Name: Caramel Apple Bars Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 35 min
Total time: 50 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 cup unsalted butter (softened); 1 cup packed brown sugar; 1/2 cup granulated sugar; 2 large eggs; 2 teaspoons vanilla extract; 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour; 1 teaspoon baking soda; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon; 2 medium apples (peeled and finely chopped); 1 cup caramel bits or chopped soft caramels; 1 tablespoon milk

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If you’re looking for the perfect dessert to embrace cozy vibes and autumn flavors, Caramel Apple Bars are destined to become your new favorite. Imagine chewy, cinnamon-kissed apple bars layered with melty pockets of caramel, all wrapped up in a golden, buttery crust. These bars strike that magical balance between nostalgic apple pie and gooey caramel treat, making them absolutely irresistible to kids and adults alike. Whether you’re making them for a casual afternoon snack, a potluck, or your holiday table, this recipe captures all the comfort and fun of fall in every bite.

Caramel Apple Bars Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

These simple but essential ingredients are all you need to transform everyday staples into a showstopping treat. Each one builds the taste, texture, and irresistible color that make Caramel Apple Bars truly unforgettable.

Unsalted butter: Provides a rich, tender base and just the right amount of melt-in-your-mouth texture.
Packed brown sugar: Adds moisture and a deep, molasses sweetness that pairs perfectly with apples and caramel.
Granulated sugar: Lends balanced sweetness and helps achieve that classic chewy bar consistency.
Large eggs: Bring everything together, adding structure and a touch of fluff.
Vanilla extract: Deepens the comforting warmth of the bars by enhancing all the cozy flavors.
All-purpose flour: Acts as the sturdy foundation that holds these delicious bars together.
Baking soda: Gives the bars just the right lift, making them light but satisfyingly dense.
Salt: A tiny bit brightens and balances all the sweet ingredients.
Ground cinnamon: The must-have spice for an apple dessert, it brings out a charming, autumnal aroma.
Medium apples (peeled and finely chopped): Choose tart apples like Granny Smith for the best flavor pop and texture.
Caramel bits or chopped soft caramels: These melt down to create those luscious caramel ribbons you’ll crave.
Milk: Just a splash gives the caramel drizzle its smooth, pourable sheen.

How to Make Caramel Apple Bars

Step 1: Preheat the Oven & Prep Your Pan

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F. Line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper or lightly grease it with butter or non-stick spray. This step makes sure your Caramel Apple Bars will lift out beautifully after baking, so you get those perfect clean squares every time.

Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugars

In a large mixing bowl, combine the softened unsalted butter, packed brown sugar, and granulated sugar. Beat them together until the mixture is light, fluffy, and a shade lighter in color. Take your time here: a well-creamed base means your bars will be melt-in-your-mouth tender.

Step 3: Add Eggs and Vanilla

Beat in the eggs, one at a time, ensuring each is fully mixed before adding the next. Then, pour in the vanilla extract. This step helps create a silky, cohesive batter that holds all the flavors together.

Step 4: Combine Dry Ingredients

In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, salt, and ground cinnamon. Mixing the dry ingredients first ensures the baking soda and salt are distributed evenly throughout the flour for a consistent rise and taste in every bite.

Step 5: Make the Batter and Fold in Apples

Gradually mix the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring until everything is just combined (don’t overmix!). Gently fold in the peeled, finely chopped apples. You want the apples evenly distributed so every bar is packed with juicy bits of fruit.

Step 6: Bake the Bars

Spread the thick batter evenly into your prepared pan, smoothing the top with a spatula. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes or until the top is golden and a toothpick poked into the center comes out mostly clean (a bit of stickiness from apple bits or caramel is just fine).

Step 7: Make and Drizzle the Caramel

While the bars are baking, melt the caramel bits (or chopped soft caramels) with milk in a small saucepan over low heat, or zap in the microwave in short bursts, stirring until smooth and pourable. As soon as your bars come out of the oven and are still warm, drizzle the silky caramel all over. This decadent finish seeps into the bars for extra gooey goodness.

Step 8: Cool and Slice

Let the Caramel Apple Bars cool completely in the pan so the caramel sets perfectly. Once cooled, use the edges of the parchment to lift them out, then slice into squares for serving. Every bar promises chewy, buttery bliss with hints of apple and gooey caramel in every bite.

How to Serve Caramel Apple Bars

Garnishes

A simple drizzle of extra caramel sauce is always a hit, but you could also dust the bars with a little powdered sugar for a classic bakery-style look. Chopped toasted nuts (like pecans or walnuts) add a satisfyingly crunchy finish and pair beautifully with apples and caramel.

Side Dishes

Caramel Apple Bars shine on their own, but they’re positively dreamy served with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream. For a special fall treat, pair them alongside a mug of spiced apple cider or coffee. The warm, gooey bars and cold, creamy sides are a match made in dessert heaven.

Creative Ways to Present

Get festive by cutting the bars into fun shapes with cookie cutters, or wrap individual squares in parchment and twine for an easy grab-and-go treat. You can even stack mini bars for a gorgeous party platter centerpiece, or tuck them into lunchboxes for a mid-day pick-me-up.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Once cooled and sliced, keep your Caramel Apple Bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. They retain their soft, chewy texture and won’t dry out thanks to the apples and caramel.

Freezing

To freeze, arrange the bars in a single layer in a freezer-safe container with parchment paper between layers to prevent sticking. They’ll keep beautifully for up to 2 months. When you’re craving a square, just let it thaw at room temperature while you wait for that first delicious bite.

Reheating

If you prefer your bars warm and gooey, pop a square in the microwave for 10-15 seconds. This brings out the melty caramel and softens the apples, almost as if they just came out of the oven.

FAQs

Can I use a different type Dessert

Absolutely! While Granny Smith apples are wonderful for their tartness and firm texture, you can use Honeycrisp, Braeburn, or even a mix for a slightly different flavor. Just be mindful that very soft apples might make the bars a bit more moist.

What if I don’t have caramel bits?

No worries at all. You can chop up soft caramel candies instead, or even use a good store-bought caramel sauce for drizzling. It all adds to the gooey caramel layers that make these bars so irresistible.

Can I make Caramel Apple Bars gluten-free?

Yes! Simply swap the all-purpose flour for your favorite 1:1 gluten-free baking flour blend. Make sure your other ingredients are also certified gluten-free, and you’re good to go.

Can I add nuts for extra crunch?

Certainly. Chopped pecans or walnuts add outstanding texture and flavor to these bars. Just stir about 1/2 cup into the batter with the apples for a little extra crunch in every bite.

How do I know when the bars are done baking?

The bars are ready when the top is golden brown and a tester inserted into the center comes out mostly clean, with just a bit of moisture from the apples or caramel. Resist over-baking to keep them perfectly chewy.

Final Thoughts

Trust me, once you try these Caramel Apple Bars, you’ll want to bake them on repeat for every season, not just fall. They’re easy, crowd-pleasing, and downright irresistible. Give them a try and savor every gooey, apple-packed bite—you’ll be sharing this recipe with family and friends in no time!

Caramel Apple Bars Recipe

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4.6 from 19 reviews

Author: admin
Total Time: 50 minutes
Yield: 24 bars 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

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Description

Indulge in the delicious combination of sweet caramel and tart apples with these chewy and flavorful Caramel Apple Bars. Perfect for fall or any time of year!

Ingredients

Scale

Dough:

1 cup unsalted butter (softened)
1 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Filling:

2 medium apples (peeled and finely chopped)
1 cup caramel bits or chopped soft caramels
1 tablespoon milk

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Instructions

Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease or line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper.
Mix dough: In a large bowl, cream butter and sugars. Add eggs one at a time and vanilla. In a separate bowl, whisk flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon. Gradually add dry ingredients to wet, then fold in apples.
Bake: Spread batter in pan and bake for 30-35 minutes until golden and a toothpick comes out clean.
Prepare caramel: Melt caramel bits with milk until smooth. Drizzle over warm bars once baked. Cool before slicing.