Salted Caramel Apple Pie Bars! A treat that combines comfort and sophistication. They begin with a rich, buttery shortbread base that offers the perfect foundation. On top of that, you'll find a generous layer of spiced apples, gently sweetened with a luscious caramel sauce and a blend of aromatic spices. The final touch is another layer of golden, crisp shortbread, finished with a drizzle of salted caramel!

Salted caramel apple pie bars being stacked on top of each other on a white plate.

These salted caramel apple pie bars are not just delicious; they’re a testament to how a few simple ingredients can create something truly exceptional. Despite their flavor and texture, they are surprisingly straightforward to make! Whether you're hosting a Fall gathering or baking for yourself, these bars are a scrumptious choice that will make you happy!

Love treats like this? Check out my apple cinnamon pop tarts, whiskey salted caramel sauce, lard pie crust hand pies, spiced banana cake, pumpkin olive oil cake, pumpkin cake pops, heart thumbprint cookies, caramel mousse cake, pumpkin cheesecake no bake bars.

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Why you'll love this recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
Substitutions
Instructions
Pro tips
FAQ
Storage
Related
📖 Recipe

Why you'll love this recipe

Buttery Shortbread: The rich, melt-in-your-mouth shortbread base and topping provide a perfect, indulgent foundation and crunch.
Spiced Apples: The layer of spiced apples is both sweet and tangy, enhanced by a blend of aromatic spices that add warmth and that seasonal taste of Fall.
Ease of Preparation: Despite its gourmet taste, this recipe is surprisingly simple to make. The base and top is the same recipe, saving you time without compromising on flavor!
Caramel Drizzle: The finishing touch of salted caramel drizzle adds a luscious, sweet layer that perfectly complements the spiced apples and rich shortbread! Who doesn't love a caramel apple?

Caramel apple pie bars with salted caramel drizzled on top.

Equipment

A stand mixer or handheld mixer will make your life easier when creaming butter with sugar and adding flour! It is a great tool to have as a baker that will provide better results in the end.

Ingredients

What you'll need for apple caramel pie bars:

Apples (Honeycrisp and Granny Smith): A combination of these apples offers a perfect balance of sweetness and tartness, giving the bars a well-rounded apple flavor and ideal texture. I used apples from Meijer!
Spices: Essential for enhancing the apple filling, cinnamon and nutmeg provide warmth and depth, making each bite more flavorful.
Salted Caramel: Adds a rich and deep contrast to the spiced apples and buttery shortbread, elevating the overall taste with its salty flavor.
High-Quality Butter: Ensures a rich, buttery real taste and a tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture in both the shortbread base and topping.
All Purpose Flour: Provides structure and stability to the shortbread layers, creating the perfect crumbly, yet cohesive texture.
Cornstarch: This is for thickening the liquid, it a must and cannot be replaced.

See recipe card below for quantities.

Substitutions

Pecans or Walnuts: Add a nutty crunch and extra flavor by incorporating chopped pecans or walnuts into the apple layer or sprinkling them on top of the salted caramel apple pie bars.
Top with Vanilla Ice Cream: Serve the bars warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an awesome dessert that combines the rich flavors with creamy, cold contrast.
Add Cardamom: Introduce a unique, aromatic twist by adding a pinch of cardamom to the apple filling, it would enhance the spiced apple flavor with a hint of exotic warmth.

This salted caramel apple pie bar recipe has not been tested with other substitutions. These are just suggestions.

Instructions

Let's make apple pie bars!

Softened butter and sugars about to be mixed to make shortbread dough in a white bowl.

Step 1. Using a hand mixer or stand mixer cream the butter, powdered sugar, granulated sugar, and vanilla until fluffy, about 2 minutes.

Flour and salt being added to the butter and sugars to make shortbread.

Step 2. Whisk together the flour and salt, add it to the butter and sugar mixture in 2 separate batches, mixing until combined and a dough forms. Divide the dough in half. Press one half of the dough into the bottom of the pan, making sure to spread it out evenly. Bake for 20-25 minute or until very golden brown. The base must be golden brown or else the bars will be soggy.

Spices being added to apples in a bowl for apple pie bars.

Step 3.Mix together the sliced apples, cinnamon, nutmeg, cornstarch, and brown sugar until fully combined.

Salted caramel sauce being added to the sliced apples in a bowl for the apple caramel pie bars.

Step 4. Add the caramel sauce, mix until fully coated.

The sweetened and spiced apples being placed on top of the bottom shortbread layer.

Step 5. Pour the apple mixture over the bottom crust, spreading it out evenly.

Pieces of shortbread being placed on top of the apples before going in the oven.

Step 6. Using the other half of the dough, tear off medium pieces and place on top of the apples, distributing the pieces evenly over the top. Bake for 35-42 minutes are until golden brown. The top should be golden brown so the bars don't turn out soggy.

Hint: Make sure the parchment paper goes up and over the sides of the baking pan for easy removal and clean up!

Pro tips

Pre-Bake the Bottom Base: Bake the shortbread base until it’s very golden brown. This step is crucial; if you skip it, the bars can end up soggy because the filling will seep into the unbaked dough.
Slice Apples Thinly: Cut the apples into ¼-inch thick slices. This ensures they cook evenly and become tender, avoiding undercooked or tough apple pieces.
Bake Until Top is Golden Brown: Make sure the top layer of shortbread is golden brown before removing the bars from the oven. This will give them a crisp, firm texture and prevent them from being soft or undercooked.
Wait for Them to Cool Before Slicing: Allow the salted caramel apple pie bars to cool completely before cutting. This helps them set properly, making them easier to slice and ensuring that they hold their shape.

FAQ

Can I double this recipe?

I would make 2 batches instead of doubling this recipe because the center might night bake all of the way through and it will be too soft.

Do I have to peel my apples?

If you don't mind the skin on, then you don't have to! It's more of a preference.

What are the best apples for baking?

I love using a mix! Honey crisp, Granny Smith, Gala. I always use sweet apples mixed with tart apples.

Where can I find the salted caramel sauce recipe?

My spiced banana cake post has my salted caramel sauce recipe in the recipe card, you can find it here. If you like whiskey, check out my whiskey salted caramel sauce here.

Apple pie bars being held up to show the textures.

Storage

Refrigerator

Let the bars cool fully. If you like cold apple desserts, store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Room Temperature

Let the bars cool fully. Store in an airtight container on the counter for up to 3 days.

Freezer

Let the bars cool fully and store in an airtight container for up to 2 months.

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