If fall had a flavor, it would taste like these Irresistible Salted Caramel Apple Bars – buttery shortbread crust, cinnamon-spiced apple filling, and a luscious salted caramel drizzle. They’re part apple pie, part cookie bar, and 100% the cozy treat you’ll want on repeat all season long.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Layers of flavor – rich buttery base, tender apples, and gooey caramel.
- Perfect for gatherings – easy to slice, serve, and transport.
- Make-ahead friendly – they taste even better the next day.
Ingredients You’ll Need
For the crust & topping:
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2/3 cup granulated sugar
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon salt
For the apple filling:
- 4 medium apples, peeled, cored, and diced
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- ½ cup brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
For the salted caramel drizzle:
- ½ cup caramel sauce (homemade or store-bought)
- ½ teaspoon flaky sea salt
How to Make Salted Caramel Apple Bars
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper.
- Make the crust – In a bowl, beat butter and sugar until creamy. Mix in flour and salt until crumbly. Press ⅔ of the mixture into the pan to form the base.
- Prepare the apple layer – Toss diced apples with flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Spread evenly over the crust.
- Add the topping – Sprinkle remaining crust mixture over the apples.
- Bake for 35–40 minutes, until golden brown and apples are tender.
- Drizzle & serve – Cool completely, then drizzle with caramel sauce and sprinkle with flaky sea salt before cutting into bars.
Tips & Variations
- Caramel Lovers – Add caramel bits to the apple layer for extra gooeyness.
- Nutty Twist – Mix chopped pecans or walnuts into the topping.
- Extra Salt Kick – Sprinkle sea salt before baking for a deeper salted caramel flavor.
Storage
- Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or refrigerate for up to 5 days.
- These bars freeze beautifully – just wrap tightly and freeze for up to 3 months.
More Fall Dessert Favorites
Final Bite: These Salted Caramel Apple Bars are the perfect mashup of apple pie and cookie bars, with a salty-sweet finish that keeps you coming back for more. Serve them warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for the ultimate indulgence.