Ingredients
– For the crust:
– 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
– ½ cup granulated sugar
– ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
– 1 large egg
– ¼ teaspoon salt
– For the apple filling:
– 3 cups peeled and diced apples (such as Granny Smith or Honeycrisp)
– ½ cup brown sugar, packed
– 1 tablespoon lemon juice
– 1 teaspoon cinnamon
– ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
– 1 tablespoon cornstarch
– For the salted caramel:
– 1 cup granulated sugar
– 6 tablespoons unsalted butter
– ½ cup heavy cream
– 1 teaspoon sea salt
Instructions
Here’s how to make your own Salted Caramel Apple Pie Bars:
1. Preheat your oven: Preheat to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8×8-inch baking dish with parchment paper, leaving an overhang for easy removal.
2. Prepare the crust: In a medium bowl, combine flour, sugar, melted butter, egg, and salt. Mix until the dough is well combined and forms a ball.
3. Press the crust: Firmly press the dough into the bottom of the prepared baking dish, spreading it evenly with your fingers or a spatula.
4. Pre-bake the crust: Bake the crust for 15 minutes or until lightly golden. Remove from the oven and set aside to cool slightly.
5. Mix the apple filling: In a large bowl, toss the diced apples with brown sugar, lemon juice, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cornstarch until well combined.
6. Add the apple filling: Spread the apple mixture evenly over the pre-baked crust, ensuring all apples are covered.
7. Bake the apple layer: Bake for another 20-25 minutes, or until the apples are tender and the crust is golden brown.
8. Make the caramel: In a small saucepan, combine granulated sugar over medium heat. Allow it to melt without stirring until it turns a light amber color.
9. Incorporate butter and cream: Once melted and caramelized, remove from heat and quickly whisk in the butter and heavy cream. Add salt and stir until smooth.
10. Drizzle caramel over apples: Pour the salted caramel over the baked apple layer, spreading it evenly with a spatula.
11. Cool the dessert: Let the bars cool in the pan at room temperature for about 15-20 minutes. For best results, refrigerate for an hour before slicing.
12. Slice and serve: Use the parchment overhang to lift the bars out of the pan. Slice into squares and enjoy!
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30-35 minutes
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 16 squares
- Calories: 250 kcal
- Fat: 11g
- Protein: 2g