Get ready for the ultimate treat – these apple pie bars are going to blow your mind with their deliciousness!
Why are these homemade apple pie bars a must-have for your Thanksgiving table?
- Perfect for Thanksgiving feasts! Forget traditional apple pie – these bars are a delightful twist on a classic.
- They’re a breeze to whip up! No need to fuss with finicky pie crusts – these bars come together with a simple cookie crust and streusel topping.
- Indulge in a mouthwatering combination of flavors! From salted caramel sauce to a buttery cookie crust, crunchy streusel, and spiced apples – every bite is a taste sensation!
Apple Pie Bars
Ingredients
*For the Salted Caramel Sauce:*
- 1 cup of granulated white sugar about 200 grams
- 5 tablespoons of softened salted butter about 70 grams
- ½ cup of heavy cream at room temperature (about 120 milliliters)
- 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
- ¼ to ½ teaspoon of salt
*For the Shortbread Crust:*
- ½ cup of unsalted butter softened (about 112 grams)
- ¼ cup of packed brown sugar about 55 grams
- ⅓ cup of granulated white sugar about 67 grams
- 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
- 1 ½ cups of all-purpose flour spooned and leveled (about 188 grams)
- ¼ teaspoon of salt
*For the Streusel Topping:*
- 6 tablespoons of softened unsalted butter
- ½ cup of packed brown sugar about 110 grams
- ¾ cup of all-purpose flour spooned and leveled (about 94 grams)
- ¼ teaspoon of salt
- ½ teaspoon of ground cinnamon
*For the Apple Filling:*
- 5 cups of peeled and diced apples about 700 grams, approximately 4 large apples
- ½ cup of salted caramel sauce about 140 grams
- 2 teaspoons of ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon of ground nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon of ground allspice
- ½ teaspoon of ground ginger
- ⅛ teaspoon of ground cloves
Instructions
- First, let’s prepare the Salted Caramel Sauce. In a large saucepan, heat the granulated white sugar over medium-low heat until it melts and turns golden in color. This usually takes around 20 minutes.
- Once the sugar has melted, quickly add the softened butter and stir until incorporated. Then, pour in the heavy cream and continue stirring until well combined.
- Add the vanilla extract and salt, stirring to combine. Let the caramel sauce simmer for 2-3 minutes before removing it from the heat to cool completely.
- Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit and prepare a 9×9 metal baking pan by greasing it and lining the bottom and two sides with parchment paper.
- For the Shortbread Crust, cream together the softened butter, brown sugar, granulated sugar, and vanilla extract until light and fluffy. Then, mix in the flour and salt until crumbly, and press the dough into the prepared pan.
- Bake the crust for 12-15 minutes until lightly golden brown, then let it cool.
- Meanwhile, prepare the Streusel Topping by creaming together the butter and brown sugar, then adding the flour, salt, and cinnamon until large crumbs form. Place the streusel in the freezer while you work on the filling.
- For the Apple Filling, combine the diced apples, salted caramel sauce, and spices in a large saucepan. Cook over medium heat, covered, for 16-20 minutes until the apples are tender. Let them cool for 10 minutes.
- Assemble the bars by spreading the cooked apple mixture over the cooled crust, then sprinkle the streusel on top.
- Bake the bars for 30-35 minutes until lightly golden brown, then let them cool completely in the pan before cutting into 16 bars and drizzling with caramel sauce.