Caramel Apple Crumb Bars (Printable)
Buttery shortbread topped with spiced caramel apples and a golden crumb layer
# What You'll Need:
→ Crust and Crumb
01 - 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 1 cup unsalted butter, cold, cubed
03 - 3/4 cup granulated sugar
04 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
05 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
→ Apple Filling
06 - 3 medium apples, peeled, cored, thinly sliced
07 - 2 tablespoons lemon juice
08 - 1/3 cup granulated sugar
09 - 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
10 - 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
→ Caramel Layer
11 - 1/2 cup store-bought or homemade caramel sauce
# How to Make It:
01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a 9x9-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving overhang for easy removal.
02 - In a large bowl, combine flour, sugar, and salt. Add cold butter and cut in using a pastry cutter or fingers until crumbly. Stir in vanilla extract.
03 - Reserve 1 1/2 cups of mixture for topping. Press remaining dough evenly into pan bottom to form crust.
04 - Bake crust for 12 minutes, then remove from oven.
05 - Toss apple slices with lemon juice. Add sugar, flour, and cinnamon, tossing to coat evenly.
06 - Spread apple mixture over hot crust. Drizzle caramel sauce over apples.
07 - Sprinkle reserved crumb mixture evenly over top.
08 - Bake for 28-32 minutes until topping is light golden brown and apples are tender.
09 - Cool completely in pan, then lift out using parchment and cut into bars.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The three texture layers create the most satisfying bite
- They taste like an apple pie but with half the effort
02 -
- Using cold butter is non negotiable for the crumb texture
- Letting the bars cool completely prevents them from falling apart when cut
03 -
- Chill the pan for 10 minutes before cutting for cleaner edges
- Use a sharp knife and wipe it clean between cuts