Irresistible Salted Caramel Apple Bars for Fall – A Cozy Autumn Dessert

🎉 Introduction

When crisp autumn air rolls in and apple season hits its peak, it’s time to indulge in something sweet, warm, and comforting — like these Irresistible Salted Caramel Apple Bars. They’re everything you love about fall in one decadent dessert: tender apples, buttery crust, fragrant spices, and a luxurious drizzle of salted caramel.

These bars are perfect for everything from Thanksgiving dessert tables to cozy weekend baking. With a soft, cookie-like base and gooey apple filling, they’re easy to make and impossible to resist. This recipe uses no alcohol and no pork-based ingredients — just pure fall flavor, baked into every bite.

🧰 Equipment Needed

• 9×13-inch baking pan
• Parchment paper
• Large mixing bowl
• Whisk or electric mixer
• Spatula
• Measuring cups & spoons
• Saucepan (if making homemade caramel)
• Oven

🛒 Ingredients

🍎 Fruits & Vegetables

• 3 cups apples, peeled, cored, and chopped (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp work best)

🍯 Condiments

• ½ cup salted caramel sauce (store-bought or homemade)

🧂 Baking Essentials & Spices

• 2½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1½ cups granulated sugar
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• ¼ tsp ground nutmeg
• ½ tsp salt
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

🧈 Dairy

• 1 cup unsalted butter (softened or melted)

👩‍🍳 Directions

Step 1: Preheat & Prepare

• Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
• Line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving extra overhang on the sides to help lift the bars out later.

Step 2: Make the Dough

• In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
• Add the softened or melted butter and vanilla extract.
• Use a spatula or electric mixer to combine until the dough forms a crumbly but moist texture.

Step 3: Build the Base

• Take about two-thirds of the dough and press it evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan to form a firm crust.
• Press down gently to ensure the dough sticks together and covers the bottom completely.

Step 4: Prepare the Apples

• Peel, core, and chop the apples into bite-sized pieces.
• In a small bowl, toss the apples with ½ tsp cinnamon and a pinch of nutmeg for extra flavor.

Step 5: Layer the Apples

• Spread the chopped, spiced apples evenly on top of the dough layer, making sure they are well distributed.
• Gently press the apples down so they settle into the base.

Step 6: Crumble the Remaining Dough

• Take the remaining one-third of the dough and crumble it evenly over the apples.
• It’s okay if it doesn’t cover everything perfectly — the crumble effect gives the bars that rustic look.

Step 7: Bake

• Bake in the preheated oven for 40–45 minutes or until the top is golden brown and the apples are bubbling and tender.
• The edges should be slightly crispy, and the center should set but still be soft and gooey.

Step 8: Caramel Drizzle

• Once baked, remove the bars from the oven and let them cool completely in the pan (about 30 minutes).
• After cooling, drizzle the salted caramel sauce generously over the top.
• Allow the caramel to set for a few minutes before slicing.

Step 9: Chill and Slice

• For cleaner cuts, refrigerate the bars for at least 30 minutes before slicing.
• Use the parchment paper overhang to lift the bars out of the pan, then cut into squares.

🍽️ Servings & Timing

• Servings: 16 bars
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Bake Time: 45 minutes
• Cooling Time: 30 minutes
• Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes

🧊 Storage & Reheating

• Room Temperature:
  Store in an airtight container for up to 2 days.
• Refrigerator:
  Keeps fresh for 5 days. Let sit at room temp before serving or warm gently.
• Freezer:
  Freeze (without caramel topping) for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight, then drizzle caramel before serving.
• Reheating:
  Warm slices in the microwave for 10–15 seconds for an ooey-gooey treat.

🥄 Variations

• Oat Crust: Add ½ cup rolled oats to the top dough for a crumbly oat streusel.
• Nutty Crunch: Stir in ½ cup chopped walnuts or pecans.
• Gluten-Free: Use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend.
• Double Caramel: Mix some caramel sauce into the apple layer before baking.
• Cheesecake Layer: Spread a thin layer of cream cheese filling under the apples.
• Apple-Pear Mix: Use half apples and half pears for a sweet combo.
• Maple Cinnamon Drizzle: Swap caramel for a maple syrup glaze with cinnamon.
• Mini Bars: Use an 8×8 pan for thicker, smaller batch bars.
• Vegan-Friendly: Use dairy-free butter alternatives.
• Extra Spice: Add a pinch of cloves or allspice for more fall flavor.

❓ 10 FAQs

1. What are the best apples for this recipe?
   Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or a mix of sweet and tart apples work best.
2. Do I need to peel the apples?
   Yes, peeling creates a smoother, softer filling.
3. Can I make this ahead of time?
   Absolutely! Bake and chill the night before, and drizzle caramel before serving.
4. Do I need to make the caramel from scratch?
   Not at all — store-bought works perfectly!
5. Can I use brown sugar instead of white?
   Yes, brown sugar adds a deeper, molasses-like flavor.
6. How do I cut clean slices?
   Let bars cool completely, chill, and use a sharp knife wiped clean between cuts.
7. Can I skip the caramel?
   You can — the bars are still delicious on their own!
8. What if I don’t have nutmeg?
   You can use extra cinnamon or a dash of allspice.
9. Can I use whole wheat flour?
   Yes, use half whole wheat and half all-purpose for best texture.
10. Can kids enjoy this recipe?
    Definitely — no alcohol or pork, just sweet, cozy fall flavor!

🏁 Conclusion

These Salted Caramel Apple Bars are fall in dessert form — warm spices, tender apples, buttery crumble, and that irresistible caramel drizzle. Whether you’re baking for family, gifting treats, or satisfying your own sweet tooth, these bars hit the seasonal sweet spot perfectly.

No pork, no alcohol, just warm autumn comfort in every bite. 🍁

Adam

Irresistible Salted Caramel Apple Bars for Fall – A Cozy Autumn Dessert

When crisp autumn air rolls in and apple season hits its peak, it’s time to indulge in something sweet, warm, and comforting — like these Irresistible Salted Caramel Apple Bars. They’re everything you love about fall in one decadent dessert: tender apples, buttery crust, fragrant spices, and a luxurious drizzle of salted caramel. These bars are perfect for everything from Thanksgiving dessert tables to cozy weekend baking. With a soft, cookie-like base and gooey apple filling, they’re easy to make and impossible to resist. This recipe uses no alcohol and no pork-based ingredients — just pure fall flavor, baked into every bite.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

bake & Cool Time 1 hour hr 15 minutes mins

Total Time 1 hour hr 30 minutes mins

Servings: 16 bars

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

🍎 Fruits & Vegetables

• 3 cups apples peeled, cored, and chopped (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp work best)

🍯 Condiments

• ½ cup salted caramel sauce store-bought or homemade

🧂 Baking Essentials & Spices

• 2½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1½ cups granulated sugar
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• ¼ tsp ground nutmeg
• ½ tsp salt
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

🧈 Dairy

• 1 cup unsalted butter softened or melted

Equipment

• 9×13-inch baking pan
• Parchment paper
• Large mixing bowl
• Whisk or electric mixer
• Spatula
• Measuring cups & spoons
• Saucepan (if making homemade caramel)
• Oven

Method

 

Step 1: Preheat & Prepare

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving extra overhang on the sides to help lift the bars out later.

Step 2: Make the Dough

1. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
2. Add the softened or melted butter and vanilla extract.
3. Use a spatula or electric mixer to combine until the dough forms a crumbly but moist texture.

Step 3: Build the Base

1. Take about two-thirds of the dough and press it evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan to form a firm crust.
2. Press down gently to ensure the dough sticks together and covers the bottom completely.

Step 4: Prepare the Apples

1. Peel, core, and chop the apples into bite-sized pieces.
2. In a small bowl, toss the apples with ½ tsp cinnamon and a pinch of nutmeg for extra flavor.

Step 5: Layer the Apples

1. Spread the chopped, spiced apples evenly on top of the dough layer, making sure they are well distributed.
2. Gently press the apples down so they settle into the base.

Step 6: Crumble the Remaining Dough

1. Take the remaining one-third of the dough and crumble it evenly over the apples.
2. It’s okay if it doesn’t cover everything perfectly — the crumble effect gives the bars that rustic look.

Step 7: Bake

1. Bake in the preheated oven for 40–45 minutes or until the top is golden brown and the apples are bubbling and tender.
2. The edges should be slightly crispy, and the center should set but still be soft and gooey.

Step 8: Caramel Drizzle

1. Once baked, remove the bars from the oven and let them cool completely in the pan (about 30 minutes).
2. After cooling, drizzle the salted caramel sauce generously over the top.
3. Allow the caramel to set for a few minutes before slicing.

Step 9: Chill and Slice

1. For cleaner cuts, refrigerate the bars for at least 30 minutes before slicing.
2. Use the parchment paper overhang to lift the bars out of the pan, then cut into squares.

Notes

🧊 Storage & Reheating

Room Temperature:
Store in an airtight container for up to 2 days.

Refrigerator:
Keeps fresh for 5 days. Let sit at room temp before serving or warm gently.

Freezer:
Freeze (without caramel topping) for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight, then drizzle caramel before serving.

Reheating:
Warm slices in the microwave for 10–15 seconds for an ooey-gooey treat.

🥄 Variations

Oat Crust: Add ½ cup rolled oats to the top dough for a crumbly oat streusel.

Nutty Crunch: Stir in ½ cup chopped walnuts or pecans.

Gluten-Free: Use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend.

Double Caramel: Mix some caramel sauce into the apple layer before baking.

Cheesecake Layer: Spread a thin layer of cream cheese filling under the apples.

Apple-Pear Mix: Use half apples and half pears for a sweet combo.

Maple Cinnamon Drizzle: Swap caramel for a maple syrup glaze with cinnamon.

Mini Bars: Use an 8×8 pan for thicker, smaller batch bars.

Vegan-Friendly: Use dairy-free butter alternatives.

Extra Spice: Add a pinch of cloves or allspice for more fall flavor.

❓ 10 FAQs

What are the best apples for this recipe?
Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or a mix of sweet and tart apples work best.

Do I need to peel the apples?
Yes, peeling creates a smoother, softer filling.

Can I make this ahead of time?
Absolutely! Bake and chill the night before, and drizzle caramel before serving.

Do I need to make the caramel from scratch?
Not at all — store-bought works perfectly!

Can I use brown sugar instead of white?
Yes, brown sugar adds a deeper, molasses-like flavor.

How do I cut clean slices?
Let bars cool completely, chill, and use a sharp knife wiped clean between cuts.

Can I skip the caramel?
You can — the bars are still delicious on their own!

What if I don’t have nutmeg?
You can use extra cinnamon or a dash of allspice.

Can I use whole wheat flour?
Yes, use half whole wheat and half all-purpose for best texture.

Can kids enjoy this recipe?
Definitely — no alcohol or pork, just sweet, cozy fall flavor!

🏁 Conclusion

These Salted Caramel Apple Bars are fall in dessert form — warm spices, tender apples, buttery crumble, and that irresistible caramel drizzle. Whether you’re baking for family, gifting treats, or satisfying your own sweet tooth, these bars hit the seasonal sweet spot perfectly.

No pork, no alcohol, just warm autumn comfort in every bite. 🍁