Salted Caramel Apple Bars – Buttery, Gooey, and Perfectly Sweet
If you love the cozy flavors of apple pie and caramel sauce but want something easier to make, these Salted Caramel Apple Bars are about to become your new favorite dessert. They’re layered with a buttery shortbread crust, tender cinnamon-spiced apples, and a rich, homemade salted caramel drizzle — all baked into chewy, golden perfection.
Every bite is a balance of sweet, salty, and buttery goodness. The crust melts in your mouth, the apples stay soft and juicy, and the salted caramel ties everything together with that irresistible gooey finish. These bars are perfect for fall baking, potlucks, or anytime you want a dessert that tastes like a warm hug in bar form.
They’re simple to make, easy to cut and serve, and guaranteed to disappear fast.
Why You’ll Love These Salted Caramel Apple Bars
1. Easy to make:
No pie crust rolling, no fancy equipment — just simple layers baked together in one pan.
2. Cozy fall flavor:
Apples, cinnamon, butter, and caramel — everything you crave during cooler months.
3. Perfect texture:
Soft apples, gooey caramel, and a crisp, buttery shortbread base.
4. Make-ahead friendly:
They store beautifully and taste even better the next day as the flavors meld.
5. Crowd-pleasing:
Everyone loves apple desserts, and the salted caramel twist makes these unforgettable.
6. Versatile:
Serve them warm with ice cream or chilled as handheld dessert bars.
What You’ll Need
These salted caramel apple bars use simple, pantry-friendly ingredients — but the flavor is pure bakery-level indulgence.
For the Shortbread Crust:
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 2/3 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup light brown sugar, packed
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
For the Apple Filling:
- 3 medium apples (about 3 cups), peeled, cored, and finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1/3 cup light brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
For the Salted Caramel Sauce:
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, cubed
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon sea salt (use flaky salt for garnish if desired)
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Make the Salted Caramel Sauce
In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt the sugar, stirring constantly with a heatproof spatula or wooden spoon. It will clump before melting into a thick amber-colored liquid.
Once melted and smooth, add the butter carefully (it will bubble). Stir until fully incorporated.
Slowly pour in the heavy cream while stirring — the mixture will bubble vigorously. Let it boil for 1 minute, then remove from heat.
Stir in the sea salt. Set aside to cool slightly while preparing the bars.
Tip: You can make the caramel ahead and store it in a jar in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. Reheat gently before using.
Step 2: Prepare the Crust
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving some overhang on the sides for easy removal later.
In a large mixing bowl, cream together the butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
Add flour and salt, and mix until the dough resembles coarse crumbs and starts to come together. It should feel slightly crumbly but hold when pressed.
Press two-thirds of the mixture evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan to form the crust. Reserve the remaining one-third for the topping.
Bake the crust for 12–15 minutes, or until lightly golden around the edges. Remove from the oven and let it cool slightly while preparing the apple layer.
Step 3: Make the Apple Filling
In a medium bowl, toss the chopped apples with lemon juice, flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt until the apples are evenly coated and glossy.
Spread the apple mixture evenly over the baked crust.
Step 4: Assemble the Layers
Drizzle half of the prepared salted caramel sauce over the apple layer, making sure to coat as evenly as possible.
Sprinkle the remaining shortbread mixture evenly over the top. It should form a crumbly layer that bakes into a golden, buttery topping.
Step 5: Bake the Bars
Bake the bars at 350°F (175°C) for 30–35 minutes, or until the top is lightly browned and the caramel is bubbling around the edges.
Remove from the oven and cool in the pan for at least 1 hour. The bars will firm up as they cool.
Step 6: Drizzle and Serve
Once mostly cooled, drizzle the remaining salted caramel sauce generously over the top.
For an extra touch, sprinkle with flaky sea salt just before serving. This enhances the caramel flavor and adds a beautiful gourmet finish.
Cut into bars and serve warm, at room temperature, or chilled — they’re delicious either way.
Tips for Perfect Salted Caramel Apple Bars
- Use firm, tart apples.
Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or Pink Lady hold their shape and balance the sweetness of the caramel perfectly. - Don’t skip the parchment paper.
It makes lifting the bars out and slicing them much easier. - Chill before slicing.
For neat, bakery-style squares, refrigerate the bars for 30–45 minutes before cutting. - Adjust the salt level.
If your caramel tastes too salty, add a bit more cream to balance it. If you love salty-sweet desserts, finish with flaky sea salt. - Make ahead for best flavor.
These bars actually taste better the next day once the caramel seeps into the crust and apples. - Use homemade or store-bought caramel.
Homemade gives the best flavor, but high-quality jarred caramel works in a pinch.
Flavor Variations
Once you’ve mastered the classic version, you can have fun with these delicious twists:
Maple Pecan Apple Bars:
Add 1/2 cup chopped pecans and 2 tablespoons maple syrup to the apple layer for a nutty, rich flavor.
Cranberry Apple Bars:
Add a handful of dried cranberries for tartness and a pop of color.
Apple Pie Cheesecake Bars:
Spread a thin layer of cream cheese filling (cream cheese + sugar + vanilla) over the crust before adding apples.
Oat Crumble Topping:
Mix oats with the reserved crust mixture for a rustic, crisp topping.
Spiced Apple Bars:
Add a pinch of cloves, allspice, or cardamom for extra depth.
Serving Suggestions
These Salted Caramel Apple Bars are delicious on their own, but you can elevate them with a few simple serving ideas:
- Warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream
- Topped with whipped cream and extra caramel drizzle
- Served with coffee, cider, or hot chocolate for a cozy treat
- Packed into lunchboxes or picnic baskets for a portable dessert
- Cut into small squares for dessert trays or bake sales
Whether you serve them warm and gooey or chilled and firm, these bars are always a hit.
How to Store and Reheat
Room Temperature:
Keep in an airtight container for up to 2 days. Store in a cool place away from direct sunlight.
Refrigerator:
Store covered for up to 5 days. The caramel will firm up slightly in the fridge but softens again at room temperature.
Freezer:
Freeze for up to 2 months. Wrap each bar individually in plastic wrap, then store in a freezer-safe container or bag. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator or at room temperature before serving.
Reheating:
Warm individual bars in the microwave for 10–15 seconds or in a 300°F (150°C) oven for 5 minutes to soften the caramel.
Make-Ahead Option
This dessert is ideal for make-ahead baking. You can prepare the bars completely, cool, and refrigerate them a day before serving.
Alternatively, prepare and bake the shortbread crust and caramel sauce the night before, then assemble and bake the bars fresh the next day.
The flavor improves over time, so these bars are at their best after resting for several hours or overnight.
Troubleshooting
Caramel too thick or hard:
Add an extra tablespoon of cream and stir over low heat until smooth again.
Bars too runny:
Make sure the caramel cools slightly before layering, and let the bars rest completely before slicing.
Crust too soft:
Bake the crust a few minutes longer next time before adding the apple filling.
Apples undercooked:
Dice them smaller or bake a little longer until tender.
Top browning too fast:
Tent with foil for the last 10 minutes of baking to prevent overbrowning.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use store-bought caramel sauce?
Yes. Choose a thick, high-quality caramel that’s not too runny. You can still sprinkle flaky sea salt for that gourmet touch.
What apples work best?
Granny Smith for tartness, Honeycrisp for sweetness, or a mix of both for perfect balance.
Can I make these gluten-free?
Absolutely. Use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend for both the crust and apple mixture.
Do they need to be refrigerated?
Not immediately, but refrigeration helps them last longer and makes slicing cleaner.
Can I double the recipe?
Yes. Bake in a larger pan or two 9×13 pans. Adjust baking time by adding about 5 minutes.
Can I make the caramel ahead?
Yes, it keeps up to 2 weeks in the fridge. Just warm it gently before drizzling.
Nutrition Information (Approximate per bar)
- Calories: 280
- Fat: 14g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Sugar: 25g
- Protein: 2g
- Fiber: 1g
(Nutrition values vary depending on portion size and ingredients.)
Why This Recipe Works
These salted caramel apple bars are the perfect marriage of textures and flavors. The buttery shortbread crust acts as a sturdy base while adding a melt-in-your-mouth richness. The apple filling provides natural sweetness and a touch of tartness, while the caramel sauce adds deep, buttery complexity and just enough salt to balance everything out.
Because the crust and crumble use the same dough, the recipe stays simple — no need to prepare multiple batters. Baking all the layers together allows the caramel to soak slightly into the apples and crust, creating that gooey, cohesive texture that makes these bars so irresistible.
Every bite gives you soft fruit, crisp edges, and rich caramel — like an apple pie and a cookie bar combined.
Tips for Customizing Your Apple Bars
- Add nuts for crunch.
Chopped pecans, walnuts, or almonds make a delicious addition to the topping. - Use different fruits.
Try pears, peaches, or mixed berries for a twist on the classic apple flavor. - Make mini versions.
Bake in muffin tins for portable, single-serve caramel apple cups. - Turn them into dessert squares.
Top chilled bars with a drizzle of white chocolate for an elegant finish. - Create a fall dessert platter.
Pair these bars with pumpkin bread, pecan cookies, or maple blondies for a seasonal spread.
Final Thoughts
These Salted Caramel Apple Bars are everything you love about fall desserts — buttery, sweet, slightly salty, and filled with warm apple flavor. They’re easy to make, easy to serve, and even easier to love.
Whether you bake them for family gatherings, cozy weekends, or holiday dessert tables, they always deliver comfort and indulgence in every bite.
The combination of buttery crust, spiced apples, and homemade caramel makes them unforgettable — a perfect treat that bridges the simplicity of a bar with the flavor of a classic pie.
Warm, golden, and irresistibly gooey — these bars are pure autumn comfort in dessert form.
