Salted Caramel Apple Crumble Bars Recipe

Easy fall desserts don’t get much better than these Salted Caramel Apple Crumble Bars. With warm cinnamon-spiced apples, a buttery crumble topping, and a luscious drizzle of salted caramel, every bite tastes like autumn in dessert form. These bars are cozy, comforting, and the perfect sweet treat to make when apples are in season and the air is crisp.

Best of all? You don’t need fancy tools or complicated steps. From prep to oven, these crumble bars are ready in under an hour and make a great choice for potlucks, brunches, or snacking straight from the pan.

🍁 Why You’ll Love This Recipe

this recipe

• Simple and Quick: Made in under 1 hour, no chilling or advanced prep required.
• Classic Fall Flavors: Apples, cinnamon, nutmeg, and buttery crumble — a seasonal favorite.
• Perfect Texture: A soft crust, tender fruit, and golden crisp topping in every bite.
• Versatile: Great as a breakfast treat, dessert, or afternoon coffee pairing.
• Crowd-Pleaser: Easy to slice and share at holiday gatherings or casual get-togethers.

🛒 Ingredients

For the Crust and Crumble:

• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, melted
• 1½ cups granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 2½ cups all-purpose flour

For the Apple Filling:

• 3 cups apples, peeled and thinly sliced (about 3 medium)
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg

For the Topping:

• ½ cup salted caramel sauce (store-bought or homemade)

👩‍🍳 Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang for easy removal.
2. Make the crust and crumble:
   In a large bowl, mix melted butter, sugar, vanilla, and salt until smooth. Add flour and stir until crumbly. Press ⅔ of the mixture into the bottom of the prepared pan to form a crust.
3. Prepare the apple filling:
   In another bowl, toss sliced apples with cinnamon and nutmeg until evenly coated.
4. Assemble the layers:
   Spread the apple mixture evenly over the crust. Drizzle with caramel sauce. Sprinkle the remaining crumb mixture over the top.
5. Bake for 40–45 minutes, until the topping is golden brown and the apples are soft.
6. Cool completely in the pan before slicing into bars. This helps them set and slice cleanly.

🕒 Recipe Details

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 40–45 minutes
• Total Time: 55–60 minutes
• Yield: 24 bars
• Skill Level: Easy
• Category: Dessert
• Season: Fall

🔢 Nutrition Facts (Per Bar)

• Calories: 310
• Carbohydrates: 42g
• Sugar: 18g
• Fat: 15g
• Saturated Fat: 9g
• Protein: 2g
• Fiber: 2g
• Sodium: 150mg
• Cholesterol: 40mg

Note: Nutrition values are approximate.

💡 Tips & Variations

• Choose firm apples like Honeycrisp or Granny Smith for best texture.
• Add chopped nuts (like pecans or walnuts) to the crumble topping for crunch.
• Use homemade caramel for a deeper, richer flavor — or stick with a quality store-bought brand.
• Make it dairy-free by using plant-based butter and caramel alternatives.
• Enhance the spice with a pinch of ground cloves or allspice.

Salted Caramel Apple Crumble Bars Recipe

These Salted Caramel Apple Crumble Bars are an easy fall dessert made with spiced apples, a buttery crust, and gooey caramel. Perfect for parties or cozy weekends!

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 40 minutes mins

Total Time 55 minutes mins

Servings: 24

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Calories: 310

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

• #### Crust and Crumble:
• – 1 cup 2 sticks unsalted butter, melted
• – 1½ cups granulated sugar
• – 1 tsp vanilla extract
• – ½ tsp salt
• – 2½ cups all-purpose flour
• #### Apple Filling:
• – 3 cups apples peeled and thinly sliced
• – 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• – ¼ tsp ground nutmeg
• #### Topping:
• – ½ cup salted caramel sauce

Equipment

• Mixing bowls
• 9×13-inch baking pan
• Parchment paper
• – Knife for slicing apples

Method

 

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a 9×13 pan with parchment paper.
2. In a large bowl, mix melted butter, sugar, vanilla, and salt. Add flour and mix until crumbly.
3. Press ⅔ of the crumb mixture into the bottom of the pan.
4. In another bowl, toss apples with cinnamon and nutmeg.
5. Spread apple mixture evenly over the crust. Drizzle caramel on top.
6. Sprinkle remaining crumble on top.
7. Bake for 40–45 minutes, until golden brown.
8. Cool completely before cutting into bars.

Notes

– Use firm apples like Honeycrisp or Granny Smith.
– Optional: Add chopped nuts to topping.
– Store in fridge for up to 5 days or freeze for 2 months.
– Let bars cool fully before cutting for clean edges.

❓ FAQs

Can I use a different fruit instead of apples?
Yes! Pears or even peaches work beautifully — just adjust baking time as needed.

Can I freeze these bars?
Definitely. Freeze sliced bars individually wrapped, then place in an airtight container. Thaw in the fridge overnight.

How long do they stay fresh?
Store at room temperature for up to 2 days or in the fridge for 4–5 days. Reheat gently in a low oven to refresh.

What’s the best way to serve them?
Warm with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream — or serve chilled with hot tea or cider.

🎉 Conclusion

If you’re searching for easy fall desserts that hit all the right seasonal notes, these Salted Caramel Apple Crumble Bars are a must-try. They’re sweet, salty, spiced, and seriously comforting. Whether you’re hosting a brunch, planning a bake sale, or just treating yourself, this recipe brings the warmth of fall into every bite.