This delightful Caramel Apple Bars recipe pairs two fall favorites: it’s a combination of apple crisp and caramel apples, baked into scrumptiously shareable caramel apple crisp bars. With fresh sliced apples and melted caramel nestled between two layers of buttery brown sugar-oat streusel, it’s the perfect fall dessert.
This is one of our favorite fall baking recipes, because it features classic autumn flavors, it’s a great way to use up apples from an orchard trip and it only takes 20 minutes of hands-on time. Plus, as it’s baking, your home will smell sweet, cozy and comforting. What better way to spend an afternoon as the weather gets cooler outside?
What Are the Best Apples for Baking?
This recipe calls for tart apples to help balance out all the sweetness of the caramel and streusel. We also recommend firmer apples that will hold their shape, so they don’t get watery or mushy when they’re baked. Some of our favorite baking apples include Granny Smith, Braeburn, Cortland or Honeycrisp.
How Can I Serve Caramel Apple Bars?
One batch makes enough to share, and since these bars travel well, they’re terrific for bringing to fall potlucks and dinner gatherings. They’re not too fancy or fussy, either, so you can whip them up in almost no time! For an extra-special touch, you can dress your bars up with a scoop of ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream. Got leftovers? Enjoy them for breakfast the next day with a cup of coffee!
Frequently Asked Questions
Caramel Apple Bars
- Prep Time 20 min
- Total 50 min
- Servings 36
- Ingredients 9
Ingredients
- 1 cup packed brown sugar
- 1/2 cup butter, softened
- 1/4 cup shortening
- 1 3/4 cups plus 3 tablespoons Gold Medal™ All Purpose Flour, divided
- 1 1/2 cups quick-cooking oats
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 4 1/2 cups coarsely chopped peeled tart apples (3 medium)
- 1 bag (14 oz) caramels, unwrapped
Instructions
-
Step1Heat oven to 400°F.
-
Step2Mix brown sugar, butter and shortening in large bowl until smooth and well blended.
![]()
-
Step3Stir in 1 3/4 cups flour, the oats, salt and baking soda until crumbly.
![]()
-
Step4Reserve 2 cups oat mixture; press remaining oat mixture in ungreased 13x9-inch pan.
![]()
-
Step5In large bowl, toss apples and remaining 3 tablespoons of the flour. Top crust evenly with apple mixture.
![]()
-
Step6In small saucepan, heat caramels over low heat, stirring occasionally, until melted.
![]()
-
Step7Drizzle melted caramel evenly over apples.
![]()
-
Step8Sprinkle reserved oat mixture over caramels; press lightly.
![]()
-
Step9Bake 25 to 30 minutes or until apples are tender and topping is golden brown.
![]()
-
Step10Cool at least 20 minutes on cooling rack before serving. For 36 bars, cut into 6 rows by 6 rows while warm. Store covered in refrigerator.
Nutrition
Nutrition Facts
Serving Size: 1 Serving
- Calories
- 145
- Calories from Fat
- 45
- Total Fat
- 5 g
- Saturated Fat
- 3 g
- Cholesterol
- 10 mg
- Sodium
- 130 mg
- Potassium
- 80 mg
- Total Carbohydrate
- 24 g
- Dietary Fiber
- 1 g
- Protein
- 2 g
% Daily Value*:
- Vitamin A
- 2%
- 2%
- Vitamin C
- 0%
- 0%
- Calcium
- 2%
- 2%
- Iron
- 2%
- 2%
