Salted Caramel Apple Pie Bars

These bars deliver all the cozy comfort of apple pie in a handheld form—buttery shortbread base, tender spiced apples, crispy streusel topping, and ribbons of homemade salted caramel that make every bite irresistible.

Ingredients:

• 1½ cups all-purpose flour
• ½ cup cold butter, cubed
• ¼ cup sugar
• ¼ tsp salt
• 4 medium apples, peeled and sliced
• ¼ cup sugar, ¼ tsp cinnamon, pinch nutmeg
• ½ cup rolled oats, ¼ cup flour, ¼ cup brown sugar, 3 tbsp butter for streusel
• ½ cup caramel sauce (store-bought or homemade)
• Fleur de sel for topping

Method:

1. Preheat to 350°F. Make shortbread crust by mixing flour, cold butter, sugar, and salt until breadcrumbs form. Press into a lined 8x8 pan and bake 12 minutes.
2. Toss apples with sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Spread over crust.
3. Mix oats, flour, brown sugar, and butter for streusel. Scatter over apples.
4. Bake 30–35 minutes until golden and apples are tender.
5. Drizzle warm caramel over warm bars, sprinkle with sea salt, and cool completely before slicing.

Full recipe at Sally's Baking Addiction →

Chef's tip: Make your caramel ahead and warm it gently before drizzling—this ensures clean, glossy ribbons that won't set too fast, and the salt brings out its subtle complexity.