Scrumptious Apple Crumble Bars: A Delightful Dessert for All Seasons

These Scrumptious Apple Crumble Bars are the perfect combination of a buttery crust, tender caramelized apples, and a crumbly, cinnamon-infused topping. Each layer of this dessert is meticulously crafted to deliver a symphony of flavors and textures, making every bite a delightful experience. The addition of a rich caramel sauce enhances the sweetness of the apples, creating a dessert that is both comforting and indulgent.

Why You’ll Love This: You’ll adore these Apple Crumble Bars for their perfect blend of flavors and textures. The buttery crust provides a solid base that beautifully contrasts with the tender, caramelized apple filling. The crumble topping adds a delightful crunch, infused with the warm flavors of cinnamon and brown sugar. The rich caramel sauce takes these bars to the next level, making them an irresistible treat. These bars are easy to make and perfect for any occasion, making them a favorite in your dessert rotation.

Perfect Occasion: These Apple Crumble Bars are ideal for any gathering where you want to impress your guests with a homemade dessert. They are perfect for holiday celebrations, family dinners, potlucks, or as a sweet treat to enjoy with a cup of coffee or tea. Their beautiful presentation and delicious flavor make them a standout dessert that will leave a lasting impression. They are also great for gifting, wrapped up in a beautiful box or tin.

Decoration Tips: For a professional finish, consider sprinkling the bars with powdered sugar once they have cooled completely. You can also drizzle some additional caramel sauce over the top for added indulgence. If you want to add a touch of elegance, garnish with a few thin apple slices or a sprinkle of cinnamon. To serve, cut the bars into neat squares and arrange them on a decorative platter or cake stand.

Apples:

• 4 cups (16 oz) chopped, peeled baking apples
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 1/2 tablespoons butter
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• Pinch of salt

1. In a large bowl, toss the chopped apples with lemon juice.
2. In a skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the apples, sugar, cinnamon, and a pinch of salt. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the apples are tender, about 10-12 minutes. Set aside to cool.

Crumble Topping:

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/3 cup brown sugar
• 3 tablespoons sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 6 tablespoons cold unsalted butter, cubed

1. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, brown sugar, sugar, cinnamon, and salt.
2. Work the cold butter into the flour mixture using a pastry blender or your fingertips until the mixture resembles wet sand. Press together to form 1/2-inch chunks.
3. Set aside in the refrigerator until ready to use.

Caramel Sauce:

• 20 caramel candies
• 1/4 cup heavy cream

1. In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt the caramel candies and heavy cream together, stirring until smooth.

Crust:

• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons powdered sugar (plus extra for sprinkling)
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line an 8-inch square baking pan with parchment paper.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, powdered sugar, baking powder, and salt.
3. In a large bowl, beat the softened butter until smooth. Add the flour mixture and beat just until the dough comes together.
4. Press the dough into the prepared baking pan. Bake until evenly light golden brown, about 20-22 minutes.
5. Top the baked crust with the cooked apples. Drizzle with the caramel sauce.
6. Top with the crumble topping and return to the oven. Continue baking until the topping is golden brown and the filling starts to bubble, about 25-28 minutes.
7. Let cool in the pan. Sprinkle with powdered sugar before serving.

Enjoy!