Salted Caramel Apple Bars are a delicious treat that brings together the sweetness of apples, the rich flavor of caramel, and a touch of salt to balance it all out. These bars have a soft, chewy base topped with tender apple slices and gooey salted caramel, making each bite a perfect mix of flavors and textures.
I love making these bars when I want something cozy but a little bit special. The salted caramel adds just the right amount of indulgence without being too sweet, and the apples give a fresh, fruity bite that feels just right for any season. I often find myself sneaking a piece when they’re fresh from the oven—it’s such a comforting mix of warm apples and sweet, salty caramel.
These bars are great to share with friends or bring to a get-together. I like to serve them with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream to turn them into an easy dessert that everyone enjoys. Plus, they hold up well if you want to pack them for a picnic or an afternoon snack.
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
Apples: Tart apples like Granny Smith work best because their tang balances the sweetness well. You can try Honeycrisp or Fuji, but be aware they’re sweeter and softer when baked.
Butter: Cold, unsalted butter is essential for the crumbly crust and topping. If you want a dairy-free option, use vegan butter sticks with similar fat content.
Sugar: Granulated sugar is used for sweetness and structure in both crust and filling. For a deeper flavor, you can swap part of it with brown sugar, which adds moisture and a slight caramel note.
Caramel ingredients: Making salted caramel from scratch with sugar, butter, cream, and sea salt really shines here. If you want to save time, store-bought caramel sauce works too, but watch the salt levels—you might want to add more sea salt as a drizzle.
How Do You Make the Caramel Sauce Without Burning the Sugar?
Melting sugar for caramel can be tricky because high heat can quickly burn it. Here’s how to get smooth caramel:
- Use a heavy-bottomed pan to distribute heat evenly.
- Heat the sugar on medium and stir constantly with a heatproof spatula to stop clumps burning.
- Be patient—the sugar will clump before melting into amber liquid. Keep stirring gently to encourage melting.
- Once fully melted and smooth, quickly add butter and stir—it will bubble, so be careful.
- Add cream slowly while stirring to keep the sauce smooth.
- Bring to a gentle boil for 1 minute, then remove from heat and stir in sea salt.
Let it cool a bit before drizzling to avoid making the bars soggy, and you’ll have a rich, perfectly salted caramel.
Equipment You’ll Need
- 9×13 inch baking pan – perfect size for these bars and makes cutting easy.
- Mixing bowls – for combining crust, apple filling, and caramel separately.
- Pastry cutter or fork – helps mix cold butter into dry ingredients for a crumbly texture.
- Sharp knife or apple slicer – to peel and slice apples evenly.
- Heavy-bottom saucepan – ideal for making smooth, even caramel without burning.
- Heatproof spatula or wooden spoon – easy to stir caramel without scratching the pan.
- Wire rack – to cool bars properly and keep the crust crisp.
Flavor Variations & Add-Ins
- Swap apples for pears – they caramelize beautifully and add a sweeter, softer texture.
- Add chopped toasted pecans or walnuts to the crumb topping for crunch and nutty flavor.
- Mix in 1 teaspoon ground ginger or cardamom with the cinnamon for a warm spice twist.
- Use maple syrup instead of granulated sugar in the caramel for a richer, deeper flavor.
How to Make Salted Caramel Apple Bars
Ingredients You’ll Need:
For the Crust and Topping:
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed
For the Apple Filling:
- 4 medium apples, peeled, cored, and thinly sliced (Granny Smith recommended)
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg (optional)
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
For the Salted Caramel Drizzle:
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature, cut into pieces
- 1/2 cup heavy cream, room temperature
- 1 teaspoon sea salt (or to taste)
How Much Time Will You Need?
You’ll spend about 20 minutes preparing the crust, apple filling, and caramel sauce, plus 45-50 minutes baking time. Allow at least 30 minutes for cooling before cutting and drizzling caramel. In total, plan for approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes from start to finish.
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Prepare Crust and Crumb Topping
In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Add the cold cubed butter. Use a pastry cutter or your fingers to mix the butter into the dry ingredients until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs, with some pea-sized bits of butter. Set aside about one-third of this mix for the topping.
2. Make the Crust
Press the remaining crumb mixture firmly into the bottom of a greased 9×13 inch baking pan, creating an even layer. Use a measuring cup’s bottom or your hands to press it down firmly.
3. Preheat the Oven
Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) so it’s ready once you finish assembling.
4. Prepare the Apple Filling
In a medium bowl, combine sliced apples, sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg (if you like), and lemon juice. Toss to coat the apples evenly.
5. Assemble the Bars
Spread the apple filling evenly over the crust. Then sprinkle the reserved crumb topping over the apples.
6. Bake
Bake for 45 to 50 minutes, until the topping is golden brown and the apples are soft when pierced. Cover with foil during the last 10 minutes if the topping browns too fast.
7. Make Salted Caramel Drizzle
While baking, melt sugar in a heavy saucepan over medium heat, stirring constantly. It will clump before melting; keep stirring gently. Once melted into a smooth amber liquid, carefully add butter (it will bubble). Stir until melted, then slowly add cream while stirring. Let boil for 1 minute. Remove from heat, stir in sea salt, and let cool slightly.
8. Cool and Drizzle
Let bars cool in the pan on a wire rack for at least 30 minutes. Cut into squares and drizzle generously with salted caramel sauce.
9. Serve and Enjoy
These bars taste fantastic warm or at room temperature. Serve with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream for an extra treat!
Can I Use Frozen Apples for the Filling?
Yes, but be sure to thaw and drain them well to remove excess moisture. This helps prevent the bars from becoming soggy.
How Should I Store Leftover Bars?
Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days, or refrigerate for up to 5 days. Reheat gently before serving to soften the caramel.
Can I Substitute Store-Bought Caramel Sauce?
Absolutely! You can use store-bought caramel sauce to save time. Just adjust the sea salt according to your taste, and drizzle it over the bars once cooled.
How Do I Prevent the Crust from Getting Soggy?
Press the crust firmly and bake it well before adding the apples. Also, letting the bars cool completely before adding caramel will help keep the crust crisp.
