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Caramel Apple Pie Bars

Close-up of a caramel apple pie bar with a crumbly topping drizzled with caramel sauce.
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Enjoy the classic flavors of apple pie in an easy-to-eat bar format with a buttery shortbread crust and a sweet caramel drizzle.

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
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 4 cups thinly sliced apples (about 4 medium apples, Honeycrisp or Gala recommended)
  • 1/4 cup packed light brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1/4 cup caramel sauce, plus more for drizzling
  • 1/4 cup chopped pecans or walnuts (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour an 8×8 inch baking pan.
  2. In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the vanilla extract.
  3. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour and salt. Gradually add the flour mixture to the butter mixture, mixing until just combined to form a dough.
  4. Press about two-thirds of the dough evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking pan to form the crust.
  5. In a medium bowl, toss the sliced apples with the brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
  6. Spread the apple mixture evenly over the crust. Drizzle 1/4 cup of caramel sauce over the apples.
  7. Crumble the remaining one-third of the dough over the apples. Sprinkle with chopped nuts, if using.
  8. Bake for 40-50 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the apples are tender.
  9. Let the bars cool completely in the pan on a wire rack. This is important for clean slicing.
  10. Once cooled, drizzle with additional caramel sauce. Cut into bars.

Notes

  • For the neatest slices, chill the bars in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before cutting.
  • These bars can be made ahead and stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or in the refrigerator for up to a week.
  • They also freeze well. Wrap individual bars tightly in plastic wrap and then place them in a freezer bag for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://kingscook.com/caramel-apple-pie-bars/