Description
These Easy Caramel Apple Bars combine tender spiced apples, rich dulce de leche, and a buttery shortbread crust into a portable, sliceable dessert that captures all the flavor of a classic caramel apple — without the mess.
Ingredients
- Nonstick cooking spray
- 2 sticks (8 ounces) unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup (107g) light brown sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 2 1/2 cups (300g) all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 2 large apples (about 14 ounces total), cored, peeled, and thinly sliced
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 2 teaspoons apple pie spice
- 1 (13.4-ounce) can dulce de leche or caramel sauce (about 1 cup), divided
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Spray an 8×8-inch baking pan with nonstick spray and line with parchment paper, leaving overhang for easy removal.
- In a large bowl, beat the butter, brown sugar, salt, and cinnamon until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes.
- Add the flour and baking powder, and mix on low speed until a crumbly dough forms.
- Press about two-thirds of the dough (roughly 2 1/2 cups) into the prepared pan to form the crust. Reserve the remaining dough for the topping. Bake for 15 minutes.
- While the crust bakes, toss sliced apples with cornstarch and apple pie spice. Stir in 2/3 cup of the dulce de leche until apples are evenly coated.
- Spread the apple-caramel mixture over the baked crust. Crumble the reserved dough over the top.
- Bake for 30–35 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown.
- Cool completely in the pan for about 1 hour.
- Warm the remaining dulce de leche in the microwave in short bursts until thin enough to drizzle.
- Drizzle over the cooled bars, slice into squares, and serve.
Notes
- Use Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or Pink Lady apples for best flavor and texture balance.
- Chill the bars before slicing for clean, even cuts.
- Add 1/2 cup of chopped nuts or rolled oats to the crumb topping for extra texture.
- Store leftovers in the fridge and reheat gently for a warm treat.
- Double the recipe for a 9×13-inch pan and adjust baking time accordingly.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 22g
- Sodium: 140mg
- Fat: 16g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 42g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 40mg
