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Close-up of a sliced apple bar on a plate.

Caramel Apple Bars Recipe

Freshly baked Caramel Apple Bars combine tender cinnamon apples, melted caramel bits, and a golden, buttery crumble finished with slivered almonds for a sweet, crunchy treat.

Course: Dessert
Cuisine: International
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour
Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
Servings: 16 bars
Author: Manuela Zangara

Ingredients

For the Base

  • 80 g – ⅓ cup + 1 tbsp sugar
  • 225 g – 1 ¾ cups + 2 tbsp all-purpose flour – sifted
  • ½ tsp baking powder – sifted
  • 1 pinch of salt
  • 1 egg – lightly beaten
  • 100 g – 3.5 oz unsalted butter – melted

For the Apple Filling

  • 3 –4 apples – peeled and sliced
  • 1 tbsp ground cinnamon
  • 80 g – ⅓ cup + 1 tbsp sugar
  • 80 g – ½ cup caramel bits

For the Crumble Topping

  • 225 g – 1 ¾ cups + 2 tbsp all-purpose flour – sifted
  • 80 g – ⅓ cup + 1 tbsp caster sugar
  • 150 g – 5.3 oz cold unsalted butter – chopped
  • ½ cup slivered almonds

Instructions

Prepare the Buttery Base

  1. Line a 20 × 30 cm – 8 × 12-inch baking pan with baking paper.
  2. Place the sugar, sifted flour, baking powder, salt, lightly beaten egg, and melted butter in an electric mixer. Mix until just combined.
  3. Press the mixture evenly into the base of the prepared pan. Bake in a preheated oven at 180°C – 350°F for 20 to 25 minutes, or until golden and firm. Allow the base to cool completely.

Prepare the Cinnamon Apple Filling

  1. Place the peeled and sliced apples, sugar, and cinnamon in a bowl. Toss to combine, then set aside.

Make the Buttery Crumble Topping

  1. Place the sifted flour, cold chopped butter, and caster sugar in an electric mixer.

  2. Mix until the ingredients come together and form a coarse, breadcrumb-like mixture.

Assemble and Bake the Caramel Apple Bars

  1. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the apples onto the cooled base, shaking off the excess juice. Reserve the juice for serving. Spread the apples evenly over the base, then sprinkle the caramel bits on top.
  2. Cover the apples with the crumble topping and scatter the slivered almonds evenly over it.
  3. Bake in a preheated oven at 180°C – 350°F for 35 to 40 minutes, or until golden.
  4. Allow the bars to cool slightly before cutting.
  5. Serve warm or at room temperature with Salted Caramel Gelato and the reserved apple and cinnamon juice.