Caramel Apple Bars

5 from 6 votes

Our Caramel Apple Bars have a buttery, brown sugar shortbread base and golden brown caramel streusel topping surround the sweet apple pie filling to create the perfect scent of autumn and a cinnamon spice you’ll savor all season.

Prep Time20

Cook Time40

Total Time1

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Servings: bars

Calories: 296kcal

Author: Jennifer Fishkind

Ingredients

For the Shortbread Layer:

½ cup (1 stick) salted butter softened
½ cup dark brown sugar lightly packed
1½ cups all-purpose flour spooned and leveled

For the Filling:

30 ounces (1½ cans) apple pie filling

For the Streusel:

¾ cup dark brown sugar lightly packed
1 cup all-purpose flour spooned and leveled
½ tsp cinnamon
6 tbsp cold salted butter cut into 1” cubes
½ cup caramel syrup plus more for topping

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and spray a 9x13 inch baking pan with cooking spray.
For the shortbread layer, use a mixer to beat the salted butter, and dark brown sugar together until creamy and fluffy, about 3-5 minutes.
Beat in the all-purpose flour until combined. You should have a crumbly dough.
Press into the bottom of the 9x13 inch baking pan and bake in the oven for 15-20 minutes.
Remove the pan with the shortbread layer from the oven and set it aside.
Turn the oven up to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
Pour the apple pie filling onto the shortbread layer in the pan and spread it out evenly.
Prepare the streusel by whisking the dark brown sugar, all-purpose flour, and cinnamon together. Cut the cold butter into the mixture.
Top the apple pie filling with the streusel mixture. Drizzle caramel syrup over the entire dish and then bake in the oven for 25-30 minutes or until the streusel has turned golden brown.
Plate and serve warm. Drizzle additional caramel sauce over the top if desired.

Notes

Storage:

To Store: To store, put these bars in an airtight container and keep in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
To Freeze: Freeze these bars in plastic wrapping for up to 3 months.
To Reheat: Thaw frozen bars overnight in the refrigerator before serving and drizzling with caramel.

Tips:

Feel free to use parchment paper in the baking dish with overhanging sides for easy removal.

Nutrition