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Close up side view of an apple pie bar with a pecan crumble and drizzled with salted caramel
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4.37 from 19 reviews

Salted Caramel Apple Pie Bars

These Salted Caramel Apple Pie Bars are the perfect portable sweet bite. A perfectly flaky shortbread crust, spiced sweet apples, pecan crumb topping, and the most addicting salted caramel drizzle make the best dessert bars!
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Keyword Apple Pie Bars, Salted Caramel Apple Pie
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Inactive Time 20 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 30 minutes
Servings 12 bars
Calories 660kcal

Ingredients

For the Crust

For the Apple Filling

  • 3 pounds apples (any combination granny smith, gala, golden delicious, etc), peeled, cut in half, cored and sliced into 1/8-inch thick
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1/4 cup sugar
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1/8 teaspoon nutmeg
  • 1/4 cup bourbon

Salted Caramel Sauce - see recipe link

Instructions

  • Make the Salted Caramel Sauce - Link provided
  • Preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a 13 x 9 inch baking pan with parchment paper allowing excess to extend over the sides of the pan.

To Make the Crust

  • In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the butter, sugars and vanilla extract over medium speed, for about 3 minutes or until light and creamy. 
  • Sift the flour and salt together. With the mixer on low speed add the flour to the butter/sugar mixture slowly. Beat until combine. 
  • Take two-thirds of the dough and press it into the prepared baking pan in an even layer. It should be about 1/2-inch up the sides. Refrigerate for about 20 minutes.
  • Remove from the refrigerator and bake for about 18 - 20 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from the oven and set aside to cool.
  • Meanwhile, add the chopped pecans and cinnamon to the remaining dough. Put the bowl back on the mixer and mix on low to combine. You can also remove the bowl from the mixer and mix it by hand.

For the Apple Filling

  • In a large bowl, combine the apples and lemon juice to prevent browning. 
  • Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the apples, sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg and toss to combine. Cook for about 3 minutes stirring often. Add the bourbon and simmer over medium-low heat for about 10 minutes or until some or most of the liquid has evaporated. Remove from the heat.
  • Spread the apples evenly over the crust, leaving a 1/2-inch border.

To Finish

  • Lower the oven temperature to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. 
  • Use your fingers to pinch pieces of the remaining dough and apply to the top the apples as if trying to make a crumble. 
  • Bake for 25 to 30 minutes or until the top is golden brown. Remove from the oven and cool completely. 
  • When cool, lift the baked bar using the excess parchment paper as handles. Drizzle with the Salted Caramel Sauce. Cut into bars and serve. 

Notes

  • Store the bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 4-5 days. They can be frozen for up to 2 months. Thaw them in the fridge overnight then, bring them to room temperature. I prefer to freeze them without the caramel drizzle.

Nutrition

Calories: 660kcal | Carbohydrates: 74g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 38g | Saturated Fat: 22g | Cholesterol: 91mg | Sodium: 565mg | Potassium: 205mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 37g | Vitamin A: 1120IU | Vitamin C: 5.7mg | Calcium: 37mg | Iron: 2.3mg