Description
These Salted Caramel Apple Bars combine the warmth of spiced apples with a luscious caramel swirl, all baked into a buttery, tender bar. Topped with flaky sea salt, these bars balance sweet and salty flavors perfectly, making them an irresistible treat for fall or any time you crave a comforting dessert.
Ingredients
Scale
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 2 large eggs
Dry Ingredients
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Fillings and Toppings
- 3 large apples, peeled, cored, and chopped
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1/4 cup caramel sauce
- Flaky sea salt for topping
Instructions
- Prepare baking dish: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line a 9×13-inch baking dish with parchment paper, leaving an overhang for easy removal of the bars after baking.
- Mix wet ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the melted butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar, and vanilla extract. Whisk them together until smooth and well incorporated.
- Add eggs: Add the eggs one at a time to the sugar mixture, beating well after each addition until fully combined and the batter is smooth.
- Combine dry ingredients: In a separate bowl, sift together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt to ensure even distribution and to aerate.
- Mix dry into wet: Gradually add the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients, mixing gently until just combined to avoid overmixing which can toughen the bars.
- Prepare apples: In another bowl, toss the peeled, cored, and chopped apples with ground cinnamon and nutmeg until the apples are evenly coated with the spices.
- Fold apples into batter: Gently fold the spiced apples into the batter, distributing them evenly without crushing the pieces.
- Transfer to baking dish: Spread the batter evenly into the prepared baking dish, smoothing the top with a spatula for an even surface.
- Add caramel swirl: Drizzle the caramel sauce evenly over the top of the batter. Use a knife or skewer to gently swirl the caramel into the batter to create a marbled effect.
- Bake: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 35-40 minutes, or until the edges turn golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Finish and cool: Remove from the oven and immediately sprinkle flaky sea salt over the warm bars. Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack before cutting and serving.
Notes
- Use firm apples like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp for the best texture.
- Caramel sauce can be store-bought or homemade for a richer flavor.
- Ensure not to overmix the batter after adding flour to keep the bars tender.
- Allow bars to cool completely before cutting to ensure clean slices.
- These bars can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
