2 cup granulated sugar until thickened.
- Prep Time: 20 min
- Cook Time: 45 min
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 20g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 13g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 32g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
Keywords: apple crumble bars, salted caramel, oat bars, shortbread, spiced apple, dessert bars