Salted Caramel Apple Bars

$Here’s what you need to make Salted Caramel Apple Bars: - 1 cup unsalted butter - 3/4 cup granulated sugar - 3/4 cup packed brown sugar - 2 large eggs - 2 teaspoons vanilla extract - 2 cups all-purpose flour - 1 teaspoon baking powder - 1/2 teaspoon baking soda - 1/4 teaspoon salt - 2 cups peeled, cored, and diced apples (around 2 medium apples) - 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon - 1 cup caramel sauce (store-bought or homemade) - Sea salt for finishing Each ingredient plays a key role in making these bars rich and tasty. Butter adds creaminess. Granulated and brown sugars bring sweetness and depth. Eggs help bind the mix. The vanilla adds a lovely aroma. Flour gives structure, while baking powder and soda provide lift. Salt enhances all the flavors. Apples add moisture and a tart bite, balanced by cinnamon warmth. Finally, caramel and sea salt create that perfect sweet-salty touch. When you gather your ingredients, make sure everything is fresh. This ensures the best flavor. Trust me; it makes a big difference! Keep your apples crisp for a great texture. Use good quality caramel sauce for that rich taste. You can even try making your own if you feel adventurous! {{ingredient_image_2}} Preheating your oven is key. It helps the bars bake evenly. Set your oven to 350°F (175°C). While it heats, prepare a 9x13 inch baking dish. Lightly grease it with butter or line it with parchment paper. Leave some paper hanging over the edges. This makes it easy to lift the bars out later. The next step is creaming the butter and sugars. Use a large mixing bowl. Add the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar. Use an electric mixer on medium speed. Mix until the mixture is light and fluffy. This should take about 3 to 4 minutes. The air you add helps the bars rise well. Now it’s time to add eggs and vanilla. Add the two eggs one at a time. Make sure to mix well after each egg. This helps the batter stay smooth. After that, pour in the vanilla extract. Mix until everything blends together nicely. For the dry ingredients, grab another bowl. Whisk together all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add this dry mix to the wet ingredients. Use low speed on your mixer. Mix until just combined. Be careful not to overmix. This keeps your bars tender. Next, prepare the apples. In a small bowl, mix diced apples with ground cinnamon. Toss them gently until they are fully coated. This adds a warm flavor. Then, fold the cinnamon-coated apples into the batter. Use a spatula and do this carefully. You want them mixed in without breaking them down too much. Now it’s time to combine everything. Pour the apple-filled batter into the prepared baking dish. Use a spatula to spread it evenly. Then, drizzle the caramel sauce over the top. Use a knife or skewer to swirl the caramel into the batter. Be gentle to keep the apple pieces intact. Place the dish in your preheated oven. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes. To check if they are done, insert a toothpick in the center. It should come out clean or with a few moist crumbs. To make your salted caramel apple bars just right, start with room temperature butter. Cold butter can cause uneven mixing. Mix the butter and sugars until light and fluffy. This step adds air, making the bars soft. To avoid dry bars, do not overmix the batter once you add the flour. Mix until just combined. This keeps them tender and moist. You can boost the flavor with spices. Consider adding nutmeg or ginger for warmth. Adjust sweetness by using less sugar or a sweeter caramel. Taste the batter before baking. You want a balance of sweet and tart from the apples. Serve the bars on a pretty platter or wooden board. Drizzle more caramel sauce on top for a sweet touch. Add thin apple slices on the side for color. A sprinkle of sea salt will enhance the caramel flavor. Pro Tips Use Fresh Apples: For the best flavor and texture, opt for fresh, crisp apples like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp. Their tartness balances perfectly with the sweetness of the caramel. Don't Overmix the Batter: Mix the batter just until the dry ingredients are incorporated to ensure a tender, cake-like texture. Overmixing can lead to dense bars. Chill the Caramel: If using homemade caramel, allow it to cool slightly before swirling. This makes it easier to achieve a marbled effect without it sinking into the batter. Serve Warm: For the ultimate indulgence, serve the bars warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top, drizzled with extra caramel sauce. {{image_4}} You can switch apples for other fruits. Pears work well and add a soft touch. You might also use peaches or berries for a different flavor. Seasonal fruits like cherries or plums can bring fun colors and tastes to your bars. If you need gluten-free options, use almond flour or oat flour. Both work great in this recipe. For vegan substitutions, replace eggs with flaxseed meal mixed with water. You can also use coconut oil or vegan butter instead of regular butter. To add a nutty crunch, mix in chopped walnuts or pecans. You can also fold in chocolate chips for a sweet twist. Different types of caramel sauce can change the taste, too. Try dark caramel for a richer flavor or sea salt caramel for extra zing. To keep your salted caramel apple bars fresh, store them in a cool place. Use an airtight container to protect them from air and moisture. Place parchment paper between layers if you stack them. This will keep the bars from sticking together. For best results, refrigerate the bars if you plan to keep them for more than a few days. The cool temperature will help maintain their texture and flavor. To freeze the bars, first let them cool completely. Cut them into squares as you normally would. Wrap each square in plastic wrap tightly. Then, place the wrapped bars in a freezer-safe bag. This prevents freezer burn and keeps them fresh. To thaw, simply take the bars out of the freezer. Leave them at room temperature for about an hour. For a warm treat, you can microwave them for a few seconds. Enjoy the rich taste of salted caramel apple bars whenever you want! Salted Caramel Apple Bars can last for about 4 to 5 days. Keep them in an airtight container at room temperature. If you want them to last longer, store them in the fridge. Just let them come to room temp before serving. Yes, you can make these bars in advance. Bake them and let them cool completely. Once cool, store them in an airtight container. They taste great even after a day or two. If you don’t have apples, you can use pears or peaches. Both fruits will add a nice flavor. Just make sure they are ripe for the best taste. To make the bars less sweet, reduce the sugar slightly. You can use less brown sugar or granulated sugar. You can also use unsweetened applesauce for extra moisture without adding too much sweetness. Yes, you can use a different size pan. Just keep an eye on the baking time. A smaller pan will take longer, while a larger pan will bake faster. Adjust the time based on how thick the batter is. If the bars are too sticky, let them cool longer before slicing. Use a sharp knife to cut them. You can also dust the knife with flour to help it glide through the sticky parts. In this blog post, we explored the delicious recipe for Salted Caramel Apple Bars. We covered essential ingredients and detailed steps to create the perfect treat. I shared tips for texture and flavor, along with variations to suit your needs. Remember to store your bars properly for freshness. Experiment with different fruits and dietary options to make it your own. Enjoy baking these bars and delight in the taste of fall!$

Salted Caramel Apple Bars

Deliciously sweet and salty apple bars with a rich caramel swirl.

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Prep Time 15

Cook Time 30

Total Time 50

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Servings 20

Calories 200 kcal

Ingredients

1 cup unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
3.4 cup granulated sugar
3.4 cup packed brown sugar
2 large eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
0.5 teaspoon baking soda
0.25 teaspoon salt
2 cups apples, peeled, cored, and diced
0.5 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 cup caramel sauce
to taste sea salt, for finishing

Instructions

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and prepare a 9x13 inch baking dish.
In a large mixing bowl, cream the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar together until light and fluffy.
Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition, then mix in the vanilla extract.
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until just combined.
In a small bowl, combine the diced apples with ground cinnamon and toss until coated.
Fold the cinnamon-coated apples into the batter using a spatula.
Pour the batter into the prepared baking dish and spread it evenly.
Drizzle the caramel sauce over the batter and swirl it gently with a knife or skewer.
Bake for 25-30 minutes, checking for doneness with a toothpick.
Cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then lift out using parchment overhang and cool completely on a wire rack.
Sprinkle sea salt over the top before serving.

Notes

Serve with additional caramel sauce and apple slices for garnish.

Keyword apple bars, caramel, dessert, fall recipes