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Cozy Apple Pie Bars with Salted Caramel Drizzle

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These buttery shortbread apple pie bars with a soft spiced apple filling and homemade salted caramel drizzle are the perfect easy dessert for cozy evenings, bake sales, or last-minute gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour (spooned and leveled)
  • ½ cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed
  • ¼ cup granulated sugar
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 tablespoons cold water (add more if needed, a teaspoon at a time)
  • 4 medium apples, peeled, cored, and thinly sliced (Honeycrisp or Granny Smith recommended)
  • ¼ cup granulated sugar
  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar, packed
  • 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • ⅛ teaspoon ground cloves (optional)
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • ½ cup granulated sugar (for caramel)
  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into pieces (for caramel)
  • ¼ cup heavy cream, room temperature (for caramel)
  • ½ teaspoon flaky sea salt (for caramel, plus more for sprinkling)
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract (for caramel)

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving a 2-inch overhang on two opposite sides. Lightly grease the parchment with butter or non-stick spray.
  2. Make the shortbread crust: In a food processor, combine 1 ½ cups flour, ¼ cup sugar, and ¼ teaspoon salt. Pulse to mix. Add ½ cup cold cubed butter and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract. Pulse until mixture resembles coarse sand with a few pea-sized butter pieces. Drizzle in 2 tablespoons cold water, one tablespoon at a time, pulsing until dough just starts to come together.
  3. Press dough evenly into prepared pan. Prick all over with a fork. Bake for 15-18 minutes, until edges are just golden. Set aside to cool slightly.
  4. Prepare apple filling: In a large bowl, toss sliced apples with 1 tablespoon lemon juice. Add ¼ cup granulated sugar, 2 tablespoons brown sugar, 1 tablespoon flour, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, ¼ teaspoon nutmeg, and ⅛ teaspoon cloves. Mix well. Let sit for 5 minutes.
  5. Arrange apple slices evenly over pre-baked crust in a single, slightly overlapping layer. Pour any remaining juices over the top.
  6. Bake for 30-35 minutes, until apples are tender and edges are bubbly. If top browns too quickly, tent with foil for last 10 minutes. Cool in pan on a wire rack for at least 20 minutes.
  7. Make salted caramel: In a small saucepan over medium heat, spread ½ cup sugar in an even layer. Swirl pan occasionally until sugar melts and turns deep amber (5-7 minutes). Remove from heat, immediately add 3 tablespoons butter (it will bubble). Whisk until melted. Slowly pour in ¼ cup heavy cream while whisking constantly. Stir in ½ teaspoon flaky sea salt and ½ teaspoon vanilla extract. Let cool for 5 minutes.
  8. Drizzle warm caramel over cooled bars. Sprinkle extra flaky sea salt on top. Let set for at least 15 minutes. Lift bars out using parchment handles, cut into 9 or 16 squares.

Notes

Pre-bake the crust to prevent sogginess. Slice apples evenly for uniform cooking. Watch caramel closely to avoid burning. Let bars cool completely before slicing for clean edges. Bars taste even better the next day.

Nutrition

Keywords: apple pie bars, salted caramel, easy dessert, fall dessert, bake sale recipe, shortbread crust

Find it online: https://evadinnerideas.com/cozy-apple-pie-bars-with-salted-caramel-drizzle-the-best-easy-dessert/