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Amazing Salted Caramel Apple Pie Bars: A Simply Perfect 3-Day Sweet Escape

Salted Caramel Apple Pie Bars
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These salted caramel apple pie bars offer a portable and delicious alternative to traditional apple pie. They feature a buttery shortbread base, a spiced apple filling, and a gooey caramel layer, all topped with a delightful crumble. These bars are easy to handle and packed with fall flavors.

Ingredients

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  • 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 6 medium apples, peeled, cored, and diced (about 6 cups)
  • 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
  • 1 cup store-bought or homemade caramel sauce
  • 1/2 teaspoon flaky sea salt, for topping

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a 9×13 inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the sides.
  2. For the shortbread base: In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. Stir in the vanilla extract. Gradually add the all-purpose flour and salt, mixing until just combined and a crumbly dough forms.
  3. Press the dough evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking pan. Bake for 15-18 minutes, or until lightly golden brown.
  4. While the base bakes, prepare the apple filling: In a large bowl, combine the diced apples, brown sugar, lemon juice, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. Mix well to coat the apples evenly.
  5. For the crumble topping: In a separate bowl, combine 1 cup of the shortbread dough mixture (reserved before pressing into the pan) with 1/4 cup of packed light brown sugar and 1/4 cup of all-purpose flour. Use your fingers to rub the ingredients together until a crumbly mixture forms.
  6. Once the shortbread base is out of the oven, spread the apple filling evenly over the warm base.
  7. Drizzle the caramel sauce generously over the apple filling.
  8. Sprinkle the crumble topping evenly over the caramel and apples.
  9. Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the apples are tender.
  10. Remove from the oven and sprinkle with flaky sea salt while still warm.
  11. Let the bars cool completely in the pan on a wire rack before lifting out by the parchment paper and cutting into squares.

Notes

  • Use firm, tart apples like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp for the best texture.
  • Ensure the shortbread base is still warm when adding the apple filling; this helps the layers meld together.
  • Cooling the bars completely is essential for clean cuts.
  • Store leftover bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://flavorvista.com/salted-caramel-apple-pie-bars-recipe/