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Easy Caramel Apple Crumble Bars: The Best Fall Dessert

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These Easy Caramel Apple Crumble Bars feature layers of buttery oat crumble, tender spiced apples, and gooey caramel. They are simple enough for a weeknight, special enough for holidays, and budget-friendly for fall baking.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 cups (240g) all-purpose flour
  • 1½ cups (150g) old-fashioned rolled oats
  • 1 cup (200g) packed light brown sugar
  • 1 cup (226g) unsalted butter, cold and cubed
  • 1½ teaspoons ground cinnamon
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 4 medium (about 600g) apples (Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or Braeburn), peeled and diced into ½-inch cubes
  • ¼ cup (50g) granulated sugar
  • 2 tablespoons (15g) all-purpose flour
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 cup (about 20-25) soft caramel candies, unwrapped
  • 3 tablespoons heavy cream

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving 2 inches overhang on the long sides. Lightly grease the parchment.
  2. In a large bowl, whisk together 2 cups flour, 1½ cups oats, 1 cup brown sugar, 1½ teaspoons cinnamon, and ½ teaspoon salt. Add cold cubed butter. Using a pastry cutter or fingers, work butter into dry ingredients until mixture resembles coarse meal with some pea-sized butter pieces.
  3. Transfer about half of the crumb mixture (roughly 2½ cups) into the prepared pan. Press firmly and evenly into the bottom. Bake for 12 minutes until just set and lightly golden around the edges. Set remaining crumb mixture aside.
  4. While crust bakes, peel and core apples. Dice into ½-inch cubes. In a medium bowl, toss apples with ¼ cup granulated sugar, 2 tablespoons flour, 1 tablespoon lemon juice, and 1 teaspoon vanilla until coated.
  5. In a small saucepan over low heat, combine unwrapped caramel candies and 3 tablespoons heavy cream. Stir constantly until completely melted and smooth (about 5 minutes). Alternatively, microwave in 20-second bursts, stirring between each.
  6. Spread apple mixture evenly over pre-baked crust. Drizzle melted caramel over apples. Sprinkle remaining crumb mixture over the top, pressing down gently.
  7. Bake for 35-40 minutes until top is golden brown and filling is bubbly around the edges. If top browns too fast after 25 minutes, tent loosely with foil.
  8. Cool completely in the pan on a wire rack for at least 2 hours (or overnight). Use parchment overhang to lift slab onto a cutting board. Slice into squares with a sharp knife, wiping blade clean between cuts.

Notes

Keep butter cold for flaky texture. Pre-bake crust to avoid sogginess. Let bars cool completely before cutting for clean slices. For gluten-free, use 1:1 gluten-free flour blend and certified gluten-free oats. For dairy-free, use plant-based butter and coconut cream.

Nutrition

Keywords: caramel apple crumble bars, apple dessert, fall dessert, crumble bars, easy apple bars, caramel apple bars

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