If you’re someone who adores the cozy, comforting flavors of fall but craves a treat that’s a bit more portable than a pie, then this Apple Crumble Bars with Cinnamon-Spiced Apple Filling and Salted Caramel Sauce Recipe is about to become your new obsession. These bars perfectly blend the tender, buttery crumble crust with a luscious, warmly spiced apple filling that’s bursting with tart Granny Smith apples. To top it all off, a drizzle of salted caramel sauce adds that heavenly balance of sweet and salty that elevates every bite. It’s a fantastic twist on traditional apple dessert that’s ideal for sharing, gifting, or treating yourself any day of the week!
Ingredients You’ll Need
Each ingredient in this Apple Crumble Bars with Cinnamon-Spiced Apple Filling and Salted Caramel Sauce Recipe plays its own vital role, creating layers of flavor and textures that make this dessert truly unforgettable. From the rich, melted butter to the crisp and tart apples, every single component is simple yet essential.
- Melted unsalted butter: Provides a rich, tender crumb base with a subtle creaminess.
- Plain (all-purpose) flour: The foundation of the crust and crumble to hold everything beautifully together.
- White sugar: Adds sweetness to both the crust and filling, balancing the tart apples perfectly.
- Baking powder: Gives a light lift to the crust without making it cakey.
- Pinch of salt: Enhances all the natural flavors and rounds out the sweetness.
- Egg: Binds the crust ingredients for a perfect crumbly yet sturdy texture.
- Rolled oats: Adds a lovely bite and a rustic touch to the crumble topping.
- Granny Smith apples: Their tartness shines in the spiced filling, making each bite bright and refreshing.
- Additional plain flour: Helps thicken the apple filling so it isn’t runny.
- Cinnamon and nutmeg: Warm spices that make the apple filling utterly irresistible.
- Salted caramel sauce: The decadent finishing touch that brings deep, buttery sweetness with a pinch of salt.
- Ice cream: Optional but highly recommended to serve alongside for a luscious contrast.
How to Make Apple Crumble Bars with Cinnamon-Spiced Apple Filling and Salted Caramel Sauce Recipe
Step 1: Preheat and Prepare Your Pan
Start by preheating your oven to a toasty 180°C (350°F). Grease an 8-inch square pan thoroughly, then line it with parchment paper, making sure some overhangs the sides to help you easily lift the bars out later. This step ensures even baking and makes cleanup a breeze.
Step 2: Mix the Crust and Crumble Base
Combine the melted butter, flour, sugar, baking powder, and a pinch of salt in a bowl. Stir until you no longer see dry patches of flour and the texture begins to resemble coarse crumbs. Adding the egg next will help bind the mixture into a dough that’s easy to press into your pan. Remember, use about two-thirds of this mixture pressed firmly on the bottom to create a sturdy yet tender base for your apple filling.
Step 3: Bake the Base
Bake the pressed crust in your preheated oven for around 15 minutes, or until it’s just starting to turn a golden honey shade. Once done, take it out and let it cool for about five minutes to set—it’s important that the base isn’t too hot before adding your filling.
Step 4: Prepare the Cinnamon-Spiced Apple Filling
While the crust bakes, toss the diced Granny Smith apples with flour, sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg in a mixing bowl. This simple combination creates the signature cinnamon-spiced apple filling that’s juicy, fragrant, and full of warm spice notes. The flour helps thicken up the juices released by the apples, ensuring your bars won’t be soggy.
Step 5: Layer and Crumble
Spoon the cinnamon-spiced apple filling evenly over the warm crust, spreading it out gently but thoroughly. Then sprinkle the remaining third of your crumble mixture along with the rolled oats evenly on top. This top layer will bake into a golden, crunchy topping with bursts of oat-y goodness in every bite.
Step 6: Final Bake
Bake the assembled bars for about 20 minutes until the topping looks beautifully golden and the apple filling is bubbling away beneath. When you pull it from the oven, the smell alone is worth the wait—a true invitation to dive right in!
How to Serve Apple Crumble Bars with Cinnamon-Spiced Apple Filling and Salted Caramel Sauce Recipe
Garnishes
For a show-stopping presentation and explosion of flavor, drizzle homemade or store-bought salted caramel sauce generously over each bar once cooled slightly. A sprinkle of flaky sea salt over the caramel really intensifies the salt-sweet interplay. If you want to get fancy, shave some aged white cheddar on top—for a classic apple and cheese pairing that might surprise you with how amazing it tastes.
Side Dishes
These bars are fantastic on their own but pair beautifully with a scoop of creamy vanilla ice cream or a dollop of freshly whipped cream. For a beverage, a spiced chai tea or a warm cup of black coffee complement the cinnamon and caramel notes perfectly, making your dessert experience truly special.
Creative Ways to Present
If you’re serving these bars at a party, consider cutting them into small bite-sized squares for effortless finger food. Alternatively, serve them plated with a drizzle of salted caramel sauce artistically zigzagged across the plate and an apple slice for garnish. For holiday events, dust lightly with cinnamon sugar for an extra seasonal flair.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once completely cooled, store your Apple Crumble Bars with Cinnamon-Spiced Apple Filling and Salted Caramel Sauce Recipe in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days. For longer freshness, keep them refrigerated for up to a week—just make sure to bring them back to room temperature or gently warm before enjoying.
Freezing
These bars freeze beautifully. Wrap them tightly in plastic wrap, then foil, and place in a freezer-safe container or bag. They’ll keep well for up to three months. When ready to eat, thaw overnight in the fridge, then warm slightly to bring back that fresh-baked charm.
Reheating
To reheat, pop the bars in a preheated oven at 160°C (320°F) for 10 to 15 minutes or until warm and fragrant. Avoid the microwave if you want to keep the crumb topping crisp and delicious.
FAQs
Can I use other types of apples for the filling?
Absolutely! While Granny Smith apples provide a wonderful tartness that balances the sweetness, you can use other firm apples like Honeycrisp, Braeburn, or Fuji. Just keep in mind that sweeter apples may make the filling a bit less tangy.
Is it possible to make this recipe gluten-free?
Yes, you can substitute the plain flour with a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend. Be sure to check your baking powder is gluten-free too, and the texture might be slightly different, but just as delicious.
Can I make the salted caramel sauce from scratch?
Definitely! Homemade salted caramel is easy with just sugar, butter, cream, and a pinch of sea salt. Making your own allows you to control the sweetness and salt level, which perfectly complements these bars.
How long does this recipe take from start to finish?
The total time is approximately 55 minutes, including prep and baking. It’s a quick and impressive way to whip up a dessert that looks and tastes like you spent hours in the kitchen.
Can I use quick oats instead of rolled oats?
It’s best to stick with rolled oats for the topping since they add a nice chewy texture and don’t get too mushy. Quick oats might turn out softer and won’t provide the same satisfying bite.
Final Thoughts
There’s something truly magical about the way these Apple Crumble Bars with Cinnamon-Spiced Apple Filling and Salted Caramel Sauce Recipe come together—the tender crumb, warmly spiced apples, and that indulgent drizzle of caramel create a dessert that’s both nostalgic and delightfully fresh. Whether you’re baking for a cozy family night, a festive gathering, or just because, this recipe is guaranteed to bring smiles and second helpings. So roll up your sleeves, get those apples diced, and prepare to fall in love bite after bite!
Print
Apple Crumble Bars with Cinnamon-Spiced Apple Filling and Salted Caramel Sauce Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 9 to 12 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
These Apple Crumble Bars combine a buttery, crumbly base with a spiced apple filling, topped with a crisp oat crumble. Perfect for a dessert or a sweet snack, these bars are easy to whip up and bake, and they pair beautifully with salted caramel sauce and ice cream for an indulgent treat.
Ingredients
Base & Crumble
- 125g / 1 stick unsalted butter, melted
- 2 cups (300g) plain/all purpose flour
- 1/2 cup (100g) white sugar
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- Pinch of salt
- 1 egg
- 1/3 cup (30g) rolled oats
Apple Filling
- 3 – 4 large granny smith apples, cut into 0.7cm / 1/3″ dice (~4 cups)
- 1/4 cup (35g) plain flour
- 1/4 cup (50g) white sugar
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp nutmeg
Serving
- Salted caramel sauce
- Ice cream
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 180°C (350°F) to prepare it for baking the bars.
- Prepare the pan: Grease a 20cm (8″) square baking pan and line it with parchment or baking paper with an overhang on the sides so you can lift the bars out easily after baking.
- Make the base mixture: In a bowl, combine melted butter, plain flour, white sugar, baking powder, and a pinch of salt. Mix until there are no visible white flour streaks.
- Add egg and mix: Incorporate the egg into the base mixture thoroughly until well combined.
- Form the base layer: Lightly press about two-thirds of the mixture evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan, creating a firm base.
- Bake the base: Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 15 minutes, or until the base turns slightly golden. Remove from the oven and let it cool for 5 minutes.
- Prepare apple filling: While the base is baking, mix the diced granny smith apples with flour, white sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg in a bowl until evenly coated.
- Add apple filling: Spread the apple mixture evenly over the cooled base layer in the pan.
- Top with crumble: Sprinkle the reserved one-third of the base mixture along with the rolled oats evenly over the apple layer, creating a crumble topping.
- Bake the bars: Return the pan to the oven and bake for an additional 20 minutes or until the crumble topping is golden and the apples are tender.
- Cool and serve: Remove the bars from the oven and let them cool in the pan on a wire rack. Once cooled, lift the bars out using the parchment overhang, cut into 9 to 12 pieces, and serve topped with salted caramel sauce and ice cream for an extra indulgent finish.
Notes
- Note 1: Rolled oats add a pleasant texture to the crumble topping; you can substitute with quick oats if preferred.
- Use Granny Smith apples for a tart flavor that balances the sweetness of the bars.
- The bars can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerated for up to 5 days.
- For a gluten-free version, substitute plain flour with a gluten-free flour blend.
- Allow bars to cool completely before slicing to prevent crumbling.
