Print
clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon
Apple Pie Bars Recipe Salted Caramel Lace 1760580259.3224292

apple pie bars recipe Salted Caramel Lace

  • Author: Liana Brooks
  • Total Time: 215 minutes
  • Yield: 12-16 bars 1x
  • Diet: General

Description

This recipe transforms classic apple pie into convenient, family-friendly bars. It features a tender, buttery shortbread crust, a juicy apple filling with warm spices, and a dreamy salted caramel lace topping.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 0.5 cup granulated sugar
  • 0.5 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup cold unsalted butter, cubed
  • 6 medium fresh baking apples (1.1 kg), peeled, cored, 0.25-inch slices
  • 0.5 cup packed brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 0.25 teaspoon nutmeg
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 2 tablespoons cornstarch
  • 0.5 cup unsalted butter
  • 0.25 cup packed brown sugar
  • 0.25 cup granulated sugar
  • 0.25 cup (60 ml) heavy cream
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 0.5 teaspoon sea salt flakes

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven & Prepare Pan: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a 9×13 inch baking pan with parchment paper.
  2. Mix Crust Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk flour, sugar, and salt. Cut in cold butter until coarse crumbs form, resembling wet sand.
  3. Bake Crust: Press crust mixture firmly into the pan. Bake 15-18 minutes until edges are lightly golden and fragrant. Cool slightly.
  4. Prepare Apples: While the crust bakes, peel, core, and slice apples about 0.25 inch thick, aiming for uniform slices.
  5. Mix Apple Filling: In a large bowl, toss sliced apples with brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, lemon juice, and cornstarch until evenly coated.
  6. Spread Filling: Spread the apple mixture evenly over the warm, pre-baked crust.
  7. Bake Bars: Return the pan to the oven and bake for 35-45 minutes, until apples are very tender and the top is bubbly.
  8. Cool Completely: Let the pan cool completely on a wire rack before adding caramel.
  9. Make Caramel Base: Melt butter and sugars in a saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a boil, stirring 1-2 minutes until smooth.
  10. Thicken Caramel: Reduce heat. Stir in heavy cream and vanilla. Simmer 3-5 minutes until thickened, coating a spoon.
  11. Finish Caramel: Remove from heat; stir in sea salt. Cool 5-10 minutes until slightly thick, but still pourable.
  12. Drizzle Caramel: Drizzle generously over the cooled apple pie bars.
  13. Set Caramel: Allow caramel to set for at least 30 minutes at room temperature. For clean cuts, chilling the pan for an hour is recommended.

Notes

Helpful tips include using walnuts or pecans for extra crunch, or ginger or cardamom for a unique spice kick to the filling. For a gluten-free version, use a 1:1 gluten-free baking flour blend for the crust, and coconut sugar can be used as a lower glycemic option for the filling. For best flavor, choose firm, crisp apples (Honeycrisp, Gala, Fuji), freshly grated spices, high-quality butter, and real vanilla extract. If apples are not tender after baking, cover with foil and bake 5-10 minutes longer. For clean slicing, chill the bars for an hour after the caramel sets.

  • Prep Time: 35 minutes
  • Cook Time: 65 minutes
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 bar
  • Calories: 400 calories
  • Sugar: 40 g
  • Sodium: 250 mg
  • Fat: 25 g
  • Saturated Fat: 15 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 55 g
  • Fiber: 3 g
  • Protein: 4 g
  • Cholesterol: 50 mg

Keywords: apple pie bars, salted caramel, apple dessert, fall dessert, easy baking, shortbread crust, family friendly, cozy treat, sweet apples

Did you make this recipe?

Share a photo and tag us — we can't wait to see what you've made!

Find it online: https://easydashrecipes.com/apple-pie-bars-recipe-salted-caramel-lace/