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Caramel Apple Bars

One of the best things about fall baking is apples. From breads to cobblers to pies to just about anything else you can come up with, I am there with a fork and ready for my serving.

Of course, if we take this a step further, one of the best things about baking with apples is cinnamon. I am a big fan of cinnamon, especially this time of year. I keep a big jar of Penzey’s Vietnamese Extra Fancy Cinnamon on hand at all times. It’s a bit stronger than your standard cinnamon. And it’s so, so good.

Caramel Apple Bars are a great alternative to apple pie. They're a delicious combination of apples, cinnamon, and caramel with a buttery oat crust.Anyway, back to these bars. Apples and cinnamon get together with their good friend caramel to make these even more delicious. The crust is packed with butter and oats and cinnamon. That’s topped off with caramel. Then, apples and even more cinnamon. Then, more of that buttery crust tops them off.

For all of the fans of fall out there, these are a great way to kick off your fall baking. Let those apples, caramel, and cinnamon welcome you and your taste buds into cooler weather.

Caramel Apple Bars

Yield 24 2-inch square bars
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 36 minutes

This caramel apple bar recipe features an ooey gooey layer of caramel, tender baked apples, and a buttery oat crust.

Caramel Apple Bars

Ingredients

For the crust:

  • 2 & 1/2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup packed light brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 3/4 cup cold unsalted butter, cut into small pieces

For the caramel:

  • 6 ounces soft caramels (18-20 caramels)
  • 1/4 cup heavy cream

For the apple filling:

  • 3 large tart apples (such as Granny Smith, Pink Lady, or Fuji)
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 & 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°.
  2. Grease a 9”x 13”x 2” baking pan.

To make the crust:

  1. Stir together oats, flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, baking powder, and salt in a large bowl. Add cold butter and mix with a pastry blender, a fork, or your hands until mixture is crumbly.
  2. Remove about 1/2 cup of crust mixture. Set aside.
  3. Press remaining dough evenly into bottom of prepared pan. Bake 16-18 minutes, or until crust is lightly golden. Set pan on wire rack to cool slightly.

To make the caramel layer:

  1. Place caramels and cream in a heavy saucepan. Cook over medium-low heat, stirring constantly, until mixture is smooth.
  2. Immediately pour caramel over partially baked crust and spread evenly.

To make the apple filling:

  1. Chop apples into small pieces (1/4-1/2-inch). As you chop the apples, place them in a medium bowl and toss with lemon juice to prevent browning.
  2. Place butter in a large pan over medium heat. When butter has melted, add chopped apples. Cook about 8 minutes, stirring frequently. Add sugar and cinnamon and continue cooking another 8 minutes, or until apples are softened.
  3. Spread apple mixture evenly over caramel layer. Scatter reserved crust mixture over top of apple filling.
  4. Bake 25-30 minutes, or until bars are lightly browned. Cool completely in pan before cutting into bars.

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    8 Comments on “Caramel Apple Bars”

  1. these sound absolutely perfect!

  2. Thank you for this recipe! Question for you, the oats, should we be using the quick 1 min cooking oats, or the old fashioned (longer cooking time) oats?

  3. Chandana, I used old-fashioned oats.

  4. Yum!! I am so in the mood for anything “apple” now that fall is here!

  5. Thank you Jennifer!

  6. Yum!! Perfect for fall!

  7. Do you drain the apples after you cook them? I had quite a bit of liquid after cooking. To be safe I drained some, and they turned out great but I was wondering if you had the same results. Great recipe! I’m definitely keeping this one in my archive.

  8. Jenni, I didn’t drain the apples, but it’s perfectly fine to drain some of the liquid if you want. If memory serves, I didn’t have an abundance of liquid after cooking them.

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