Imagine sinking your teeth into the perfect dessert. You get a buttery shortbread crust, a layer of tender, cinnamon-spiced apples, a generous drizzle of gooey salted caramel, and a crunchy, golden-brown oat crumble on top. That’s exactly what you get with these Salted Caramel Apple Crumble Bars. This recipe is designed to be straightforward, delivering a truly decadent treat that will have everyone asking for the recipe. They are the perfect sweet treat for any occasion, from fall gatherings to a simple afternoon indulgence.
Why This is the Only Recipe You’ll Ever Need
We’ve tested and tweaked to create the ultimate Salted Caramel Apple Crumble Bars. What makes this recipe stand out? It’s all about the perfect balance of textures and flavors. The shortbread base is sturdy enough to hold the hefty filling but tender enough to melt in your mouth. The apples are cooked just right, maintaining a slight bite that contrasts beautifully with the rich, flowing caramel. Finally, the crumble topping adds that essential crunch that makes a crumble so satisfying. It’s a foolproof recipe for a truly impressive dessert.
The Anatomy of the Perfect Crumble Bar
Understanding the role of each layer is key to appreciating and perfecting these bars. Each component is simple on its own, but together they create something truly special.
The Buttery Shortbread Crust
The foundation of our bars is a simple yet sturdy shortbread crust. Made with just flour, butter, and sugar, it provides a rich, buttery flavor and the perfect stable base for the layers above. We press it firmly into the pan to ensure it bakes into a crisp, even layer.
The Sweet & Tangy Apple Filling
For the filling, we use tart apples like Granny Smith. Their firm texture holds up well during baking, and their tartness cuts through the sweetness of the caramel and sugar. A touch of cinnamon and lemon juice enhances their natural flavor and prevents browning.
The Gooey Salted Caramel Center
This is the star of the show. Whether you use a quality store-bought sauce or our quick homemade version below, the salted caramel infuses every bite with a deep, rich, and slightly savory flavor that perfectly complements the sweet apples.
The Irresistible Oat Crumble Topping
The topping is a classic combination of rolled oats, flour, brown sugar, and butter. It bakes into a crunchy, golden-brown blanket that provides the perfect textural contrast to the soft, gooey filling. It’s the finishing touch that makes these bars absolutely irresistible.
Key Ingredients You’ll Need
We’re using simple, pantry-staple ingredients for this recipe. Here’s what you’ll need:
For the Crust & Crumble:
- All-Purpose Flour: Forms the structure of the crust and crumble.
- Rolled Oats: Use old-fashioned rolled oats for the best chewy, crunchy texture in the crumble.
- Brown Sugar: Adds moisture and a deep molasses flavor.
- Unsalted Butter: Cold, cubed butter is essential for creating a tender, crumbly texture.
- Cinnamon & Salt: For warmth and flavor balance.
For the Apple Filling:
- Granny Smith Apples: Their tartness and firm texture are ideal for baking. Honeycrisp or Braeburn are great alternatives.
- Lemon Juice: Prevents the apples from browning and adds a bright note.
- Granulated Sugar: To sweeten the filling.
- Cornstarch: A key ingredient to thicken the apple juices and prevent a soggy bottom.
For the Caramel:
- Salted Caramel Sauce: Use your favorite jarred sauce, or try our simple homemade recipe below for an extra special touch.
How to Make Salted Caramel Apple Crumble Bars (Step-by-Step)
Making these decadent bars is easier than you think. Just follow these simple steps for a perfect result every time.
Step 1: Prepare the Crust and Crumble Mixture
First, preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a 9×13 inch baking pan with parchment paper. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, rolled oats, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Cut in the cold, cubed butter using a pastry blender or your fingers until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. This mixture will serve as both your crust and your topping.
Step 2: Form the Crust
Take two-thirds of the crumble mixture and press it firmly and evenly into the bottom of your prepared pan. Use the bottom of a measuring cup to get a nice, compact layer. Bake for 15 minutes until it’s lightly golden. This pre-baking step ensures your crust stays crisp.
Step 3: Make the Apple Filling
While the crust bakes, prepare your apple filling. Peel, core, and thinly slice your apples. In a separate bowl, toss them with lemon juice, granulated sugar, and cornstarch until they are evenly coated. The cornstarch is crucial for thickening the juices as the apples bake.
Step 4: Assemble and Bake the Bars
Spread the prepared apple filling evenly over the warm, pre-baked crust. Drizzle the salted caramel sauce generously over the apples. Sprinkle the remaining one-third of the crumble mixture evenly over the caramel. Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the fruit is bubbly and the crumble topping is golden brown. Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan before cutting; this is essential for clean slices.
Pro Tips for Bar-Making Success
Want to ensure your Salted Caramel Apple Crumble Bars are absolutely perfect? Follow these expert tips.
- Don’t Overwork the Crumble: Mix the butter into the dry ingredients until it’s just combined. Over-mixing can make the crust tough instead of tender.
- Cool Completely: This is the most important tip! The bars need at least 2-3 hours to cool and set. If you cut into them while they’re warm, the caramel will ooze out, and they’ll fall apart. Patience is key.
- Use Cold Butter: Using very cold, cubed butter is crucial for creating the perfect crumbly, shortbread-like texture in the crust and topping.
- Spread Apples Evenly: Make sure the apple filling is in an even layer to ensure consistent baking and a stable bar.
Our Quick Homemade Salted Caramel Sauce
For a truly next-level flavor, try this simple homemade sauce. In a saucepan, melt 1 cup of granulated sugar over medium heat until it becomes an amber-colored liquid. Carefully whisk in 6 tablespoons of cubed, room-temperature butter until fully melted. Slowly pour in 1/2 cup of heavy cream and bring to a boil for 1 minute. Remove from heat and stir in 1 teaspoon of sea salt. Let it cool slightly before drizzling over your apples.
Storing Your Crumble Bars
You can store these bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. If you prefer them chilled, they will last in the refrigerator for up to a week. For longer storage, you can freeze the uncut slab or individual bars for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature before enjoying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, these bars are perfect for making ahead! You can bake them a day in advance and store them, covered, at room temperature. You can also prepare the crumble mixture and the apple filling separately and store them in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours before assembling and baking.
Absolutely! A thick, high-quality store-bought salted caramel sauce works perfectly in this recipe and is a great time-saver. We recommend an ice cream topping or a caramel dip for the best consistency.
The key to preventing soggy bars is twofold: first, use cornstarch in your apple filling to thicken any juices. Second, make sure to pre-bake the crust for 15 minutes before adding the filling. This creates a seal that prevents the apple juices from soaking into the base.
Store the cooled bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or in the refrigerator for up to a week. They also freeze beautifully for up to 3 months.
We recommend firm, tart apples like Granny Smith because they hold their shape well during baking and their tartness balances the sweetness of the caramel. Honeycrisp and Braeburn are also excellent choices.
More Dessert Recipes You’ll Love
If you enjoyed these crumble bars, you might also love our comforting Classic Peach Cobbler Recipe. For another fall favorite, be sure to check out this Super Moist Pumpkin Bread. And if you’re a cake lover, this Coffee Caramel Cake is a must-try!
Share Your Creations!
We are so excited for you to try this Salted Caramel Apple Crumble Bars recipe! If you make them, please leave a comment below and let us know how they turned out. Don’t forget to save this recipe to your favorite dessert board on Pinterest!
Salted Caramel Apple Crumble Bars Recipe
Salted Caramel Apple Crumble Bars: The Ultimate Gooey Recipe
Ingredients
Equipment
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a 9x13 inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the sides to lift the bars out later.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, rolled oats, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Cut in the cold butter with a pastry blender or your fingers until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- Set aside 2 cups of the crumble mixture for the topping. Press the remaining mixture firmly into the bottom of the prepared pan to form the crust.
- Bake the crust for 15 minutes until lightly golden.
- While the crust bakes, prepare the filling. In a medium bowl, toss the sliced apples with lemon juice, granulated sugar, and cornstarch until evenly coated.
- Spread the apple mixture evenly over the warm, pre-baked crust. Drizzle the salted caramel sauce over the apples.
- Sprinkle the reserved 2 cups of crumble mixture evenly over the caramel layer.
- Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the apple filling is bubbly.
- Let the bars cool completely in the pan on a wire rack before cutting into squares. This can take 2-3 hours but is essential for them to set properly.
Notes
Apple Choice: Feel free to use other firm, tart apples like Honeycrisp or Braeburn if you don't have Granny Smith.
